BEFORE YOU WERE HOT

Amy: John Denver "Transitional" Lenses

"Well, clearly it was a TRANSITIONAL time... Here I am in second grade in Houston with my second pair of glasses and my first (failed) attempt at Charlie's Angels wings. To be fair, it's actually just a grown out Dorothy Hamill. For my first pair of glasses, I insisted on selecting my own style. So I copied the ones my brother wore. Think John Denver: small, round, boyish. Mom was eager for me to go more feminine with my second set, so she steered me to these. She also had the bright idea to choose lenses that miraculously turned from light to dark when stepping outside - 2 pairs in one! Yes, those 'transitions' lenses (aka Foster Grants) were encased in pre-Sally Jesse Raphael red frames. (Thanks a lot, Mom!) Problem was, they didn't really work. So I looked like I was wearing shades all the time. Even inside. Nothing is hotter than THAT in second grade! Sigh." --Amy

After the jump: Amy today...

Fatima: Endless Geeky Charm

"I was 12 years old when this photo was taken in fall 2003 in Toronto. As you can tell by my grade seven school photo, I was blessed with endless geeky charm at the time! Just check out the slightly crooked glasses with plastic frames, the thick and oversized knit turtleneck sweater from Sears, mismatched jewelry, and the frizzy, tightly pulled back hair. This was the beginning of the most awkward pre-pubescent stage ever! Looking at me at age 12, it's hard to believe I grew into a style and beauty writer after high school. I'm currently a 19-year-old journalism student with aspirations of becoming a fashion editor one day, and write for online as a freelance contributor. From middle school nerd to ambitious fashionista, there must have been hope for me all along!" --Fatima

After the jump: Fatima today...

Laura and Stef: Classy Braces

"This picture was taken at a high school marching band contest in which we had participated. I (Laura) clearly thought that having thick black glasses and extremely long hair was stylish. And Stef thought putting beads on her marching band hoodie would be unique touch. Our braces were also classy. Our more recent picture is definitely a relief to both of us!" --Laura, on left

After the jump: Laura and Stef today...

Karla: Pop Bottle Glasses

"I was 12 and I had those big pop bottle glasses!" -Karla

After the jump: Karla today...

Autumn: "Fuzzy Triangle"

"I'd just achieved the dream: My mom had let me get a spiral perm, which was the height of style in 1988. In my head I would wake up every morning looking exactly like Milla Jovovich did at the time; the reality, for a person with as much hair as I have, was that I wound up resembling a fuzzy triangle. I attempted to ameliorate this effect with 'the wave' bangs, and you could make an argument for the round glasses posing a contrast to the geometry of my general head shape. Maybe? Maybe. Also note the t-shirt, which I wore as a proud aficionado of the annual hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque." --Autumn

After the jump: Autumn today...