Old women don’t take selfies. Old women don’t wear bikinis. Old women don’t breathe.

Well, Alexandra Shulman did all of that and the internet couldn’t handle it.

Last week, a happy Alexandra posted her mirror selfie minutes before she was ready to take her boat ride. However, the former editor of Vogue was showered with online trolls making fun of her aging body. According to many ‘wise’ people, a sagging skin shouldn’t be put on a display and hence, old people should consider a bathing suit a complete no-no. Blah.

Time for the boat trip

7,854 Likes, 410 Comments – Alexandra Shulman (@alexandrashulman) on Instagram: “Time for the boat trip”

During an interview with The Sunday Times, she discussed body-positivity and declared her love for bikinis. She said, “I happen to love bikinis and have never felt that it mattered to anyone how I looked wearing them. I fully intend to ­continue wearing them to my grave.” She also mentioned how she had ‘no idea that sharing a picture of in a bikini on Instagram could provoke either the compliments or the outrage.’

Here, cheer yourself up with some beautiful messages by women who wrote under Alexandra’s post:

I shared the photo with my mum who is always worrying about her weight. This is our natural self, why on earth should we feel ashamed about it? Thank you, ma’am!

 I’m 64 – I’m not a bikini wearer but thank you will put on a bathing costume again!

I’m 42 and have only ever worn a bikini once in my life when I was 25. Your photo is the first one that has makes me feel like I could wear one now – thank you!

You look pretty darn good! Thank you for this. It’s our body and we should own it like you have. Yes, a great editor and role model!

Thank you! I’m 58 and have struggled with body image since I was a teenager. I haven’t worn a swimsuit in a very long time. It’s so very sad to not feel comfortable in our own skin unless we’re skeletal.

Beautiful and inspirational photo. In the last few days, I have been verbally assaulted for posting photos of me (taken by my husband) on holiday wearing a bikini. I am 40 years old and mother to 3 boys. I am proud of my body. The culture of body shaming is wrong and indeed hurtful. The sad fact is, that women are the worst offenders of this instead of supporting and nurturing one another. Thank you for posting this – beautiful, confident and inspirational.

None of us should be ashamed of our bodies, we are who we are, we come in all shapes and sizes. We should be taking more care of ourselves mentally and physically, to be happy and healthy rather than obsessing with extra centimeters here or there on our bodies. Our minds are what truly count. Let’s say no to body-shamers and embrace who we are – beautiful people!