Oh. The Wonder Years. You were just a child, growing up, full of dreams, curiosity and sometimes, awe. Nostalgia, yes; but also lots of pictures that did not make the cut to become your MySpace profile picture or that good-earned money walking dogs you spent on a photo session with your best Twilight hunks props.
Those were the years. You might be cringingly remembering those, but a few brave ones had the guts to share them with the world. Welcome to The Blunder Years subreddit, were users share their dusty treasure for the world - and you - to laugh and regret.
1. The Unlucky Braces Kid
To be a '90s kid, you must have been a child during the '90s. One of the worst fears for any teen was a visit to the dentist and to be told they needed braces. All of your smiles were that closed-mouth smile, but it didn't matter -that whole parafernalia around your head and chin would definitely let everyone know you were one of those "metal-mouth" kids.
"Everyone knew me", says user u/Treklow of herself, "but headgear girl strikes again!". She's got very good teeth know, and she thatnks her parents: "I like to think my parents wallet and my pride worked very hard on them".
2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Everyone wanted to be Johnny Depp in 1999, but... There's only a few people who can pull those red lens sunglasses off. That was not this poor kid, we are afraid -but we have to admit he did his best. That t-shirt was also... quite something. "The shirt did not work for me", admitted, user u/pelirojo67, adding that he still has that t-shirt at home: "The struggle is real".
The user even admits something else: his mother took that picture. Yes, the then 17-year-old went to Vegas with her to see Cirque du Soleil.
3. The Fight Club in the Matrix
What to do when you like so many things your only hope is you could fit them all in one of your amazing outfits? Let's ask Reddit user u/xMaxxAmmox, who had to wear his spiked platinum hair, two sunglases, lip piercing, a button up flame shirts with JNCO jeans and a two foot wallet chain. If The Fight Club and The Matrix had a kid, this would be it.
Thankfully, times have changed and present day u/xMaxxAmmox looks more presentable. He also miraculously aged like four years in a 16-year span.
4. Just A 10 Year Old Boy
"As a 10yr old male I was a 30-year-old lesbian", says Reddit user u/LATL21. Even his dog knows that something ain't right. Was the excessive accessorizing? The Axe spray you can basically taste just looking at this picture? Probably, but it may be due to his hair -or lack of it- but his bangs. Just the bangs, because there's nothing else around them we can talk about.
To be honest, it's like a less worse version of Ronaldo's hairstyle of choice circa 2002, so.. Let's say it is not that bad.
5. The Pokémon Master
You know what they say: you gotta catch'em all...But you certainly have to do it in style, if at all possible.This user not only did that, but with a leather cape no less. It's tough to take a selfie when you are a vampire, but more when you are also a Pokémon master yourseld. Us mortals with reflection need to check our privilege.
Also, let's pretend we are not seeing that impressive climbing house plant, though.
6. The Emo Parents
"10 years ago and our first family photo, it looked like we stole someones kid", says Reddit user u/Skissored. Well, looking at their picture... They are right, apart from that it looks that the baby is going through some sort of a rebellious phase: "Next thing you know he's going to be dating the head cheerleader and nominated prom king! Send help", implored their parents to the subreddit's users.
Well it seems the apple didn't fall off from the tree, because 10 years later, things are almost the same, plus one more kiddo -who apparently is now the "rebel" of the family.
7. The Eminem Fan
Look, we've all been there. We've used our hairbrushes as microphones and headphones as some sort of professional studio equipment while we try to emulate our idols doing some playback in front of the mirror. But we did not take any pictures -there was no need of graphic evidence from those days. That's not what u/Anewhopeless thought when she was around 13 years old and was going through her "Eminem phase", though.
But hey, let's admire her creativity: we are impressed to see her haging her hairbrush instead of holding it in her hand. Great value Eminem? We think so.
8. Brandon Bloothbath
Brandon Bloothbath. Yes, that his name. We didn't give him that name, he called himself that in 2009 and took photos to show the world that he was indeed thirsty for blood. Emo pose, a bird's eye view shot, mouth open so he could show his brackets and a message: "Fear me dear, for I am Death". Well... a picture that certainly impressed the rest of users.
Not because of the pic, but because of his honesty for posting it to the world. "I just like to laugh at my old photographs. Reminds me to stay humble", said.
