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...

Jessica: "Geeky Turtleneck"

"It's okay if you think I was a boy; lots of people did. A fond memory of mine is a lady at a toy store telling me it was 'cool' for boys to like to play with Barbies while browsing with my Mother. At age 11, the day before picture day, it was my bright idea to ask my (then beauty school student) mother to cut my hair to look like Halle Berry. If I was 10 years older, had my ears peirced and wore makeup it may have worked.

"This is my awkward photo, the only one that is still around, stolen from my mother and hidden in a box in my storage under the stairs. When I saw this website I HAD to dig it out. It is hard to see past my haircut, my geeky turtleneck, my strawberry birthmark under my right eye (which thankfully went away) and if you could see closely, my faint uni-brow. However, today I am a 21-year-old wife and new mother with long luscious hair. Gone is my awkward scrawny body, replaced with some curves (a few unwanted, but hey, I'm not complaining) It DOES get better, but for all you young people out there- it is impossible for an 11 year old to look like Halle Berry! Learn from my mistake."

After the jump: Jessica 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...

Adalynn: Don't. Show. Those. Teeth.

"I was in 6th grade in the smallest town ever in Texas.  Apparently I thought the tight lipped squinty smile was really cool (along with my ever so stylish red grown up Brighton watch). My hair was down to my derriere and eventually I cut it that year. I think junior high as the 'Hell Years' and strategically leave those pictures out of the public eye. Years later I finally grew into my slight awkwardness and just embraced it but without the tight lipped smile." --Adalynn

After the jump, Adalyn today...

Dixie: Brushing the Curls Away

"This is me in second grade in the halcyon days before I got my period and before my little hopes and ideals were crushed. (It’s also when I went by my 'slave name' Sarah Ellen Feldman. The year is 1969, the place is Miami, FL. My mom is 'away' (ahem) so my dad was taking care of us. This explains my unkempt appearance; not only was my dad busy with his own job but my hair was very curly and he tried in vain to brush the curls away every morning." --Dixie

After the jump: Dixie today...