Fury as H&M makes female customers feel “vulnerable” with gender-neutral fitting rooms

H&M has been criticized for making female customers feel “vulnerable” with gender-neutral fitting rooms across its stores.

The clothing giant, which is hugely popular with teenagers and younger women, says its “dressing rooms are for everyone” and it strives to be “inclusive”.

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However, critics say women would worry about changing when men are around.

Our reporter visited the Swedish company’s three-story store at the Bluewater shopping center in Kent, and when she asked a staff member if the spaces were for men or women, the clerk said, “It’s for everyone.”

Rooms have only one curtain for privacy, with a gap of about a foot and a half at the bottom, rather than a door with a lock.

Customer Maisie Marshall, 19, said: “I avoid trying on clothes at H&M because of this.

“I feel vulnerable when I undress while men are just a few feet away doing the same.”

Other stores like Primark have eliminated gender-specific locker rooms.

Ex-Tory MP Ann Widdecombe fumed: “Women don’t want to be stripped down to their underwear and possibly find a man walking in.

“This is political correctness at the expense of common sense.”

H&M said: “Our fitting rooms are for everyone and we always want our customers to feel welcome.”