There was talk of size 2 suiting popping up at H&M stores in the forum and Facebook, and luckily, there happens to be a H&M on my way home from work. Up until recently, H&M suiting only went down to a size 4, which is about 1-2 sizes too big for me depending on the style and cut. Yesterday I scoured the sales floor for this new size, and ended up finding only two suiting separates in the entire store! Amazingly, they matched! I also picked up a button down shirt from a few options that had the best fit.
What’s great about H&M suiting is it’s inexpensive, so women entering the workforce, switching careers, or just short on cash can get a matching suit for cheap. For example, all three pieces I bought came to $110 before taxes.
However I tend to avoid H&M for anything more than layering tops because I hate the way the items wear out, am easily put off by messy hems and puckered stitching, and end up dissatisfied with the fit.
Here is a quick tossing together of the pieces I picked up after a few adjustments to make the suit look a little better on me:
In the picture above, I had to tuck in the button down shirt, roll the jacket sleeves, roll the button down sleeves, and fold up the pant hems to make the suit look semi-decent.
Lots more pictures and a breakdown of the different pieces after the jump!
Here’s the suit it it’s natural state, without any rolling or hem folding:
Pretty “eh” right?
First, let’s take a closer look at the button down shirt in size 2:
The button down is not too bad. I had to try on a few different shirts to find this one, since most of them fit a little funny. The biggest problem I had with the button downs was the waists were too low, so they bunched up at my shoulder making the shirt poof in back. The waist on this shirt was higher, so it lays flatter across my shoulders. The sleeves are too long, but they are also cut slim, which is nice. The shoulders could also be narrower. Not a perfect fit, but it would do in a pinch, especially when worn under a jacket or sweater.
Next, let’s look at the jacket in size 2:
The jacket is a little wide in the shoulder, but isn’t entirely bad from the front. Where it becomes a big ol’ mess is in the back. The extra width in the shoulder and across the back is very visible from behind. This jacket tricked me because in the store dressing room, I thought it was kinda cute. Then I got it home, took some pictures, and realized it was not very flattering at all. I would also like to see the sleeves slimmer.
What I did like was the inside details. The lining is really cute, and it even has an inside pocket! Nice detail H&M!
Now…let’s take a look at the pants in size 2:
The pants were awful! First of all…holy Steve Urkel pant rise! If I were to sit down, These suckers would end up at my throat somewhere (only a slight exaggeration). Then, just take a look at the mess of pulling and folding in the crotch! That’s a horrible fit!
Things are no better off from the back. Notice the puckering along the waistband and pockets, and how wide apart the buttons are. And see all that wrinkling around the back on my knees? That’s from me crouching down for one whole minute to fold the pant hems under. If that bad of wrinkling occurred from crouching down for one minute, imagine sitting in an office chair all day. You’d look a wrinkly mess!
The one good thing about the pants were they actually fit in the waist, probably because the material is a bit stretchy.
Verdict: H&M suiting can do in a pinch, but buyer beware. The cheap fabrics will wrinkle like crazy, and the fit is definitely not the best. The best item was by far the button down shirt, which was by no means perfect.
However, just because this suit did not work for my body type, doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else. I also wish I could have tried different styles, but since this was the only size 2 I could find, it’s all I’ve got to go by. Maybe I just need a different cut. Regardless, it’s still nice that H&M started carrying size 2 in the first place!
Anyone else have experience with H&M suiting? Is the fit any better for you than it was for me?
Yay! I've been meaning to do this post for a while just to showcase the fit, but didn't want to go through the purchase-just-to-return process again. I feel like all my local retailers know me and my evil pile of returns!
I think the dress shirt in sz 2 is a go for women our size in need of basic button-ups. It fits pretty decently on you! The suiting, however … or at least the one in the pics …I have to say the material and cut look terrible! Although I would never shop for suits at H&M again after discovering Theory, I do want to vouch that not all their suiting looks like this. My first suit ever was from H&M (skirt suit) and the material was actually quite decent, so I guess it is hit or miss and also dependent on how good of a selection your store carries.
As for the fit of the pants … petites should definitely try H&M skirt coordinates instead of pants. A sz 2 skirt was a little snug on me, but it fit much better than their pants.
