'Dear H&M, am I too fat for your clothes?'

You know the feeling. You’ve managed to pull the jeans up. They’re the last pair, they’re ON SALE, they’re perfect. Or they would be if you could just get them done up.

For most of us, losing the change-room zipper wrestle is a reason to sulk on the home. But H&M customer Ruth Clemens had a different response – she took a photograph of her struggle and shared it with the world via the brand’s Facebook page.

“Dear H&M,” she posted. “I was browsing your sale items in your Leeds store and spotted this pair of kick flare jeans. They were only a tenner – bargain! – and a size 16. I’m normally a size 14 on my hips (occasionally 16 if buying trousers) so I thought I’d try them on. It did not go well.

As I’m sure you’re aware, size 16 is the largest size you stock (apart from in your plus size range, which is very limited in store and does not offer the range of styles for the fashion-conscious that are available in smaller sizes).

I am not overweight (not that that should matter) and although I’m 5 foot 11 my body is pretty average shape-wise. It’s already difficult enough for me to find clothes that fit well because of my height, why are you making jeans that are unrealistically small? Am I too fat for your everyday range? Should I just accept that accessible and affordable high street and on-trend fashion isn’t for people like me?

You might recognise the top I’m wearing – it’s one of yours and it’s a size Medium. Sort it out would you.”

“This so ridiculously true!!” wrote one commenter. “I am typically a size 12 and some of the size 16 clothing didn’t even fit me. I am never shopping there again because I will not be made to feel bigger than what I am!”

“Doesn’t just happen to lasses,” wrote another. “They don’t do clothes to fit me in H&M, think max size in jeans is a 34, and I’m a xxl shirt and they never have them, (that’s if they make them at all.)”

H&M was quick to respond.

“Hi Ruth, thank you so much for your feedback. We are sorry to hear about your experience in store recently. We always want our customers to have an enjoyable time when shopping in store and to leave feeling confident in themselves. At H&M we make clothing for all our stores around the world, so the sizing can vary depending on the style, cut and fabric. We value all feedback and will take on board the points you and other customers have raised.”

You do that H&M.