It's hard to understand what makes fashion trends come and go. We know that certain celebrities have the power to pull a style into vogue, but how brainwashed was our culture when we fell in love with big hair, giant shoulder pads, or anything else that happened in the 80's? Why were these looks ever considered attractive? And why, oh why, are some fashion fools trying to revive these trends that never should have existed in the first place?

What follows are some of the most embarrassing fashion fouls that have ever been popular in American culture, and then some of our favorite trends that we hope never go out of style.

Low points in fashion history

Shoulder pads: The women's movement was still in high gear when shoulder pads hit the scene, but this was really taking it too far. Women certainly deserve equal pay, equal rights, and equal respect compared to men, but gender equality is not about looking the same. Ladies, while shoulder pads may make you look like a linebacker, they do not make you look more powerful. Upright posture is more than good enough. Ditch the shoulder pads and embrace your own proportions.
You can't go wrong with: Boatneck Sweaters, Fitted Blazers

Crop tops: This style can be hot on the right girl, but it's hard to pull it off without looking a little slutty. We draw the line at men's crop tops, though. This unfortunate fad actually began in men's fashion in the 80's, but can still be seen in gyms across America. Gentlemen: there are plenty of places where it is appropriate to walk shirtless and show off that six pack you've been working on. Try the beach, a basketball game, or while you're outside mowing the lawn -- but at the gym, no one wants to sit down on a bench covered in your back sweat. If you simply must show yourself off, compression shirts made by companies like Under Armour will show off every ripple of your physique without leaking every bead of sweat onto the equipment you'll be sharing with others.
You can't go wrong with: UnderArmour Shirts, Long Camis

Pants with writing on the back: Sticking with horrid trends that started at the gym, these awful pants started showing up on college girls in the late-90's, and the fad has yet to fade, but we absolutely think it's overstayed its welcome. The worst are the short shorts with words like "SEXY" printed on the tush. Please. If your ass is hot, you don't need your pants to tell the world -- it's the kind of thing a gawker can judge for him- or herself. And if your ass isn't hot? Well then you just look like an even bigger idiot. When you wear pants with writing on the back, you're just asking people to stare. There are more subtle ways to be that girl. When you wear these pants, they may as well say "EASY" in big, bold letters. That's how you look.
You can't go wrong with: Plain Yoga Pants, Plain Athletic Pants

Messy hair: It's easy to rag on the fasion disasters of the 80's, but let's not forget that the 90's had their fair share of fashion wtf's. We're glad the giant perms are gone, but why did designers think it would be hip to send their models out onto the catwalk with hair looking worse than bedhead after a night of binge drinking? People actually paid stylists to do this to their locks, presumably with tools more commonly found in the garden or at a construction site. Perhaps it was supposed to look carefree, or at least careless, but it takes effort to make hair look that bad.
You can't go wrong with: Flat, Straight Hair, Humidity-free Hair

Anything flannel: There are two situations where flannel attire is acceptable: it's winter, it's bedtime, and you are wearing flannel pajamas, or you are a lumberjack in the great white north. Yet several groups have claimed flannel as their fashion statement of choice -- so many, in fact, that it's not individual at all. There are just a lot of grunge rockers, skateboarders, rappers, and various wannabes walking around pretending to be Paul Bunyan.
You can't go wrong with: Plaid Tunics, Houndstooth Coats

Stirrup pants: People have been making fun of stirrup pants ever since they hit the market the first time, back in the 80's -- how is it possible that they've made a comeback?! Why? They're uncomfortable and unflattering, not to mention completely unneccessary. Would your pants really ride up your legs without that little strap under your foot? Do they not have gravity where stirrup pants were invented? Why not go all in on this trend and just start wearing footie pants?
You can't go wrong with: Tights, Skinny Jeans

Fanny packs: We all had one of these, right? You wore it to school in fourth grade to carry your lunch money and extra pencils, or it was your carrying case of choice when you were on vacation with the kids. We understand the merits of convenience -- a fanny pack can free up your arms while you travel, and since you're wearing it, it doesn't count as an extra carry-on for a flight. But convenience will never outweigh a fashion trend as hideous as this. Manufacturers made a bad thing worse by selling these bags mostly in horrible neon colors. If I recall correctly, I owned one in bright pink and another in electric green -- but I could be wrong; I've tried hard to forget about that.
You can't go wrong with: Crossbody Bags, Small Messenger Bags

Looking at pictures from times dominated by such poor tastes can be a painful experience, but we haven't gotten everything wrong. There are some big wins in our fashion history, too -- trends that survive today, flattering anyone who chooses to sport these looks.

