76-year-old style influencer Candace Cima faced body-shaming and mockery after sharing a video of herself modeling a sleeveless midi dress. The incident, which unfolded on various platforms, including Facebook, exposed the clash between modern fashion choices and outdated age norms.
Cima, a grandmother of 11, was unapologetic as she posed confidently in a brown knit dress, proudly showcasing her bare arms. The video, intended as an Amazon try-on, unexpectedly drew negative comments, with some suggesting the outfit was unsuitable for someone of her age.
Among the critiques, one person insisted, “Great color and style; however, you must wear the sweater over it. The dress is not attractive on you without the sweater over it.” Another added, “Not suitable for the arms after a certain age,” reflecting traditional views on age-appropriate attire.
Despite the criticism, Cima remained steadfast, dismissing the negative remarks with grace. “It’s perfectly appropriate to have wrinkled skin at 76, and I’m not ashamed of it,” she declared, brushing off attempts to shame her for embracing her age.
Cima, the creator behind the style blog “Life in My 70s,” recognized the need for pro-aging influencers in 2019. With a growing following of over 400,000 on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, she aims to challenge preconceived notions about dressing as one ages.
She addressed the evolving landscape of fashion and age, stating, “Women have been conditioned to think they need to cover up because that’s what their mothers and grandmothers did. It’s time to revolutionize our perspective on age. We no longer have to conform to outdated concepts in this contemporary world.
Notably, Cima has seen a surge in younger followers, many expressing gratitude for challenging the fear of getting older. Embracing the wisdom that comes with age, she encourages everyone to be proud of the journey and relish the experiences.
Stylist Samantha Brown weighed in on the controversy, attributing the negative feedback to “people projecting their own insecurities.” Brown commended Cima’s choice, stating, “I think she looks terrific.” She emphasized the importance of unlearning harmful fashion rules and advised clients to highlight one area when showing skin.
“There’s no rationale for women of a particular age to feel compelled to don attire that covers them from neck to ankles,” asserted Brown, dispelling the outdated belief that age determines one’s wardrobe selections.
Candace Cima’s fashion rebellion not only challenges societal norms but also inspires a generation to embrace individuality and redefine fashion boundaries at any age.