9. Never Use A Razor
Brows stayed ultra-thin well into the 90s -a response to the big brows of the previous decade, made popular by celebrities like Brooke Shields and Madonna-, though the arch had raised to become almost angular in shape. But then, there were the teens that tried to emulate the look with their own hands... And a razor. The result, becoming The Incredibles' nanny Kari McKeen.
Thankfully, in most cases you can grow your eyebrows back. It just takes some time (about a year).
10. The Nerd
A lot's changed since you ran with your friend crew -that, if you were a part of one of the cliques that ruled your school. Perhaps you hung with the sporty jocks; maybe you were one of the smart kids,the ROTC dorks, band geeks, preps, emo kiddies and, let's be honest, the peaceful stoners. And then, there was you, like Reddit user u/ThunderousDong, who admits his chindhood was "rough".
Sometimes, puberty hits like a truck but luckily for him, he managed to pull a Neville Longbottom for the best.
11. The Model Lover
Some people lie because they believe that no one can like or love them the way they are. To know if a girl is lying about having a boyfriend, just check if she talks about him and never shows photos. It was way easier before, though; when nobody could track your social media activity or call your Photoshop skills out. Case in point: this girl and her Abercrombie boyfriend model.
"In middle school, I told everyone I had a older boyfriend, who also happened to be an Abercrombie model. This was my proof....", admits Reddit user u/iamlion44. Spot on.
12. One Of The Boys
What would have you done to impress your crush when you were a teen? User u/mintleaf64 did everything for her love: sending notes, remembering little details, tell their friends and... Hang out with them as one of their besties. Reddit users couldn't tell which one of the three kids in the picture this user was -netiher did we- so we hope her crush actually did. Sigh. Always the best man, never the bride.
A disguise to impress him works, though; but what you have to do is take off your glasses and ponytail, change into a dress and you can show up at the dance -right after the makeover montage, never before, please-. We have seen it in like, 600 teen movies.
13. The Edited Afro
Blame Jesse MacCartney, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Justin Tyler Berfield, Jared Leto.. Spikes were super popular in the late 90s. Probably the first guy y'all ever liked back then had his hair styled like this and we are almost certain your crush on him was solely because of it. Well, Reddit user
u/collarpoppppppin was one of those, but his college totally disapproved it. So much, they edited his punk rock spikes of his yearbook photo.
u/collarpoppppppin was one of those, but his college totally disapproved it. So much, they edited his punk rock spikes of his yearbook photo.
"My (conservative Christian) college yearbook Photoshopped my punk rock spikes into a white afro", shares the user. We are not going to lie, that's a pretty good editing job.
14. High School Memories
The 20-year rule is one of the most known fashion concepts that refers to the idea that trends repeat themselves every two decades. And based on this rule, that means the 2000s are back and thriving. Here comes gel, any teen's best friend back then -or their worst enemy, if we look back at pictures now. Case in point, this poor kid and his yellow (green?) bangs.
Gels can hold and protect the hair; lengthen and, style hair into place. This picture is peak, prime-cut, blunder years. Hair and chain say, “I’m trying to rebel”, but the shirt says “mom picked it out”.
15. The Incredible Girl
"My dad always thought this haircut looked incredible on me. My mom thought the shirt was incredible. Looking back at 2nd grade me is incredible. I'm a female", shared user u/kikiglitz, making her portrait-perfect look one of the most-liked posts of Reddit that year. Look at that glorious Kentucky Waterfall in its natural habitat.
"I don't have a mullet anymore. My dad sure is. He's never forgiven me for growing it out.", said the user.
"I don't have a mullet anymore. My dad sure is. He's never forgiven me for growing it out.", said the user.
Looks like someone was jealous that, as a boy, couldn't enjoy long hair. Apart from... She is actually a girl. A cliffhanger like no other, some pure M. Night Shyamalan magic.
16. 12 Going On 45
Whenever you want to see how pro-skater Tonya Harding's mom looked, don't go and find her real picture nor Allison Janney (Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Tonya); just have a look at u/dboyer87's friend: that's the real LaVona Fay Golden. She looks magnific, she owns her style and as some pointed out, she's got a bit of that 90s Meg Ryan's magic going on.
