A 76-year-old woman has been judged for not wearing attire deemed appropriate for her age.
Unfazed by the criticisms, Candace Leslie Cima responded to the negativity by proudly showcasing her flawless figure in a chic black one-piece swimsuit.
She remains unbothered by what detractors have to say and continues to demonstrate that women can look beautiful and fashionable at any age.
Candace Leslie Cima is a 76-year-old mother, grandmother, wife, artist, businesswoman, and model from Buffalo, New York. She is known for her blog, “Life In My 70s: Aging Is Changing,” where she discusses how women should embrace all aspects of aging naturally and offers lifestyle and fashion advice.
Cima has always been fascinated by the concept of aging and its often negative associations. Her interest in the aging process began in her 20s and 30s.
As a seasoned businesswoman, Cima has owned a senior housing community for over 32 years. Through her extensive interactions with older individuals from diverse backgrounds, she has come to a key realization:
“The one thing I know for sure is that aging is changing. We are not our mothers or grandmothers. Today, we have the opportunity to be productive, intelligent, compassionate, and stylish women throughout our later years.”
Cima is also renowned for her fashionable presence on TikTok, where she frequently showcases trendy and youthful apparel. Despite amassing 94,000 followers, she often faces criticism for her fashion choices.
Many people criticize her for not dressing her age and consider her outfits inappropriate. However, the unperturbed 76-year-old remains unfazed by the negativity and continues to wear whatever she desires.
In one TikTok video, Cima dons a chic daytime look that could easily be worn by someone in their late 20s or early 30s: a short-sleeved white top, edgy light blue slacks, and open-toed white heels. The video features a previous negative comment from a viewer suggesting she shouldn’t wear such clothes at her age. She confidently shuts down the criticism by revealing she was actually 75 at the time.
In another memorable TikTok moment this year, Cima appears in a stylish, figure-hugging black one-piece swimsuit while on vacation in Florida. As she strolls around the poolside, her supporters praise her stunning appearance.
Cima initially created her TikTok account to challenge negative stereotypes about aging. She aims to empower women of all ages to embrace the beauty of aging naturally and gracefully.
Despite facing criticism for her fashion choices, Cima continues to inspire older women. On her blog, she frequently discusses the aspects of aging she loves, such as being less stressed, accepting things out of her control, learning new things, and being fearless. According to Cima, aging can be the best time of someone’s life:
“Many older women live vibrant and fulfilling lives as they age. More and more women are setting records and breaking through barriers.”
As someone deeply immersed in the nuances of aging, Cima openly acknowledges that some older women impose limitations on themselves regarding what they believe they can or cannot do. However, she firmly encourages other older women to resist being influenced or constrained by this mindset that suggests women are incapable of certain activities past a certain age.
Cima shares that as she has aged, she has become more acutely aware of how anxiety and stress affect her. While these feelings are unavoidable, she has learned through time and meditation to counteract their harmful physical effects by cultivating a balanced relationship with her stress and anxiety.
Despite facing ageist criticism on social media, Cima remains unfazed.
Aging brings perspective and experience, which significantly influence one’s outlook on life. Cima emphasizes:
“Attitude is everything, and changing how you look at something can change how you feel about it. Changing how you feel about it can change the outcome… Aging does not mean stopping; it means you now have accumulated wisdom that is unstoppable if you want it to be.”
Beyond her stunning fashion choices, Cima’s slender physique also makes a strong impression. At 76, she maintains her remarkable figure by staying fit and active.
In a TikTok video, she showcased her impressive yoga skills during her daily routine. Cima demonstrated her flexibility, bending and contorting into various poses.
The 38-second clip featured Cima in all-black athletic wear on her yoga mat. From the cat-camel stretch to a full split, she amazed viewers, inspiring many with her capabilities. One viewer commented:
“You are so inspiring! I am 44 and have been following a few older women on social media to provide me with examples of graceful and healthy aging.”
Cima continues to ignore the ageist criticism on social media. She remains steadfast in her mission to empower women who may feel uneasy about aging and inspires others seeking role models for graceful and healthy aging.
