As our body shapes change as we get older it is easy to start to feel negative about how we look and lose confidence in ourselves.

I asked some of my very stylish colleagues at work to help me with writing about positive body image so I could add their tips about how to feel good and look good. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Alma says, ‘After having children I found my body changed not as elastic as before and harder to diet and lose weight.

Yes in the beginning it was a downer but then I learned what I could wear and what my new style was going to be. However, this style does change very frequently.

At the moment I choose classic pieces that I can mix and match without having a lot of items in the wardrobe. My love for shoes and bags will never leave me. Also my accessories, although I am very picky but I do like unique and classic pieces. I find for my body big and bold accessories do not suit me but also not dainty, middle size.

I feel confident in pashmenas and thin over shoulder and breast capes. Not into fitted clothes and hardly wear dresses or skirts.

I still believe in spending a little more for my few pieces is worthwhile because to me it’s the fit that is important.’

Jean tells me, ‘I always feel irrespective of age it is always good to Dress to Impress. When you dress well you tend to feel good too.

Exercise and diet play an important part in my life. I try to watch what I eat and exercise at least three times a week to maintain my weight.

As a mother of two grown up boys, I love to dress, colour co-ordinating with matching trendy shoes when I can. Also try to match the clutch bag with the shoes if possible, especially if it is a formal occasion. I notice and have been told that red and royal blue suit me a lot so have quite a few of these colour outfits in my wardrobe.

Keeping in mind my age will wear what looks appropriate, elegant and suits me’.

Eleanor says, ’As women get older and their bodies change, women need to accept the way our bodies can change. Accepting is big part of change and a lot of women find this challenging.

How to make yourself feel good each day:
• A little bit of makeup each day
• Clothes that suit your body as it changes – you do not have to spend a lot of money to look good
• Look at hairstyles/hair colour that may suit your changing body
• Keeping active – surfing, walking, swimming, gym etc.
• Accept your body

I believe if women can do the above each day it will make them feel good about them yourself.

My own body has changed over the years and I have found that as I got older I made sure I did the above, makeup, clothes that suited me body, new hairstyle and most of all I have tried to stay active.

I swim twice a week walk three times a week but my love is I go surfing (I ride a longboard) nearly every weekend, it is a passion and I will try to do this as long at my body will let me, every time I have a surf I feel so good about myself thinking not bad for someone that is 56 years old.’

My own experience is that it is as important to have positive feelings about yourself and your body as it is to stay physically healthy. It’s easy to have negative thoughts about changes in your body that can eat away at your confidence and diminish your ability to do well in all in all other areas of your life. Staying mentally healthy is a big element of overall health and Australian plus size fashion has helped me to maintain a positive body image and be confident in all areas of my life.

When I get dressed in the morning I work from the shoes upwards and love to accessorise! I have some beautiful shoes many of which I bought from a charity sale of Shoes of Prey. I am trying to branch out from blue, even though I have over 40 scarves in different shades of blue, and the majority of my jewellery is blue.

I have changed my style quite a lot in recent times as I used to wear tailored suits when I worked in a cooler climate and I was a lot slimmer. Recently discovering quality plus size clothing in Australia I have started to wear dresses, which is something I have very rarely done in the past.

Or for more style tips, please see here.