Timeless styles we'll always love

Bangs: Right around the time that Amelie stole our hearts, They Might Be Giants released Mink Car, featuring the song "Bangs," an ode to this adorable 'do. You can wear sharp, severe bangs for an ultra-sophisticated look, or you can wear them softer and fluffier for a super cute look. Bangs can make a girl look friendly, approachable, and sassy all at once. Men are sporting bangs these days, too, and we love it. George Clooney brought back the Caesar 'do with short bangs a few years ago, and while Tom Cruise has gotten a lot of bad press for his shaggy bangs, he did usher in a style that looks good on many other men, when not taken to quite the extremes that Tom's hair has gone. (Also, it's more than a little weird that he and Katie Holmes have pretty much the same hair, but we like it on her.)
Shop now: Haircare, Hair Styling Products

Statement glasses: Love her or hate her, politics aside, you have to admit that Sarah Palin has style. Her glasses may have been the best part of her campaign. As soon as she landed in the spotlight, everyone wanted a pair of those Kazuo Kawasaki rimless specs, even at prices ranging from $400-$700. Palin's star may be fading, but those glasses made a lasting impression. Contact lens-wearers are switching back to frames as what once was merely a functional accessory has become a major trend.
Shop now: Eyeglasses, Rimless Eyeglasses

Men's bootcut jeans: We're not sure why this style didn't hit the market sooner, but we're glad it finally arrived. Few men look bad in this cut of jeans, and most guys look great. They're casual, but can be dressed up with a nice shirt and jacket. They're comfortable and relaxed, but show off a good body in all the right ways. The female counterpart to this style is the boyfriend jean, so named because of the way these jeans mimic a man's cut, as if the girl just slipped into her boyfriend's pants. Guys have long adored the way a cute girl looks in their clothes, so there's no doubt that this trend is here to stay.
Shop now: Men's bootcut jeans, Women's boyfriend jeans

Converse shoes: Men, women, and children can wear converse sneakers anywhere -- except maybe the gym. They're not ideal as athletic shoes, but they're possibly the most versatile shoe you'll ever own. They come in every color and many prints, so you can match them to any outfit, but it's also perfectly acceptable to wear an intentionally mismatched color, so don't feel like you have to buy a dozen pairs. Chucks are great with jeans and a t-shirt, but you look like a rock star when you wear them with tights and a dress.
Shop now: Men's Converse, Women's Converse, Kids Converse

Tights: Speaking of tights, it's amazing how many errors there have been in women's legwear over the years, when we've had tights all along. The saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," yet designers have foolishly tried to improve on the tights trend with disasters like stirrup pants, spandex jumpsuits, and leggings. Tights are cute, sexy, flirty, and fun, and there is no need to deviate away from them into the wasteland of all these other fashion horrors.
Shop now: Tights, Sweater Tights

Sweater, sheath, or shift dresses: It's not just about the little black dress anymore (though most any dress looks good in simple black, of course). Dresses like these are incredibly versatile -- you can wear them to the office, on a date, casual, formal, you name it. These classic cuts call to mind an image of Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha on Bewitched. Montgomery was a beloved actress who could rock a shift dress like a supermodel. These dresses can be both elegant and cute -- two notions that are usually mutually exclusive. They are the best of both.
Shop now: Sweater Dresses, Sheath Dresses, Shift Dresses

Spring coats: Cake told us what they want in a girl: "A short skirt and a long jacket." Trench coats and raincoats that fall to about the same point as the hemline of your skirt are super sexy. You don't have to bundle yourself up like the Michelin man to stay warm and dry. A coat should accent your outfit, not hide it. These styles do it so beautifully that you won't want to take off your jacket when you get inside.
Shop now: Trench Coats, Raincoats, Topper Coats, Short Trench Coats