20 epic old school photos people were willing to share with the world

We all had our dorky days.

And while it seems kids grow up today without ever going through puberty, back in the good old days you could rely on at least 2 years of horrendous photos of yourself.

These folks not only found those photos but were willing to take one for the team by sharing them with the world. And boy are they classics!

1. A true original

With a nod to the integrity of the formal, this daring teen decided to express herself with her hair.

Take THAT, dress code!

And look how perfect that crown of spikes is!

Homecoming 2012. Yes that’s my real hair. Yes I spent an hour on it every day. from r/blunderyears

2. The dance photos

Women over 40, you can probably still feel the cheap spandex and sequin headband digging into your skin just looking at this.

You didn’t have to be any good to keep taking dance class back in the day. And you didn’t need to be a soloist to have an embarrassing photo snapped of yourself snapped in your costume.

To top it off, no one ever told you to suck in. No one cared. And THAT was freedom.

I think I’m finally emotionally ready to share this pic with the world from r/blunderyears

3. Facial hair phenom

We’re not sure what look he’s going for either, but we do know that it takes serious intention and a sense of rebelliousness to spend time making yourself look like this.

The best styles are the ones you can’t name because they’re just so original.

Not sure if I was going for emo or amish. from r/blunderyears

4. Instant classic

There’s so much going on here that we love. The facial expression, the homemade kitten and puppy vest, the BOW!

She’s really got it all going on and has the exact right look on her face for this moment.

We hope this one made it to the yearbook.

Why YES!! My vest WAS homemade! PM me for orders!!! ;) from r/blunderyears

5. She would like to speak to the manager of Glamour Shots

Oh, Glamour Shots. We looked at you in the mall every week and wished so hard that our parents would shell over the money for a gussied up, soft-focused, air-brushed photo.

Consider yourself lucky if you have one of these treasures lying around.

Glamour Shot Blunder (7 years old) from r/blunderyears

6. Hairspray heaven

We bet these were the coolest parents in the neighborhood. I mean, just look at how high mom managed to get her hair!

Do you think that’s half a bottle of hairspray…or more?

My saucy parents in the early 90’s from r/blunderyears

7. Look back and laugh

There’s looking back at taffeta prom dresses and then there’s looking back at this.

And honestly, we’re not sure which is better, but we’re pretty sad this no longer seems to be a formalwear option for young men.

My attire for Homecoming. (male) from r/blunderyears

8. Good luck green

Not only did we dare to wear Day-Glo, but we also reveled in it. We found matching hats! And we rocked them.

We had all the swagger and almost nothing to back it up. Those were the days.

How were we all single?? from r/blunderyears

9. Rock on

We’re impressed she got to wear makeup for a school photo. But we’re grateful for the leniency, otherwise, we might not have ever seen this masterpiece.

Remember trying to come up with your own “look”?

We didn’t have the internet for inspo – clearly.

I have no name for this aesthetic. Maybe circus punk. from r/blunderyears

10. She bangs

Most people have a photo of themselves with unfortunate bangs. But this one is pretty epic.

To be fair, she was rocking the super-short bangs before they were even cool. And she doesn’t seem all that upset about the mishap.

You go, girl!

I was 10 when I realized people with no bangs had grown them out, not cut them off. from r/blunderyears

11. Parental blunder

Sometimes you have to blame the parents – and this looks like one of those times.

Hopefully, these guys grew into their own sense of style!

The Blunder Brothers, circa 1994. I’m in purple. from r/blunderyears

12. Laser mullet

It’s adorable on a mortifying level. But it’s just so bad it’s good.

We’d be happy to share this with the world just because it’s so darn epic.

My Kindergarten Picture is definitely the most epic of all my school pictures. from r/blunderyears

13. Tracksuit triumph

The glasses, the track suit…no wonder this kid is scowling.

But that look came back around again during the height of the hipster phase, so we hope he had that on display to prove that he was doing it before it was cool.

I was pissed. Long story. 1993. from r/blunderyears

14. A whole mood

Some teenagers are ahead of their time, knowing that there’s nothing to smile about and life is pain.

It’s a good thing we had the music and the magazines to go along with our angst

8th Grade; My Dad: The Cure, Big Fan from r/blunderyears

15. A bit much

We applaud the effort, but there’s a lot going on here – including the trick up his sleeve.

What’s important is how cool you feel though – and he looks like he’s feeling it!

Watch out guys, he’s coming for your girl next! from r/blunderyears

16. Field trip flair

Send a bunch of kids for what passes for “out on the town” in their preteen or teen years and prepare for the parade of awkward style!

Everyone wanted to act cool and worldly on field trips. And this is about how well we all pulled it off.

1990 something and X-Pac was my idol. from r/blunderyears

17. Rocking the innocence

It looks like Linda from accounting is about to come read you the riot act about your expense report.

Except she’s 12.

My friend was 12 going on 45 from r/blunderyears

18. Smile!

Ah, the days of film, when you had one and only one chance to get your school photo right.

Kids have no idea just how good they have it these days with digital photography.

Apparently I didn’t know how to smile in first grade from r/blunderyears

19. Prom style

Hey, if you’re going to go to prom alone, you might as well dress with the swagger of two people.

And at least one of those people should be Willy Wonka.

Prom 2009, I was a sophmore in High School and I took school dances a litte too seriously. Also I didn’t have a date. from r/blunderyears

20. Gotta catch ’em all

Remember the innocent days when collecting whatever was cool at the time trumped all other things in life?

The best part of this photo is that he seems just a bit too old for this. That’s why makes it gloriously embarrassing.

I still like Pokémon, but this may have been a bit much. from r/blunderyears

***

Everybody needs a good bad phase, don’t you think? It builds character!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Reddit – r/blunderyears

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