Bake Off Star Laura Adlington Slams H&M Over Removal of Larger Sizes
Great British Bake Off star Laura Adlington has publicly criticised fashion retailer H&M for apparently discontinuing its larger size ranges, expressing frustration at the difficulty of finding clothes as a size 26 model. The 36-year-old television personality, who welcomed her son George via IVF last October after nine years of infertility, took to Instagram to voice her concerns, stating she feels "like s*** about herself" due to the limited options.
Social Media Outcry Over Sizing Changes
In a detailed post on Sunday, Adlington highlighted specific issues with H&M's online platform. "Oh hi H&M, last year you replaced your 'curve' dropdown on your website with 'pet outfits', and now you can no longer filter sizes on your website to show sizes 3x and 4. Why?" she wrote. The body positivity advocate suggested the retailer is phasing out bigger sizes, noting that available stock appears outdated when filters are somehow accessed.
Adlington elaborated, "Definitely looks like they're discontinuing their bigger sizes because when I did manage to find a filter all the stock is old. Sigh. How disappointing. It is getting harder and harder to find clothes I swear, and it just makes you feel like s*** about yourself doesn't it." Her comments reflect a broader challenge for plus-size consumers in the fashion retail sector.
Criticism Extends to Other Brands
The Bake Off star also directed criticism towards brand Nobody's Child, which recently collaborated with Louise Thompson on a petite collection. Adlington pointed out the absence of a dedicated plus-size range, with larger sizes selling out rapidly. "I absolutely ADORE your clothes. The quality is always amazing and I love the styles and prints," she penned, before adding, "However, there are very few styles on your website that go up to a size 24 and they sell out almost immediately (proof they're in high demand no?). You've just done a petite range with Louise Thompson which is gorgeous. Perhaps it's time to do a plus size one? Pretty please?"
H&M's Response and Commitment
In response to the controversy, an H&M spokesperson provided a statement to Daily Mail, emphasising the company's dedication to size inclusivity. "H&M is committed to liberating fashion for the many, and size inclusivity remains a core part of this approach. A dedicated size and fit team ensure that we have the correct offering on each market, based on research, body-measurement data, and customer feedback, which is central to how we develop our sizing," the spokesperson explained.
The statement continued, "Guided by customer demand, we offer an extensive size range from XXS to 4XL across markets, both in stores and online. We continuously evolve our fit and assortment to ensure consistency, comfort, and relevance, keeping our collections accessible to the diverse customers we serve." Daily Mail has also contacted representatives from Nobody's Child for comment regarding Adlington's remarks.
Personal Struggles with Post-Pregnancy Weight
Adlington's criticism comes amid her candid discussions about body image following the birth of her son. Last week, she revealed she has gained weight since becoming a mother, describing herself as feeling "heavy, bloated and tired" while navigating the early months of parenthood. She has spoken out against the pervasive "bounce back" culture that pressures new mothers to quickly return to their pre-pregnancy bodies.
In a piece for The Sun, Adlington shared, "I have no issues with people using jabs – each to their own – but my concern is they will intensify the pressure on women to look a certain way post-partum." She emphasised her commitment to fostering body acceptance for her son, stating, "My greatest challenge now is teaching George how to find the same acceptance I have, whatever size he is. He’ll never grow up hearing me criticise my body."
Journey to Motherhood and Body Positivity Advocacy
Adlington's path to motherhood was marked by significant challenges, including infertility struggles and medical advice suggesting weight loss for IVF eligibility. After quietly deciding to pursue IVF over a year ago, she gave birth to George in October, describing him as a "miracle" after nine years of longing. Her experiences have shaped her advocacy for body positivity, though she acknowledges ongoing internal conflicts about weight and self-image.
In a recent Instagram post, Adlington reflected on these contradictions, writing, "My name's Laura and I'm a walking contradiction. I accept myself and my body as it is now... But there's still not a single day that goes by that I don't think about being smaller." She added, "Within these contradictions I sometimes feel quite lost. My relationship with my body (and food) is messy and complicated, and sharing this makes me feel quite vulnerable. But I think it's important to be honest."
Adlington's outspoken stance highlights ongoing issues in fashion retail regarding size inclusivity and the personal impact of limited clothing options on body image, particularly for individuals in the plus-size community.