I like the button down and that's about it. The fabric of the suiting looks thin and cheap and the oversized fit is just matronly. Yuck! I have found that clothes from H&M last a few washings and that's it. Hems unravel, buttons come off…
PAG – I'll do your snoop shopping for you, they don't know me yet.
AN – I am curious about your body proportions (my research involves, among other things, measuring body segment lengths of females and comparing dimensions and ratios). This was how I discovered my freakishly long arms (I always thought they were long because in yoga class it was difficult to sit in staff post with hands flat on the floor and arms straight, and now I know why).
I am curious to see if you have proportions that are unique or more in line with what we typically see in female skeletons. It seems like you have really short arms based on this photo; also with your issues of rise being too long on pants, I am guessing your pelvis is shallower than most, which would really require very short rise in pants (what would be indecent on a normal person is probably full coverage on you).
Maybe I can use my research methods, get all the petite girls measurements and come up with some sort of a prediction equation for determining whether or not things will fit without actually trying them on.
PAG – Hmmm…didn't try the suiting skirts, but I would image those would work b/c I've tried some casual skirts from H&M and they fit me really snug right on my high waist, which is pretty tiny if you ask me.
I have two H&M's near me…so I'm being stealthy and returning my items to the one I didn't buy from…lol.
Lisa – Yup, I usually stick to basic T's and tanks from H&M, those things that don't matter if they get all icky b/c you have to rotate new ones into your wardrobe every so often anyways.
Kerry – Interesting. I would agree with you about the pants. I do need low rise pants to fit me normally, but I always thought it was because I have a short torso, so all my torso measurements are squished. My neckline, waist and rise are all short, on top to being only 4'11", so they're REALLY short. 7-7.5 inch rises are usually my sweet spot. As for arms, I definitely have long arms for my height. I haven't measured them, but they've always felt lanky to me, and I've secretly always wanted more feminine shorter arms. Maybe the cut of the jacket made them look shorter? Or the camera angle?
Either way, I'd be happy to be a measurement guinea pig for you. =)
Kerry – haha, research away! I'll be happy to measurements as well for your experiments.
PAG – Hmmm…didn't try the suiting skirts, but I would image those would work b/c I've tried some casual skirts from H&M and they fit me really snug right on my high waist, which is pretty tiny if you ask me.
I have two H&M's near me…so I'm being stealthy and returning my items to the one I didn't buy from…lol.
Lisa – Yup, I usually stick to basic T's and tanks from H&M, those things that don't matter if they get all icky b/c you have to rotate new ones into your wardrobe every so often anyways.
Kerry – Interesting. I would agree with you about the pants. I do need low rise pants to fit me normally, but I always thought it was because I have a short torso, so all my torso measurements are squished. My neckline, waist and rise are all short, on top to being only 4'11", so they're REALLY short. 7-7.5 inch rises are usually my sweet spot. As for arms, I definitely have long arms for my height. I haven't measured them, but they've always felt lanky to me, and I've secretly always wanted more feminine shorter arms. Maybe the cut of the jacket made them look shorter? Or the camera angle?
Either way, I'd be happy to be a measurement guinea pig for you. =)
Yay! I've been meaning to do this post for a while just to showcase the fit, but didn't want to go through the purchase-just-to-return process again. I feel like all my local retailers know me and my evil pile of returns!
I think the dress shirt in sz 2 is a go for women our size in need of basic button-ups. It fits pretty decently on you! The suiting, however … or at least the one in the pics …I have to say the material and cut look terrible! Although I would never shop for suits at H&M again after discovering Theory, I do want to vouch that not all their suiting looks like this. My first suit ever was from H&M (skirt suit) and the material was actually quite decent, so I guess it is hit or miss and also dependent on how good of a selection your store carries.
As for the fit of the pants … petites should definitely try H&M skirt coordinates instead of pants. A sz 2 skirt was a little snug on me, but it fit much better than their pants.
I like the button down and that's about it. The fabric of the suiting looks thin and cheap and the oversized fit is just matronly. Yuck! I have found that clothes from H&M last a few washings and that's it. Hems unravel, buttons come off…
do you know where i can find that blazer online? it’s not on the h&m online store!
Hi! I found that blazer in H&M way back in March of 2010, so it’s probably not around anymore. H&M always has similar blazer options, especially once fall merchandise starts rolling in. I’m sure if you check back, you can find one that’s pretty close.
Thanks!