As the leaves slowly turn orange and crisp mornings greet the UK, autumn has fully arrived marking a welcome respite for those who find summer a complicated season. Many people, especially those who identify as mid-size or plus-size, experience anxiety as summer approaches, often feeling exposed or judged when wearing skin-baring clothes. Social interactions can become fraught, with questions about layered outfits on hot days and well-meaning comments that only heighten discomfort, over half of Gen Z feels pressured to change their bodies for summer holidays, and a 2025 UK study found that more than one-fifth of people struggle with the thought of showing their legs at the beach or pool.
What made the most recent summer even more daunting was the emergence of skinny girl summer a season where not just celebrities, but everyday people, turned to weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Once reserved for Hollywood, these GLP-1 medications are now widespread, with studies showing their use nearly doubled in the UK in just 18 months. Advertisements for these treatments even made their way into TV breaks and living rooms, amplifying the narrative that thinness equals happiness and holiday-readiness.
High-profile figures, like Serena Williams, have discussed the impact of GLP-1 drugs and how they finally enabled them to break stubborn weight loss plateaus. In this climate, it’s understandable why body image advocates such as Alex Light, author of worry about a widespread return to the old, damaging message: that only slim bodies are worthy of enjoyment or attention in public spaces. For many, the cool days of autumn signal a relief from the relentless pressure and comparison triggered by summer clothing and social situations. Yet, as Alex points out, true body confidence is not about loving every part of yourself all the time; it’s about releasing the grip that shame and unrealistic expectations hold over your life, and remembering there’s no expiry date on feeling at home in your own body.
Dr. Helena Lewis-Smith, a UK health psychology researcher, adds nuance by reminding us that the intense self scrutiny of summer is, for many, replaced by the weight-loss industry’s attention on winter hibernation and new Year, new you resolutions. External pressures don’t vanish with the seasons, and comparisons especially online continue to erode many people’s confidence all year round. Social media remains a leading culprit in shaping negative body image by setting unrealistic physical standards that are difficult or unhealthy for most people to meet.
For Dr. Lewis-Smith, truly supporting body image means helping people build skills for self-acceptance and resilience like intuitive eating, choosing food for nourishment instead of shame, and stepping away from the weight-loss-at-all-costs mentality. She points out that, ironically, pursuing better self-image is likely to promote real, lasting health improvements far more so than quick-fix drugs or restrictive diets. The deeper challenge, she argues, is to fundamentally rethink a society where fatphobia and unattainable expectations are reinforced at every turn, a work that is far more radical than a seasonal wardrobe change.
In the end, each season brings its own set of pressures, but also opportunities for reflection and growth. Body confidence is not a finish line that comes with summer or fades in autumn; it’s an ongoing relationship fostered by kindness, realistic role models, and learning to value yourself for more than your appearance no matter what the calendar or media might suggest.
