Body-positive influencer Laura Adlington has called out ‘fancy spas’ for not offering inclusive sizing in their robes. Posting a Reel on Instagram that shows her unable to tie her robe in the spa changing room, leaving her body exposed, the 2020 Bake Off star called out the ‘one size fits all’ offering most spas and hotels have for guests.
‘Dear Fancy Spas, bigger people want to enjoy treatments too,’ she wrote on Instagram. ‘It really ruins the experience for us when they don’t fit.’ With over 20,000 likes, many agree with Laura’s sentiment, including fellow TV personality Alison Hammond.
‘So true I take my own now,’ Alison replied to Laura’s post. ‘However, I did go to @champneysspas and they gave me a 3 XL. I felt so happy.’
It’s not just spas either, followers under Laura’s post noted that hotel towels are rarely large enough for bigger bodies, nor are medical gowns. ‘Or if they do have bigger ones available, they’re a completely different colour just to emphasise the fact that you’re wearing the “big” one,’ one person commented. ‘So, agree with this and it also means they fail to allow pregnant women to enjoy anything too,’ another added.
The exclusionary policy is perhaps unsurprising to those that know how difficult it can be to find basic clothes that fit larger bodies. And yet, it’s still shocking that countless spas and hotels would allow their guests to be left in such vulnerable and uncomfortable positions.
Laura is right, something needs to change. Women shouldn’t be left to awkwardly ask for a different size when already half-naked in a changing room, nor should they be excluded from experiencing the luxuries of life because certain industries refuse to step up and cater to everyone. We all deserve a relaxing spa weekend that isn’t ruined by uncomfortable moments like this.