In an age where social media amplifies every voice, opinions can cut deeper than intended—and for Candace Cima, a 76-year-old grandmother and style influencer, that truth hit hard. On March 10, 2025, Cima posted a photo on Facebook showcasing a brown knit sleeveless midi dress paired with a cozy sweater. What she hoped would inspire her followers turned into a battleground of praise and harsh criticism, reigniting a broader conversation about age, fashion, and the right to self-expression.

Cima, a proud grandmother to 11, has spent the past four years building a platform that celebrates aging with confidence. Her blog, Life in My 70s, and her social media presence—boasting over 200,000 Instagram followers—champion the idea that style knows no expiration date. In this latest post, she modeled the sleeveless dress with her usual poise, layering it with a sweater for a chic yet comfortable look. “I loved how it felt—simple but elegant,” she later told TODAY. The response, however, was anything but simple.

Within hours, the comments section exploded. Fans of the pro-aging advocate showered her with support: “You look stunning! Keep breaking the mold!” wrote one. “Age is just a number, and you’re proof of that,” added another. But nestled among the positivity were stinging critiques that took aim at her choice. “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!” one Facebook user remarked. Others echoed similar sentiments, questioning whether a sleeveless design was “appropriate” for a woman in her 70s.

The backlash caught Cima off guard. “It’s not the first time this has happened, but this one surprised me,” she admitted in her TODAY interview. “People have such outdated notions about age-appropriate fashion, and that needs to change.” For Cima, who began her influencer journey at 72 after realizing older women were underrepresented in the style space, the criticism isn’t new—but its persistence frustrates her. “I thought we’d moved past this idea that age dictates what you can wear,” she said. “Fashion is about feeling good, not fitting into someone else’s rules.”

Cima’s not alone in facing such scrutiny. Society has long imposed unspoken dress codes on older women—cover the arms, avoid bold cuts, stick to “flattering” shapes. Yet, her defiance of those norms has made her a beacon for many. Since launching her platform, she’s amassed a loyal following, with 40% of her fans purchasing items she recommends at least once a year, according to influencer analytics firm Fohr. Her influence extends beyond sales; it’s about empowerment. “She’s showing us we don’t have to fade away as we age,” one supporter commented. “That dress? She rocked it.”

The sleeveless dress incident isn’t Cima’s first brush with controversy. In 2022, she clapped back at a TikTok troll who claimed, “You’re 60—don’t wear that,” by strutting confidently in a sleeveless top and declaring, “Actually, I’m 75, and this is me.” That video went viral, cementing her as a voice for ageless style. This time, though, the negativity hit harder, perhaps because it came from peers—other women over 70—who one might expect to cheer her on. “That’s what stings,” she reflected. “You’d think we’d lift each other up.”

Despite the harsh words, Cima’s resilience shines through. She’s no stranger to pushing boundaries, having spent her younger years defying expectations as a wife, mother, and now grandmother who refuses to “act her age.” Her response to the critics was subtle but firm: a follow-up post captioned, “Wear what makes you happy. Life’s too short for anything less.” The outpouring of support that followed drowned out the naysayers, with fans flooding her page with heart emojis and messages of solidarity.

This saga underscores a broader truth: the internet is a double-edged sword, amplifying both love and judgment. For Candace Cima, it’s a platform to challenge stereotypes—and a reminder that not everyone’s ready for change. At 76, she’s not just modeling clothes; she’s modeling courage, proving that style isn’t bound by years lived but by the spirit within. As one fan put it, “Candace is out here living her best life, and I’m here for it.” And with every post, she’s rewriting the rules—one sleeveless dress at a time.