Everyone has an opinion, but sometimes it’s best to remember that not all opinions are worth our attention. Candace Cima, a 76-year-old style influencer and grandmother to 11 grandchildren, recently experienced the downside of sharing her fashion choices on social media. When she posted a photo of herself modeling a sleeveless midi dress, the comments poured in, and they weren’t all positive.
“It’s not the first time this has happened, but this one surprised me,” Cima shared with TODAY. “People have such outdated notions about age-appropriate fashion, and that needs to change.”
Cima confidently showed off a brown knit sleeveless dress paired with a sweater, showcasing her unique style and pro-aging attitude. While many praised her fashion choices, others took to the comments to criticize her appearance.
One person wrote on Facebook, “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!”
Someone else commented, “The sweater on, not a fan of the dress.”
Another user brazenly wrote, “Not flattering at all. Would never wear it alone. Too old to be showing all that skin.”
Despite the disheartening comments, Cima refuses to be deterred. “It’s perfectly appropriate to have wrinkled skin at 76, and I’m not ashamed of it,” she boldly stated. “Sometimes I want to respond, ‘Should I cover my face too, because I have wrinkles there?’”
In 2019, Cima started her fashion blog, recognizing the need for representation and inspiration for older women in the fashion space. “I saw an opportunity to talk about how to dress as you get older. Women have been conditioned to think they need to cover up because that’s what their mothers and grandmothers did,” she explained.
Cima believes it’s time to shift the way we think about age and fashion in today’s modern world. “We don’t need to adhere to these old ideas. We need to embrace our age and be proud of who we are.”
Despite the countless rude remarks Cima has received, she chooses to pay them little attention. Instead, she focuses on offering advice to her newest and younger followers, emphasizing the beauty and wisdom that comes with age.
“Aging is great. Everything you have learned your entire life is now there for you. You are now the wisest that you are ever going to be. Embrace it and be proud.”
