After a debilitating period of illness that left her with a feeding tube and feeling "completely upside down", a parenting blogger has found an unexpected source of strength and community: sharing her daily outfits on TikTok.
From Hospital Bed to 'Fits of the Day'
Jen Walshaw, founder of the blog Mum in the Madhouse, spent a large part of this year in hospital. The experience, she says, ripped her from the normality of running a busy home and juggling work and family. Returning home, she felt physically and emotionally fragile, where even the simple act of getting dressed felt like a monumental task.
Her solution was a small but powerful daily commitment: to post a "fit of the day" (outfit of the day) video on TikTok. This simple act forced her to get up, get dressed, and show up for her followers. What began as personal accountability quickly blossomed into something much larger.
Embracing 'Fat, Flat, and Over 50' on Screen
Each of Jen's videos starts with her succinct bio: "Hi, I'm Jen: fat, flat, over 50 and with a feeding tube." She uses the word 'fat' deliberately as a descriptor, not an insult, to take ownership and unapologetically take up space. The 'flat' reference is due to a double mastectomy she underwent 18 years ago, a feature she once hid but now celebrates.
While TikTok is full of style inspiration, Jen noticed a distinct lack of creators who look like her. "There aren't many who look like me: fat, over 50, flat-chested and navigating extra health challenges," she explains. Her content, often featuring her beloved sweater vests (or "tank tops"), bold colours, and feminist prints, has struck a chord.
Her most popular video features a simple cord skirt, oversized collar blouse, and knee-high boots, proving that relatable, real-world style resonates deeply.
Building a Community and Challenging Fashion Norms
As her videos gained traction, so did her follower count, but more importantly, she cultivated a genuinely supportive community of nearly 4,500 people. This group cheers her on, shares styling tips, and quickly defends her against any online negativity.
Jen's journey is also a pointed commentary on fashion and ageism. She highlights that women over 50 account for 27% of all consumer spending and are the wealthiest, most active generation ever, yet remain grossly underrepresented in fashion media and advertising.
Inspired by younger creators' fearlessness, she has rediscovered forgotten wardrobe pieces and embraced wearing her "nice" things for no special occasion. The experience has been profoundly freeing.
For Jen, if her videos encourage even one other woman to get dressed, feel good, or treat herself with more kindness, it represents a significant victory. Her TikTok presence has become more than style sharing; it's a powerful act of visibility for older, fat women, proving that fashion joy and community have no age limit.
