As women continue to reclaim the narrative around beauty, one thing is clearer than ever: embracing our bodies - whatever our age, shape or stage in life - isn’t just possible, it’s empowering.

The real shift? Letting go of perfection and making space for something much more meaningful: self-love, self-worth and freedom.

Summer has a way of testing that though. As the weather warms up and the beach holidays begin, so too does the inner dialogue. Should I cover up? Do I look “okay”? We’re surrounded by curated, filtered versions of reality - and it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, of second-guessing ourselves.

But with age comes the wisdom and realisation that the problem isn’t with us - it’s with the narrow lens through which we’ve been taught to view beauty. And thankfully, that lens is beginning to widen.

This year, I’ve been inspired by women who aren’t interested in meeting expectations - they’re rewriting them. Celia Holman Lee, still working and walking catwalks at 75, puts her confidence down to keeping things simple: good food, fresh air, and refusing to buy into the idea that ageing needs to be “corrected.”

And Maye Musk, now well into her seventies, continues to front campaigns and covers with elegance and assurance - reminding us that confidence doesn’t expire. There’s something striking about women who’ve let go of trying to look a certain way and instead show up with presence, purpose and ease.

Even younger voices are pushing back. Lola Young, a brilliant singer in her twenties, recently posted images of herself that weren’t polished or posed - and was met with backlash. But she didn’t shrink. She simply said: I won’t be shamed for how I look or dress. And that kind of grounded, no-nonsense confidence feels like a sign of change.

Of course, I’m not suggesting we all need to strip off, coat ourselves in gold paint and mark a milestone birthday with a photoshoot, like Gwyneth Paltrow did for her 50th. But what she wrote alongside it stayed with me: “I accept the marks and the loosening skin... I let go of the need to be perfect.” That’s the bit I love. The quiet power of acceptance.

For me, that’s what body confidence looks like now. Not defiance. Not perfection. Just ease. Self-acceptance. Dressing for yourself. Feeling at home in your skin, without apology.

And maybe that’s the real beauty standard we need - one that celebrates presence over polish, energy over age, and freedom over fear.