From age-appropriate dressing to social media, celebrities offer tips for navigating your 40s and 50s.
In celebration of JD Williams’ Autumn/Winter 2024 collection — crafted with the modern, midlife woman in mind — three TV legends, Gok Wan, Anna Richardson and Kéllé Bryan, gathered for an inspiring panel discussion.
Together, they explored the unique challenges and triumphs that women in their 40s and 50s face today, including body confidence, mental health and how women can boldly reclaim their sense of self in a society that too often overlooks them.
Rediscovering style beyond ‘age-appropriate’ expectations
Gok Wan, known for his passion for fashion, began by addressing a common frustration for many women: the expectation to adopt an ‘age-appropriate’ style as they grow older.
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According to a JD Williams study, 73% of midlife women feel irritated by this societal pressure.
But as the conversation unfolded, it was clear that women are ready to break free of these dated norms.
As Kéllé Bryan, singer, actress and star of Loose Women, eloquently put it: “What’s ‘appropriate’ isn’t about your age — it’s about what empowers you.”
She shared her personal evolution, moving away from restrictive fashion rules. “When I was younger, I focused on dressing up and showing off my cleavage, but now it’s all about what feels good — what’s practical for my life. I’m comfortable in who I am and I’m done with trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what I should wear.”
It was an empowering moment, as the panel agreed that fashion should never be about following rules, but about expressing yourself, feeling confident and embracing your own comfort and joy.
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Embrace your changing body
Heather, a senior designer at JD Williams, dove deeper into the body confidence discussion, pointing out that middle-aged women often feel confused and insecure when clothes no longer fit as they used to.
Bodies change, she explained, not just in size but in shape. “A woman might still be a size 12 at 50, but her body may no longer look or feel the same as it did in her 20s. This can cause frustration, but it’s completely natural.”
Heather’s team at JD Williams have taken an innovative approach, scanning more than 100,000 UK women to design clothes that actually fit real bodies. She said: “We’ve embraced the fact that women’s bodies change over time, and our designs reflect that.”
It was a hopeful message: you’re not alone in your body’s evolution, and there are brands out there listening to your needs.
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Gok echoed this sentiment, pointing out that traditional mannequin sizes were set back in the 1970s — and the average body has changed significantly since then. It’s time, he urged, for brands to catch up and reflect the true diversity of women’s bodies today.
The mental load of midlife
Beyond fashion and body confidence, the conversation took a thoughtful turn toward mental health, particularly the often-overwhelming responsibility that falls on middle-aged women to care for ageing parents
Anna Richardson, the TV presenter who’s known for her work in mental health advocacy, shared her personal experience: “No one prepares you for the emotional toll of looking after elderly parents. It’s so easy to lose yourself in the needs of others.”
Kéllé offered some heartfelt advice from her own experience of caring for her grandmother: “Be open and ask for help. You don’t need to manage everything on your own, and trying to do so can lead to burnout.”
Her message was simple but powerful — reaching out to others isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather, a step toward self-care.
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Navigating social media with intention
Social media, often seen as a breeding ground for comparison and insecurity, was another key focus of the discussion. So Living360 asked the panellists how women in midlife can use it in a way that uplifts rather than diminishes?
Kéllé had an answer: “Be selective about what you engage with. If your feed is filled with negativity or unrealistic images, you’re going to feel bad about yourself. Instead, fill it with people who inspire you, who reflect authenticity.”
Anna chimed in, adding that embracing your authentic self is the key to happiness. “The closer you are to who you really are, the more content you’ll be. It’s about surrounding yourself with people and messages that align with your values.”
Gok, known for his candid social media presence, agreed, sharing that he makes a point to be real and unfiltered online. “I’m not afraid to show the double chins or a meal that didn’t turn out quite right. That’s life, and I want people to see that.”
Breaking the silence on menopause
As the conversation neared its close, the panel addressed one of the biggest taboos still surrounding women’s health: menopause.
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Gok, always unafraid to tackle the tough topics, shared that the top three symptoms women report during menopause are decreased energy, low libido and vaginal dryness. Yet, these issues are often shrouded in silence.
Anna was keen to break this taboo: “We need to talk about vaginal health. It’s a normal part of life, and we’re doing ourselves a disservice by keeping quiet. Decreased oestrogen impacts us so much — our skin, our libido — and it’s something that can be managed if we start having open conversations.”
It was a powerful reminder that women in midlife aren’t alone in their experiences, and that by speaking up, they can reclaim control over their health and wellbeing.
Empowering women to put themselves first
In closing, Kéllé left the audience with a message of empowerment: “As women, we often put everyone else first. But self-care is the purest form of self-love. If we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we care for others?”
Her words resonated deeply with the audience. It’s time for women to take up space, love themselves fiercely and demand the visibility they deserve.
As JD Williams’ collection shows, midlife isn’t about fading into the background. It’s about stepping forward — bold, beautiful and unapologetically yourself.
