I’m a size 12 and this is how the jeans REALLY differ from store to store (and not even to mention Zara), says TOWIE’s Maria Fowler

Have you ever tried on a size 12 jeans at Next, before going the same size at Zara and couldn’t wear them past your knees?

That’s a problem many women have to deal with when they go shopping – due to the significant size disparity between stores.

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Ex The Only Is Is Essex star Maria Fowler, who has reinvented herself as a role model for body positivity since leaving the show, took to her Instagram page recently to share a videotapes she is buying a size 12 jeans at four different stores.

“I went to try on size 12 jeans in different stores,” she explains. “I wanted to see how they really fit, no matter what dress size you’re in.

“You might wonder why one minute everything fits, and two months later, you can’t even pull those jeans up.”

First, Maria went to H&M, to try on a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans.

“This is H&M,” she said. “I am 12 UK.

“I’ve got two kids and they don’t fit in. I wanted to show you that on the highway, if you feel fart in the dressing room, it’s not you – it’s them.”

Next is Zara – a store famous for its small scale.

And, unsurprisingly, Maria could barely fasten the jeans from there.

But when she tried on a pair of Next’s size 12 jeans, they fit perfectly – with a lot of room.

And same thing with her picks from New Look – she can install them easily.

“I can laugh it off now, but for a lot of women, it’s not easy,” she sighed.

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“I hope this video reminds you – size is just a number. We need to ignore the size stated on these labels. Because these companies are inconsistent.

“We need to tell our daughters, our friends, our mothers, our sisters – that our worth is not based on the size of our clothes.

“So next time you go shopping and you can’t figure out why the jeans don’t fit, just remember that it’s not you – it’s them.”

In the caption for the video on Instagram, Maria explains that she “used to not buy clothes all the way up.

“I used to feel ashamed, embarrassed, insecure. And now thanks to the power of the internet, I realize this is a huge thing that a lot of women are paying attention to and marking.”

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“I hope highlighting this reminds you that if you can’t fit that jeans or dress, please go up a size and don’t feel uncomfortable doing so.”

Maria was quickly praised by fans for sharing her video, with one saying: “Love this! I always walk out of Zara feeling bloated and want to go home and eat well, so this video shows all the different sizes.”

Another added: “Exactly why I hate shopping. I was literally in tears and feeling frustrated in the dressing room.

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“It’s very misleading but still makes you feel terrible. And don’t make me start with terrible light!!!

“Good job highlighting this, I’m sure most women have struggled.”

“This is the most amazing thing I’ve seen today,” wrote a third.

In other fashion news, Rochelle Humes presented This Morning in an absolutely stunning £28 dress.

DIY fans are Turn Ikea units into gorgeous walk-in closets.

And this woman was went downhill after not being able to fit her breasts into a dress she bought online.