Years later, she doesn´t look like that anymore, but her friend wanted to pass a message: she was bullied a lot as a kid, so her 12-year old self felt so validated thanks to everyone's kind comments.
17. The Librarian
"School photo looking like 60-year old librarian with my cardigan, turtleneck and thick glasses Date and age unknown", says u/Al_E77 of herself. Terrible outfit, but it's somehow cute somehow. Not like Annie Wilkes in Misery with a Christopher Columbus haircut type of cute -it actually makes you want to hug her. She also looks like a Saturday Night Live! character, like some other users pointed out; like Andy Samberg pretending to be an older lady.
We have to say she had to actually promise this was a real picture of her, and she shared she was born in 1989, so this would be early 00s. Scary.
18. Ryan Gosling BFF!
"My mother found this photo of my church friend (Ryan Gosling) and I. We had some Awful 90s hairs cuts", said Reddit user u/Talisintiel, trying to show off their bowl cuts. But hey, he was friends with Academy Award nominated actor Ryan Gosling. In fact, the actor was one of the hearthrob's at fault for the bowl cut fever thanks to his role on Goosebumps, when he was just 16.
Back then, Gosling was a regular teen unaware of what the future had in store for him, following his two-year stint on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.
19. The Evolution
We've all had a past. But how many of you lived through a phase each year of high school? Well, user u/Lebow did, and had some pictures to prove it on Reddit. It's like looking at every phase of the 90s -he actually got them all: here are Korn, Marilyn Manson, and Coal Chamber shirts just out of view of every photo.
Although... It wasn't the 90s, but 2003-2008.
Although... It wasn't the 90s, but 2003-2008.
The eyebrow slit on senior year really does it for us, we are 99% sure Jason Momoa copied him. Too bad he missed the those always amazing frosted tips.
20. The Best Wife
"My all-time favorite picture of my husband. He was 20 in this picture. Posting with his reluctant permission", says u/geekoutfreakout69420 of her husband, who was... Quite something back then. Users were confused, as they didn't know if he was an anime eccentric CEO or leader of a powerful family, but that pink puffed hair did not make him any favors. Let's remember again he was 20 when this picture was taking. Almost an adult.
But seriously, he looks like an anime character, some sort of computer nerd who was working at a company called Big Evil Co. Inc.
21. The Dancer
Forget Dance Moms and their drama, tears and whatnot; because the real talent was out there. Reddit user u/StephieCupcakes said she was "emotionally ready" to share this pic with the world, in which she appeared dressed as a dancer for a photo session. A cool leotard fit, matching headband and everything. Plus that thick, curly side pony. To be honest, six-year.old us are super jealous -as is the over 30-year-old us.
We are certainly getting 80’s home aerobic workout vibes, Richard Simmons would be of whatever content her next exercise video would have.
22. The Punk Homecoming
Ahh, the early 2000s. It was the decade of experimentation for Millennials everywhere, who were sporting the best spiky hairstyles. Frosted tips, chunky highlights or not; it was a trend that transcended age and gender, and fit in with every aesthetic. Case in point, u/shortnblu, who admits that spent an hour a day doing her hair. And yes, she does look like a peacock. But as cringeworthy as the look might seem now, spiky hair was the thing to do.
She spents way less time doing her hair now, but she had quite a few users asking her to reenact her old photo as soon as possible.
23. The 80s Toddler
Did you have a Kindergarden yearbook picture taken? If so, you better go and check it out, because it could be glorious. Reddit user u/manda326 certainly is, and she said so as well: "My Kindergarten picture is definitely the most epic of all my school pictures", adding that she does not rock that fantastic mullet these days, but tries to smile with no teeth to keep things consistent.
To be honest, she looks super cool and could be a serious contender in the quest for the best mullet ever with glorious ones, from Carol Brady's feathery tapered 'do in the '70s to Zendaya's Tweet-provoking Grammy 2016 mullet.
24. The Blunder Brothers
What if it's not only you, but your whole family cringingly showing your worst years on picture? Reddit user u/dame_condor and his brothers could all be named Patty and we would believe it. Look at those faces, look at those attires (when did they start making suspenders built into sweatpants?), look at that hair. Pat, Patt and Patty; or a Pokémon evolution, whatever you want.
What's for sure it's their parents were also subscribed to the "You'll grow into it" style of clothes shopping. u/dame_condordefinitely owned all three outfits at one point.
