Photo: YouSwim

For decades, we’ve been held to very narrow beauty standards by society, advertisers and the media. Bombarded with unattainable images that make us feel bad about ourselves. Programmed to believe that young, slim, white and wrinkle-free is attractive. Yet, go to any beach and the reality is quite different.

Everyone is there, and guess what, no-one is judging. They’re too busy enjoying themselves…

Rather than love our bodies and what they do for us, this external pressure to look a certain way contributes to poor body image, reduced self-esteem and much more. I know things have moved on – and I’m not talking about Martha Stewart on the cover of Sports Illustrated – but we still need to see an increase in the visibility of older women, more diversity and less photoshopping. Of course, everyone should be represented: more women in their 50s-and-beyond, more shapes, sizes, ethnicities and abilities portrayed realistically by the media.

This reduces stereotyping and allows us to see the beauty in ourselves.

Photo: Deakin & Blue

Research into Age and Media Representation confirms that ‘the images we see of ourselves on screen – are very powerful in swaying ageing trajectories.’ Thankfully, a few smaller swimwear brands are increasing representation by showing un-retouched images of gorgeous mature women who look a bit like us. Shout out to Davy J, Deakin & Blue, Form & Fold and YouSwim.

Sadly, most big brands are still showing their swimwear exclusively on younger models. Do they not know that women of our age LOVE wild swimming? Anyhow.

I’ve done my best to include a range of different styles on different body shapes and not an array of lithe teenagers:

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