TV presenter Helen Skelton has admitted she's feeling her most confident at 42, saying she's finally in a place where she's happy and comfortable in herself. The former Blue Peter star has opened up about confidence, body image, and feeling her best, insisting women deserve clothes that "work with your body, not against it."
Helen Skelton Teams Up with JD Williams
The television favorite has teamed up with fashion brand JD Williams to launch a curated Summer Edit, revealing she's now prioritizing comfort, confidence, and practicality over chasing trends. Speaking about her approach to style, Helen said: "For me, clothes need to work in real life – they need to feel good the moment you put them on. As women, we're balancing so much, so having pieces that are comfortable, flattering and easy to wear really matters. If something doesn't feel right, you just won't reach for it."
The presenter added that she was drawn to colorful, easy-to-wear pieces that help women feel their best rather than forcing themselves into uncomfortable fashions. "I was drawn to stylish summer pieces that feel practical and comfortable but still joyful – great denim, easy layering and color that lifts your wardrobe," she explained. "It's about clothes that work with your body, not against it."
Addressing Fashion Industry Issues
Helen also addressed the wider issue of women feeling overlooked by the fashion industry as they get older. "So many women feel invisible in fashion, and that shouldn't be the case," she said. "That is why I've loved working with JD Williams as they empower women to embrace their life to the fullest."
Her comments come as new research commissioned by the brand found 84% of midlife women have felt invisible because of their age or body shape, while 70% have been left upset or frustrated when trying on clothes. The survey of 2,000 women also revealed that 98% believe their body shape has changed since their 20s or 30s, with many regularly ordering multiple sizes because they're unsure what will fit.
Design Director's Insights
Helen Low, Design Director at JD Williams, commented: "Our strength lies in understanding how real women's bodies evolve over time, due to the natural ageing process. A size 14 at 25 is not the same as a size 14 at 45, and yet the industry has historically treated it as if it is. We use insights from thousands of midlife women by scanning their real bodies and creating patterns that allow us to design clothing that reflects lifestyle ageing body changes, resulting in better fit, better comfort and ultimately more confidence."