25. 'Twilight' Hunks Birthday
As some users said, they should embrace their past. It's awesome. Team Jacob vs team Edward arguments can be pretty brutal and apparently that was as well between the two friends, as they parted ways by the end of middle school. They look like this now, and as the user shared, they haven't seen each other in a very long time as they got in a pretty nasty fight when she moved away but they are "slowly making it work again!"
Be honest, some of you might be laughing at those Twilight cut-outs, but we are sure you would have had this exact same photo with N*SYNC, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, One Direction or the like.
26. Destined To Each Other
Do you believe in destiny? There's something so comforting about feeling like you're meant to be with someone. It's probably why many choose to believe in fate, destiny, and soulmates. According to experts, we may be destined to fall in love with certain people. If you ask u/camiam85, it could be true; but if you look at his and his wife's photo in 2000... You'll believe for sure.
"Her grandparents sent her that photo in a card several months back and I knew soon as I seen it I had a old school photo where we are dressed the same with a similar hair cut. Found it tonight. Ten years together and not looking back!", said.
27. Emo-Goth Photoshop Phase
"My husband’s high school goth/emo/photoshop phase is an untapped goldmine of blunderyears. Dear goodness.", said user u/lovelyleslee of her husband, who we hope she married before seeing this gem of a picture. We can agree MySpace was a mistake, and luckily for us, founder and friend of all Tom Anderson sold it for a whooping $580 million.
Do you think this goth angel would be a permanent fixture in anyone's top 8? Because that Top 8 was serious business.
28. The Furry Photoshoot
Supportive moms are awesome. User u/AriaFaline was lucky to have one of those wonderful moms, who even paid a professional photographer for an amazing photo session of her cute teen daughter... Dressed as a bear? Cat? The best thing is knowing she had a mother that supported her choices and nurtured her individuality growing up.
We are sure mom could not wait to have kids and wait til they were old enough to do stuff like this, shelling out money and preserve these gems forever.
29. My MySpace Friend
Oh, MySpace good'ol days. Before Instagram and Facebook took over the world, there was MySpace and everyone's good friend: Tom Anderson, who's been keeping the same profile picture forever, something this Reddit user tried to emulate, maybe to be as popular as him? Well... It didn't work quite the same, as said by the user himself: "Mom found this recently, me at 18, my reaction when she showed me was "god damn what is that creature"".
You might want to know that MySpace Tom no longer focuses his efforts on the social networking world, but instead on travel photography.
30. Queen Elizabeth
"When you look over 40 but you're actually 12", said u/ThatSquareChick of herself. Yes, she was 12. And yes, she was cosplaying the great Elizabeth Taylor. They did look alike, we might say, although we don't know how cool this was for a pre-teen.
"For the record, I looked exactly like my dad until I was 15, people would stop me in town even while I was wearing girly clothes and ask me if I was Geoff's son", admits.
"For the record, I looked exactly like my dad until I was 15, people would stop me in town even while I was wearing girly clothes and ask me if I was Geoff's son", admits.
She confessed that she still looks like her father and, as some users pointed out, maybe like Dustin Hoiffman in Tootsie as well.
31. Mom Helped With the Straightener
"My 2004 highschool graduation photo, proudly displayed at my parent's house. Mum straightened my hair for me", shares user u/PlanetaryEulogy. We don't really know what he was thinking with that outfit, but that's some My Chemical Romance mixed with The White Stripes hell apocalypse gone wrong. The outfit really Offends in Every Way.Or might be a Great Value Little Nicky or the Full Emo Alchemist, we aren't so sure anymore of what we are looking at.
He took any comparisons as a compliment, though.Even when an user said he looked like a Bloodborne character.
32. The Rat
"My girlfriend's childhood family picture. She was really excited about being a rat in The Nutcracker", said proud partner u/RipePetunia. Seriously, look at the picture below. You can't make it up. It's a rat. Family is happy and smiley. They are all supportive of girly there being a rat. Look at her dad's face. That's the face of a man who has stopped giving a rat’s ass.
This is phenomenal. It’s just a masterpiece. The skewed eyeballs on the rat head, combined with the unnervingly deep rat jaw and the pretty, poised 7-year-old sister who provides such a devastating contrast. This is gold.