Should women stop wearing bikinis at a certain age?

‘No woman over 20 should wear a bikini’


“No woman over 20 should wear a bikini,” screams the headline of Janet Street Porter’s most recent article in the Daily Mail.

Do both women and men judge the female body quite so harshly after a certain age? In a society where the concept of beauty is so closely intertwined with youth, how does the ordinary women feel about wearing this exposing garment in public post 20?

Sunbathers on a beach in Weymouth, both male and female, young and old, told us when they think, if ever, a woman should stop wearing a bikini.

Stuart, 37

“There is no definite age when women should stop wearing bikinis, they can wear what they want.”

Noreen, 46

“No is the right answer to the question but I think it depends on your figure and what you feel comfortable in.”

Sarah and Diane, both 37

Sarah said: “Nobody should decide for you, it’s a personal choice to wear a bikini or not.”

Diane said: “I actually feel more body confident now than I did when I was younger, despite having had children.”

Jack, 17

“Depends what they look like.”

Dom, Drew and Will, all 16

“It’s up to the woman to choose what she wants to wear, it does not depend on her age.”

Heather, 69

“It depends on your shape and size and if you feel comfy in what you are wearing. I personally stopped wearing bikinis a long time ago.”

Jack, Kevin, Olin, 17 through to 68

“There is never an age where women should feel like they have to stop wearing bikinis.”

Becky, 33

“It’s the woman’s choice, nobody else should decide for you.”

Rachel, 47, and Ashley, 21

“No, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.”