“H&M: You Need to do Something About This”

Okay H&M. My plans for today did not include posting my less-than-ideal body all over social media for everyone to see (and judge) but f**k it, I’m almost 31, married and have a happy life so there’s nothing to lose… writes South African writer, Jessica Everson.

But there are people out there who aren’t happy, especially with how they look. Truth: I’m not exactly ecstatic either – I’m on medication that causes weight gain (for life, added bonus, due to an autoimmune disease) and I’ve started exercising to try lose those extra kilos I know I need to – but I’ve accepted who I am, and try to dress according to my body shape… so I can still look in the mirror and have those “yaaaassss queen” moments.

I did not have one of those moments when I looked in your mirror.

The skirt I’m “wearing” was a size 38. A size I often wear without an issue. On good days, I’m even a size 36. But not at your store. Oh no. At your store, a size 38 made me feel like a beluga whale after attending an all you can eat fish buffet.

My hips felt like one of those animals you see caught in a fence on animal rescue shows. My arse was attempting prison break, season 8. Realistically, I would have had to have tried on a size 42 to even get the zip closed.

Do you know how that makes a woman feel?

Imagine how a teenager, going through puberty and already being teased for not being super skinny would feel being forced to go two sizes up just to get the garment to fit?! Imagine how many self esteems have been shattered in your changing rooms and how many girls have left a “fun shopping spree” with nothing but shame and self-hate to show for it.

You need to do something about this, H&M.

You need to change your sizes to a more realistic standard and help girls feel awesome in your clothing – even if they have a bit of puppy fat or curves. Make shopping a fun treat again.

Not for me, because I’m too old to care, but for the young women who still believe that the number on a label is the difference between being accepted or shunned by society.

TL;DR [Too Long; Didn’t Read]: thanks for making me feel like Fatty McFatFat, H&M. Not cool.

Jessica Everson is a senior writer at FCB Africa in Johannesburg, and has nothing to promote other than self-love and acceptance. This post is published with her kind permission.