In a world that’s constantly evolving, it’s easy to forget that not everyone embraces change—especially when it comes to fashion. A recent post by 76-year-old style influencer Candace Cima serves as a reminder of how outdated views on age-appropriate fashion can still thrive in the digital age. When Cima, a grandmother of 11, posted a photo of herself modeling a sleeveless midi dress, she was met with both admiration and, unfortunately, harsh criticism from a section of social media users.
The photo, in which Candace wore a brown knit sleeveless dress paired with a cozy sweater, was intended to showcase her love for timeless, age-inclusive fashion. As a prominent pro-aging advocate, Cima has built a following on social media by challenging conventional ideas about aging and how older women should dress. However, despite receiving numerous compliments, the post also attracted a wave of unkind remarks that left many questioning society’s rigid standards of beauty and appropriateness for older women.
“It’s not the first time this has happened, but this one surprised me,” Cima shared in an interview with TODAY. “People have such outdated notions about age-appropriate fashion, and that needs to change.” She went on to address the cruel nature of some of the comments, many of which criticized her choice to wear a sleeveless dress at her age.
One comment read, “From the side and back this dress does nothing for you. Form fitting below the waist is not your friend. Celebrate everything else about your body!” Another person stated, “The sweater on, not a fan of the dress.” One particularly harsh comment even questioned whether it was appropriate for Cima to show skin at her age, writing, “Too old to be showing all that skin.”
However, Cima’s response to the criticism was nothing short of empowering. “It’s perfectly appropriate to have wrinkled skin at 76, and I’m not ashamed of it,” she asserted. “Sometimes I want to respond, ‘Should I cover my face too, because I have wrinkles there?’” Her words reflect a deep understanding of self-acceptance and a refusal to conform to the narrow beauty standards that many older women are often pressured to follow.
Cima’s journey into the fashion world began in 2019, after she noticed a glaring gap in the industry. She realized that there were few style influencers catering to older women and decided to step in, creating a fashion blog focused on empowering women to embrace their age and personal style. “I saw an opportunity to talk about how to dress as you get older,” she explained. “Women have been conditioned to think they need to cover up because that’s what their mothers and grandmothers did.”
Through her blog, Cima encourages women of all ages to embrace their bodies, flaws and all, and to experiment with fashion that makes them feel confident. “We need to shift the way we think about age. We don’t need to adhere to these old ideas in a modern world,” she said, emphasizing the importance of breaking free from the antiquated notions that limit personal expression.
Despite the negative feedback, Cima continues to advocate for self-love and body acceptance, offering advice for those who follow her, including some of her younger followers. “Aging is great. Everything you have learned your entire life is now there for you,” she shared with her audience. “You are now the wisest you are ever going to be. Embrace it and be proud.”
Through grace and resilience, Candace Cima is not only changing the narrative around aging but also offering an important reminder to all of us: we are never too old to feel beautiful, confident, and worthy of self-expression. In a society that often forces women to hide behind societal expectations, Cima’s example is a much-needed lesson in owning one’s identity—regardless of age.
Sophia Reynolds is a dedicated journalist and a key contributor to Storyoftheday24.com. With a passion for uncovering compelling stories, Sophia Reynolds delivers insightful, well-researched news across various categories. Known for breaking down complex topics into engaging and accessible content, Sophia Reynolds has built a reputation for accuracy and reliability. With years of experience in the media industry, Sophia Reynolds remains committed to providing readers with timely and trustworthy news, making them a respected voice in modern journalism.
