Remember When Beyoncé Looked Like This?

This photo will shatter illusions. This post will likely land us on the Beygency's watch list. But, it must be done: We need to address Beyoncé's sartorial past.

In honor of last weekend's marathon of red carpet events, the Fug Girls revisited looks from the VMAs 10 years ago. The pics reminded us that 2004 was a bit of a rough patch as far as fashion goes. Hems were shredded and made of mesh; we were still obsessed with those banded-bottom/blousey-top dresses, and Lenny Kravitz's nipple rings were counted among the red carpet's most memorable pieces of statement jewelry. No one was spared, not even Beyoncé.

Now, even the most devoted members of the BeyHive would have a hard time naming this gold lamé shorts set with a bedazzled blazer as one of the singer's best outfits. If anything, the misguided look is proof that Queen B's style — like our own — has survived an awkward phase and come out better for it. While we haven't been able to track down who made this regrettable number, the Fug Girls speculate it was borrowed from Liberace.

Sure, Beyoncé has had her sartorial stumbles over the years, but considering who we're talking about, it's safe to say that she can confidently look back at them a little older, a little wiser, and, a lot more flawless. For more lamentable looks from 2004, check out the Fug Girls' complete investigation. (Go Fug Yourself)