A 76-year-old fashion influencer has sparked a heated debate online after sharing a photo of herself wearing a sleeveless midi dress. While many praised her confidence and timeless style, others flooded the comments with criticism about what they believed was “age-appropriate” fashion.
“It’s not the first time I’ve received comments like these, but this one really caught me off guard,” Candace Cima told TODAY. “People still hold outdated beliefs about how older women should dress, and I think it’s time that changed.”
Among the negative reactions were comments criticizing both the fit of the dress and the fact that she chose to show her arms.
“From the side and back, this dress doesn’t flatter you. A fitted style below the waist isn’t your best look,” one Facebook user wrote.
Another added, “I like it better with the sweater. I’m not a fan of the dress by itself.”
A third commenter wrote, “It’s not flattering at all. I’d never wear it without a cover-up. You’re too old to be showing that much skin.”
Cima refused to let the criticism affect her confidence.
“It’s completely normal to have wrinkles at 76, and I’m not embarrassed by them,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like asking, ‘Should I cover my face too because it has wrinkles?'”
She launched her fashion blog in 2019 after realizing there were very few style resources created specifically for older women.
“I saw an opportunity to encourage women to embrace fashion as they age. For generations, women were taught they had to cover up because that’s what their mothers and grandmothers did.”
According to Cima, those old expectations no longer belong in today’s world.
“We need to rethink the way we view aging. There’s no reason to keep following outdated rules about what women can or cannot wear.”
Despite the wave of negative comments, Cima remains focused on inspiring women of all ages to embrace themselves with confidence.
“Aging is a privilege,” she said. “Everything you’ve learned throughout your life has shaped who you are. You’re wiser than you’ve ever been, so embrace it, celebrate it, and be proud of who you are.”