13 Childhood Photos That Embarrassed Us Then but Are Comedy Gold Today

Nothing exposes us quite like childhood photos. Who else was forced into cowboy boots for a school performance? And who still cringes at their graduation hairstyle that lives forever in a frame at their parents’ house? But as you flip through those old albums, something sweet happens — you start to appreciate the missing teeth, the bizarre costumes, and the creativity (or chaos) of the photographers of that era. Let’s take a nostalgic trip together.

1. “10th grade me. My fashion sense dictated tshirts and flannels with sleeves cut off.”

2. “My favorite photo of my wife as a child.”

• I wish I had a fraction of that self-confidence. © RavenQueen33 / Reddit

3. “When I was young, my mom snuck up behind me while I was playing and cut my hair. Was looking for old photos of this and remembered this gem. I’m a girl.”

4. “Came across some old photos of a weird-looking baby today at my parents’ house. Found out it’s me at 4 weeks. Thank god they captured my beauty before I grew out of it.”

• Please post an after picture. © caballera123 / Reddit

5. “At 12, I looked like a very sad librarian.”

6. “In 1996, I was 12 and got to have Glamor Shots done.”

• You’re 12 and have 3 kids and a mortgage. © Parabolic_Penguin / Reddit

7. “I learned my lesson about taking a razor to my eyebrows. Big oof.”

8. “My friend gave me permission to post this photo of her that shows all the glamor of the 90s.”

9. “My childhood photos are definitely worth a look.”

10. “Judging by my childhood photos, I knew how to treat girls even back then.”

11. “I love cringing at my old scene/emo phase.”

12. “I thought the stuffed penguin and lace fingerless gloves would really magnify my ‘emo/edgy’ style. Homecoming at 14 years old.”

13. “I credit my mom’s terrible makeup skills for the fact that I’m pretty good at makeup today.”

Be sure to explore our other article about celebrities who prove we should stop being afraid of aging.