Age is just a number, and no one knows this better than 76-year-old fashion influencer, Candace Cima. Recently, she faced criticism after sharing a photo of herself modeling a sleeveless midi dress. While many praised her style, others had negative things to say about her outfit choice.

Cima, a grandmother of 11, believes that people hold outdated notions about age-appropriate fashion. She believes it’s time for a change. “It’s not the first time this has happened, but this one surprised me,” Cima shared with TODAY. “We need to shift the way we think about age. We don’t need to adhere to these old ideas in a modern world.”

The photo that sparked controversy featured Cima rocking a brown knit sleeveless dress, paired with a sweater. While some people complimented her style, others took the opportunity to criticize her appearance. One person on Facebook wrote, “From the side and back, this dress does nothing for you. Form-fitting below the waist is not your friend.” Another commented, “Not flattering at all. Would never wear alone. Too old to be showing all that skin.”

Despite the negative comments, Cima remains unbothered. “It’s perfectly appropriate to have wrinkled skin at 76, and I’m not ashamed of it,” she confidently stated. “Sometimes I want to respond, ‘Should I cover my face too because I have wrinkles there?’”

Cima started her fashion blog in 2019 because she noticed a lack of representation for older women in the fashion industry. She wanted to challenge the belief that women need to hide their bodies as they age. “Women have been conditioned to think they need to cover up because that’s what their mothers and grandmothers did,” Cima explained.

Instead of focusing on the negativity, Cima offers advice to her followers. She believes that aging is something to be embraced and celebrated. “Aging is great. Everything you have learned your entire life is now there for you. You are now the wisest that you are ever going to be. Embrace it and be proud.”

Candace Cima’s story serves as an inspiration to all women who refuse to conform to society’s expectations. Let’s join her in embracing our true selves, at any age!