Everyone has opinions, but sometimes, it’s best to keep them to ourselves.
A 76-year-old fashion influencer recently shared a photo of herself wearing a sleeveless midi dress. While the post received plenty of attention, not all the comments were kind.
“This isn’t the first time, but I was still surprised,” Candace Cima told TODAY. “People still have outdated views on what’s appropriate for older women, and that needs to change.”
Cima, a grandmother of 11, wore a brown knit sleeveless dress with a sweater.
Many people praised her style, but some criticized her outfit.
“From the side and back, this dress does nothing for you. Fitted styles below the waist aren’t your best choice. Celebrate the rest of your body!” one person commented on Facebook.
“The sweater looks good, but I’m not a fan of the dress,” another wrote.
“Not flattering at all. Would never wear it alone. Too old to be showing that much skin,” someone else added.
Cima wasn’t bothered. “It’s completely normal to have wrinkles at 76, and I’m not ashamed of it,” she said. “Sometimes, I feel like asking, ‘Should I cover my face too because I have wrinkles there?'”
She started her fashion blog in 2019 after noticing a gap in the industry.
“I saw an opportunity to talk about how to dress as you age. Women have been taught to cover up because that’s what past generations did.”
She believes it’s time to change that mindset. “We don’t have to follow outdated ideas in today’s world.”
Despite the negative comments, Cima didn’t let them affect her. Instead, she shared advice for her followers, especially younger ones.
“Aging is a good thing. Everything you’ve learned over the years is now part of who you are. You are the wisest you’ve ever been. Embrace it and be proud.”