I graduated in 1973, when really long, straight hair, (the model) Twiggy, platform shoes and halter tops (similar to today's fashions) were in. I was not able to wear those things, only the long, straight hair and platform shoes.

I used to read "Seventeen" magazine, and I had to come to terms with the fact that I was not that girl.

I went between a size 12 and 16. Looking back at photos, I remember that I felt huge. My body image was completely different from what my actual size was.

My mother used to sew for me. She made clothes that fit my pear-shaped figure. I developed my own style of fashion. I felt confident in the looks that looked good on me.

I made my own crowd instead of being involved in the "in" crowd. I had support from my friends, who had the (thin) bodies, but also knew they were not look like those models in the magazines.

To BBTeenz today, I say hang out with people who treat you well, not (those who) criticize or use you as a "hanger-on" to a more popular group. Make sure your friends really care about you and are not diminishing you. It's not the most important thing to be in the most "in" crowd.

Look at your talents and the things that you enjoy doing. Build self-confidence through those things.

It would make me feel really good if a young person looked at this (article) and realized, "I don't have to go down this road of hard-knocks and experience".