If you think you shouldn’t wear something because your face and body doesn’t conform to patriarchal beauty standards – put those thoughts out of your mind.

There is always time to start dressing how you’ve always wanted to – in clothing that makes you happy.

You deserve to be seen. You deserve to take up space. You deserve to spend your money how you like, with whatever budget you have. You deserve to get joy from fabulous clothes. You deserve to wear bright colours (or blacks or more subdued colours if that’s your thing). You deserve to wear amazing clothes – and to be seen – at any age. Your skin and your body deserves to be seen – with skin conditions, scars, stretch marks, pigmentation, wobbly bits – or you can cover up if it makes YOU more comfortable (which is what I do). Don’t let others make you feel like you should hide away.

You shouldn’t need my permission to wear loud prints, fun clothes like you wore as a kid, shoes that aren’t black or brown, and sequins on a Thursday! Just do it. I promise you’ll feel amazing! And you might even attract compliments about your outfit – so you should!

In the 90s, these strappy slip dresses were in. I read Dolly and shopped at The Miss Shop. I think I had a navy one with small white print. But I’d never wear it, as I would be self conscious of showing off my red, scaly skin, and I’d also be cold, or get sunburnt in the summer. But then I wouldn’t wear it over a top like I have done here because no one else was, and I didn’t want to stand out anymore than I already did.

But now – I’m wearing the dress over a long sleeved pink top, (and green leggings) because it makes me happy. And that’s fucking fabulous.

Don’t wait to wear something fun. Wear it now.