Here's how size 12 jeans in New Look, H&M and more compare against each other

Jeans shopping is often one of the most stressful types of shopping, but unfortunately for most people the casual trousers are a huge part of their wardrobe.  

Whether you like to shell out a lot for a pair of jeans or you prefer to opt for a cheaper variety, the sizing can be difficult to figure out.   

So a reporter for our sister title BristolLive headed out onto the high street to see how the same size jeans at different shops compare. This is what she found:

H&M 

Skinny regular waist - £19.99   

These jeans were marked as being 'super stretch' - and my body forced them to prove it. 

They would *just* about do up, but I wouldn't want to sit down to eat in them.

H&M didn't fare too well. (Briana Millett)

The fabric was comfortable, soft and stretchy, so I felt like they'd give to fit nicely in time - but I fear I'd be running the risk of the slightly-too-tight jeans ripping at the seams on the inner thigh. 

The size 14 pair were, of course, too big.

The verdict: For £20, I'd give them a go to see how they moulded/stretched.  

Topshop 

Jamie jeans (£42) and Mom jeans (£40)   

Topshop was a place of high highs and low lows. 

I went for two different styles, the Jamie and the Mom.

Jamie jeans were given a thumbs up. (Briana Millett)

It turns out, me and Jamie are pals. The size 12 (or 30-inch) pair fit like a glove and zipped up with a little room for lunch. 

The jeans had a nice high rise, which I like, and plenty of stretch - all in all, a winner. 

But Mom hates me. 

Yep, the same size, in the same shop, and things could not have gone worse. Those things wouldn't rise above my lower thigh.

Verdict: The Jamie jeans fit great but their quality didn't appear overly different to H&M's £20 pair, but were priced at more than double.   

New Look 

India £22.99   

New Look had loads of options, but I went for a trusty pair of high-rise skinny jeans - the India (does anyone know when we started naming Jean styles? what happened to 'Bootcut'?)

New Look jeans were too big. (Briana Millett)

These were perhaps my least favourite of the bunch - they were just too big. They sagged around my thighs and crotch. 

The size 10 fit OK, but the denim felt quite thin and I didn't trust it to keep its shape. 

Verdict: A size down might have done the trick, but these were my least favourite.  

Levis  

721 High Rise Skinny -  £85   

Wall to wall denim greeted me when I walked in to Levis. Honestly, it was intimidating. 

After the helpful staff talked me through the styles and sizing I worked out a 30-inch pair is equivalent to a 12 and off I went to the fitting rooms.

Levis were a winner. (Briana Millett)

I tried on a lovely light blue denim pair which I immediately loved. The fabric was soft, felt of a high quality and they fit perfectly. 

BUT I then tried a black pair which just about zipped up but severely damaged my organs (I was told the black dye makes jeans smaller). I went up to 31 inches (a good thing about Levis is they do those 'in between' sizes) and they fit just fine. 

Now, it was time to meet my nemesis: the mom jean. I had to go up to a 32 and they still didn't button up over my hips. I give up.

Verdict: They fit and felt the best out of everything I tried on, and Levis is known for its quality. The price tag stings, though.