A River Island shopper was stunned when four pairs of the same size jeans she ordered arrived in 'completely different' sizes - with one even appearing 'half' the size of another. Zoe Evans was doing a spot of online shopping and was on the hunt for some new denim when she ordered four pairs of size 18 high-waisted straight jeans from the high street fashion brand.
But when they arrived the 29-year-old claims there was a massive size discrepancy between all four pairs - despite them all sharing the same size label. Despite forking out around £170 on the order, the mum-of-two claims she didn't even bother trying on the smallest-looking pair and only the largest were true to size.
A 'frustrated' Zoe believes such inconsistencies could be upsetting for body conscious women so turned to Facebook to voice her discontent - with plenty of users echoing her sentiment. The discrepancies were branded as 'ridiculous' and 'disgusting', with one saying they could be a cause for women going on strict diets and another revealing it's precisely why she 'hates' shopping.
The 'mind-blowing' photo captured by the mum-of-two reveals four pairs of different coloured jeans neatly lined up on her bed with strikingly different-sized waists. River Island apologised for Zoe's 'disappointing' experience and said all of their products are fitted on a live model and cross-checked for consistency.
Zoe, of Bargoed, Caerphilly, south Wales, said: "I ordered four pairs of jeans from River Island all on the same day and in the same size, an 18. And all four pairs of jeans came completely different sizes but labelled size 18.
"They ranged massively. It wasn't even a small difference between each pair - one pair of jeans was half the size of the other. There's just no way it's a size 18 and I think as lots of people are body conscious it's important to adhere to regulations, especially size regulations because it is very deceiving.
"They were around £45 a pair, so they're not cheap jeans and you'd expect them to be made to a high standard and according to size. I got the size that looked like an 18 on - the biggest size, which I would say is a size 18.
"The other sizes were definitely not, I think. In regards to the picture, it looks as though the sizes are a 12, 14, 16 and 18, but they are all a size 18. I didn't even try on the smallest-looking pair."
Zoe, who works in HR admin, said she'd previously donned River Island dresses and tops with no problems but this was her first time buying jeans from the clothing brand. The fashion lover claims she complained to River Island via e-mail but received an automated response a day or to later saying they were unable to solve her query within 24 or 48 hours.
Zoe said: "I was annoyed because evidently, they're not all the same size. It made me feel frustrated. I spent £170 on jeans and only one pair was the actual size that I wanted and fitted, even though they were all apparently a size 18.
"Lots of people are conscious of size, women particularly are body conscious. So say for example you were a size 20, wanted to drop a dress size and you ordered a pair of size 18 jeans, you would have felt good if you fitted in them but to receive the smallest pair then, it's unbelievable.
"I think it would be upsetting. When you fit into a smaller size you do feel better, especially if you've consciously been trying to lose weight but to fit into the smallest pair, I think you'd be half my size."
Zoe shared a photo of the jeans online which has amassed more than 210 likes, comments and shares. One commenter said: "It's disgusting no wonder women feel sh*t about themselves. It's ridiculous. I mean look at that last pair they are tiny like. I can't believe they are all from the same shop as well absolutely mind blowing."
Another added: "No wonder women feel so bloody insecure!"
A third remarked: "Who the f*ck crafted the blue jeans...The guy with they dodgey eye off Harry f**in Potter. Size 18 my a***."
A forth wrote: "That's ridiculous!"
Another said: "Oh my goodness!!! What on earth? That's so bad!!
"No wonder why women beat themselves up about their size thinking they've gained weight etc and put themselves on strict diets feeling insecure and depressed about themselves. This is probably one of the highest reasons why."
A sixth commenter said: "Absolutely disgusting this is why women beat themselves up and get upset. Going in all shops to find something that fits. I hate shopping for this very reason."
A River Island spokesperson said: "We are sorry the customer had a disappointing shopping experience.
"River Island sizing is based on standard body measurements and grading increments which are regularly cross-checked to the latest sizing information, and the wider market to ensure we are aligned.
"All our product is fitted on a live model, reflective of our body measurements and the specifications are set with our suppliers. We regularly review our fit across all product and sizes to verify consistency, and more recently, we have carried out denim-specific fit reviews to ensure we are being as consistent and inclusive as possible."
