76-year-old style influencer Candace Cima, a grandmother of 11, recently faced a mix of praise and criticism for wearing a sleeveless midi dress. While some admired her pro-aging fashion, others clung to outdated views on appropriate attire for older individuals. Undeterred, Cima stressed the need to challenge these traditional notions, asserting, “People have outdated ideas about age-appropriate fashion, and that needs to change.”

Critics, focusing on the perceived unflattering fit of the dress, flooded in with remarks like, “Form fitting below the waist is not your friend.” Responding boldly, Cima declared, “It’s perfectly appropriate to have wrinkled skin at 76, and I’m not ashamed of it.” She questioned societal pressure to conceal aging, asking, “Should I cover my face too, because I have wrinkles there?”

Having launched her fashion blog in 2019 to address the lack of representation for older women, Cima aimed to shift perceptions and encourage women to reject outdated ideas. Despite rude remarks, she remained unfazed, offering advice to younger followers: “Embrace the positives of aging; you are now the wisest you’ll ever be.” In the face of ageism, Cima continues to champion a modern perspective on fashion and aging.