"Backstory: This was taken during a kids' window-painting contest in the 'downtown' area of Baldwinsville, when I was in 4th grade. 'Twas an incredibly cold and rainy morning--but you'd never know it from that sassy smile, would you? Things that ARE painfully apparent: my weather-flattened frizzy hair, my SUPER! PUFFY! WHITE! marshmallow coat, my sweatshirt proclaiming that I was 'Ultra Cool' (this was one of my favorite articles of clothing at the time), and my weirdly-framed old lady glasses (I picked those out, so I can't even blame my mother). That Mott's juice box is an unnecessary-but-classy touch of maturity. And the disembodied, pastry-clutching hand is my best friend Katie, who has stuck by me for twenty-five years even through questionable fashion moments like this."
"Apparently I was super excited about my extra large glasses, bowl cut hair, and Old Navy flag t-shirt. This must have been a dress down day though, since I'm not wearing my trademark silver eyeliner... isn't everyone fashionable at 13?" -Melinda
"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
"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
