By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published May 16, 2013 at 2:03 PM

Shopping habits are changing, and as Milwaukee's retail landscape continues to evolve OnMilwaukee.com is pulling out the credit card for a full week of retail, shopping and commerce content. Stories about local stores, national retailers, online shopping and more. OnMilwaukee.com "Retail Week" will highlight shopping through a creative and diverse lens.

As the new Pfister Narrator, I have been spending time at the beautiful Pfister Hotel. Consequently, I invested in a few items to spruce up the wardrobe.

I buy most of my clothing second hand, but I decided to try a few affordable new-clothing stores, too. So I asked around. Multiple women suggested H&M, Target and Kohl’s Department Store.

I don’t like malls or shopping, so I decided to check out these stores in one swoop to get it over with. I started at H&M. Indeed, I found some items I liked. And the prices were pretty good.

I was excited to find slightly upscale attire that still had edge. Like dress pants with a subtle skull print and black, vaguely Gothy tops.

But my enthusiasm waned behind the dressing room door.

Ninety-eight percent of my wardrobe is a size 6, and so, naturally, that’s the size I grabbed at H&M. However, I could barely pull the pants above my knees. So I got an 8. Better, but still too small. 

I thought about grabbing a 10, but then I got annoyed. It’s not that a size 10 is upsetting to me – it’s an average size for a woman – but I realized that if scrawny ol’ me needs to try on clothing that’s two sizes or more larger than her usual size, what does this mean for women who are a 10 or a 12? Do they grab a 14 or 16 at H&M?

Does H&M even carry a 16?

I ran this by a couple of other women and both agreed that the sizing at H&M runs small. A male coworker said he noticed the same thing in the men’s clothing.

I’m not suggesting vanity sizing where I miraculously fit into a size 0, but H&M’s sizing seems unfair. Especially for women who already struggle with body acceptance. (Ahem, most of us.)

Interestingly, I went to Target and Kohl’s following my trip to H&M (where I bought nothing because I was so frustrated with the sizing) and I easily fit into a size 6 again.

I just don’t get it H&M.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.