The '80s often get a bad rap because of the over-the-top fashions (big hair, leg warmers, neon colors, and on and on). (Big hair, leg warmers, neon colors, and all that.) However, an examination of the trends that the '80s left behind reveals many smart, innovative fashions, from the slapdash streetwear of '80s supermodels to the masculine outfits of the '80s, You can see the seeds of modern style in 80's fashion trends. [Here are some of the most underrated 80s trends.

First of all, I'm a sucker for a snazzy graphic T-shirt (another '80s staple). In the 80s, leggings were popularized by Jane Fonda as athleisure, and innovators like Blondie also embraced them, making them an avant-garde (for the time) fashion statement.

Certainly, this would not be the first time that a classic men's item (in this case, a polo shirt for golf) was stolen by women and tailored for them. But the "preppy 80s" aesthetic would not be complete without this casual collared shirt, usually paired with baggy jeans.

While we are probably more familiar with the patchwork quilt style of 80s clothing (which often felt like a remnant of the 70s), we also saw a more graphic take on color. Color theory has never looked so great.

A scarf (or a long string of rope or beads) around the waist was all it took for a seemingly effortless show of fashion. Beverly Johnson (the icon) does it better than most, but choosing an alternative to the belt will always feel like a surprising and counterintuitive choice.

I will admit that steampunk is not for everyone, as can be seen here (try me, I look like the Tin Man). But the spirit is really what matters here. When faced with the choice between wearing boring, everyday sunglasses or something that really stands out, the latter is more fun and more of the time.

The Elvis-esque haircut was back in vogue in the 80s, and this time, women were on board. Short hair was nothing new, but a little more "masculine" and slicked back was a fun evolution, especially when paired with menswear like this.

While I myself could not pull off the long pink mohawk (a sign of true 80s punk fashion), I did appreciate the somewhat understated punk aesthetic. I have seen a lot of punk in the 80s: short cropped hair, darker makeup, graphic t-shirts, chunky makeup, and more fitted undergarments.

The 70s come to mind, but oversized: trying to outdo the glittering bell-bottoms of the previous decade, the ruffles of the 80s were more structured and striking. This may certainly not be an everyday look, but cool statement pieces are actually more evergreen than you might think.

Joan Jett's outfits are not bad fashion inspiration, in part because they feel much more lived-in and casual than the other pioneers. Her smart choice of contrasting patterns is one of her trademarks.

With a maximalist eye on pattern mixing, the 80s were really just a mishmash of patterns and hoping for the best (Cyndi Lauper, who makes this list, was the queen of haphazard patterns and textures). It didn't always work, but when it did, it was a joy.

The style certainly has the potential to veer into "clown" territory (and this particular styling is teetering on the edge thanks to that neck ruffle), but big, bold stripes, when approached as a big, bold statement, are a smart fashion choice. It would be easier to keep the rest of the outfit neutral.

Over the past decade, we haven't just been experimenting with color. Sometimes that meant patterns, sometimes it meant graphic design, but the choices for everyday wear and workwear became a little more fun.

I will admit that the suspender/overall trend that has been all the rage for the past decade was not my favorite at first. However, there is no denying that they add a fun menswear aspect to this attire.

It's a more elevated take on one of my favorite patterns of the decade (leopard, in case you missed it) and a spoonful of an otherwise neutral accessory (in this case, gloves). Of course, there was a time and place for over-the-top moments, but quieter patterns were equally effective.

If you like leopard, this was the decade to really lean in. Of course, the Cyndi wears leopard print very well, but I especially appreciate the way she matched the jacket and hat to a literal bra. The other looks use a lot of yellow to match the more subtle prints.

Brooke Shields is chic in a romper (of sorts) and gold jewelry, an outfit that would not look out of place today. However, the simple white loafers stand out to me as a sartorial choice that is not limited to a middle school uniform.

Color blocking (and rich colors, for that matter) is nothing new, but our collective love affair with bright neon in the 80s reinforced it. Choosing complementary yet opposite colors is more of an '80s cliche, but we also appreciate the choice of two colors next to each other on the color wheel.

While Princess Diana's style was a source of great pleasure for many (and her working royal style was exemplified by many women in professional careers), her casual style was particularly underrated. In addition to the more classic '80s overalls, she helped popularize the casual tote bag.

Oversized, masculine workwear was a big trend in the 80s (hello, big blazers with shoulder pads). But not all women ventured to wear actual menswear-inspired ties to the office. Let's bring back the tie. [For example, wear a vest over a shirt, or use outer layers in unexpected and fun ways (like leaving them half unbuttoned, as you see here). I didn't need to use color to make the clothes three-dimensional.

I have an image of Diana Ross burned into my mind from the 80s, wearing colorful sparkles and her natural hair flowing freely behind her back. While that look was great, I have to give credit to the more subtle use of sequins and glitter.

The giant logo (in this case a reference to Chanel No. 5), the spiritual sister of the graphic T-shirt, can still be noble and classy. Before the jargon, walking around with a giant "5" on your chest would have been a true "the more you know" moment.

If you want to learn how to dress for serotonin, look back at the fashions of banana llamas. (The use of yellow as a pop color was a brilliant on-the-nose touch.) There are many elements to learn from here, but my favorite is the contrasting socks, which complement the shoes beautifully.

Long before it became a streetwear trend that went out of style during the winter season, the après-ski was the go-to outfit for hitting the slopes. Technically, this is still street style, and I'd probably pass on the abominable snowman shoes, but the vibe is still there.

Princess Diana's "black sheep" sweater was obviously resonant on many levels (especially as she saw herself in the royal family). I especially like that she wore a collared shirt underneath, adding a bit of structure on a whim.

Salt-N-Pepa does not get enough credit for revolutionizing fashion. One of my favorite elements of their all-matching look is their smart use of monogramming. Not only is it easy to see who they are, but it's also a brilliant matching moment stylistically.

As part of the new wave of comfortable, feel-good clothing (long before we called it athleisure), we also started putting stirrups in our pants and leggings to hold them more securely to our legs. Today, leggings are designed better, so stirrups aren't quite as functional, but they look just as cool as they used to.

Linda Evangelista's outfit, especially the combination of tights and shoes, gives the outfit a fancier fall/winter look. Choose sheer, translucent stockings (or knee-highs) and pair them with classic shoes.

Sister Sledge was the first of many other groups to wear matching outfits. I especially like the fact that their sweaters are all velvet in complementary colors, but not so matchy-matchy as to be on the nose. I also love the satin pants, and I want those gold shoes.

Big jewelry in the 80s was bold and eye-catching, but as you can see, it didn't have to be so flashy. I appreciate that this matches the scarf (i.e., it doesn't fight with the rest of the outfit), but it still looks bright enough to stand alone as a statement piece.

Technically, this wasn't vintage at the time, but in the age of digital watches, a cute, minimalist, sophisticated watch (bonus points if there are no numbers) was a very fun wrist accessory. And I stand by it: it still looks just as beautiful today.

Roll up the sleeves of a plain white t-shirt (or wear a muscle t-shirt with angled sleeves like this one): classic 80s. Add to that the Mickey Minnie graphic design, dark lip and eye shadow, and cuffed jeans. It's the perfect look for this decade.