The '80 cartoon series "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" inspired a generation of kids to be patriotic, moral and resourceful. However, the accompanying toys from Hasbro also inspired petty larceny at toy stores and schoolyard scuffles between young boys coveting the coolest gun-toting action figures the world had ever seen.

But what looked so cool to you as a youth might seem silly when viewed through the lens of adulthood. Take, for example, the characters' outfits; from rough-and-tumble sailors to metal-masked terrorists, Joe outfits ranged from awesome to outlandish. With "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" hitting theaters this summer, StreetLevel decided to take a look back at best and worst dressed characters from the popular series.

Read more after the jump.

FAIL: Shipwreck

For Shipwreck, every day is Fleet Week. A sassy seaman like him adds flair to his form-fitting shirt and boot-cut pants with the manliest accessory a sailor could have: a multi-colored tropical bird. Once he retires from service he'll run a successful chain of Long John Silver's restaurants and a dive bar called "The Blue Osyter."

WIN: Storm Shadow

OK, so we know that Storm Shadow is a mammal who fights all the time and that his purpose is to flip out and kill people. That said, we think that without even having to flip out, he's killing people with lethal style. The improvised gi in a clean summer white features a striking red Cobra logo on the left breast for just the right amount of "pop" -- and it looks even better with bloodstains on it. This is an excellent outfit for the fashionable assassin in the fast-paced world of espionage.

FAIL: Snake Eyes

He's probably the most revered character in the entire franchise, but let's face facts: Snake Eyes dressed like a gimp. If the black leather body suit and helmet (complete with visor!) didn't add enough weird mystery to him, rolling with a wild wolf certainly did.

WIN: The Baroness

The Baroness dresses like the most do-able teacher ever. Ladies should take note: Her style is simple but extremely effective in manipulating megalomaniacs like her BF, Destro. The black-rimmed glasses, her black skin-tight leather jumpsuit and the thigh holster for her gat say "intelligent," "freaky," and "gangster" all at once.

FAIL: Destro

Before MF DOOM was the metal-masked villain we all loved, there was Destro. If anyone should have run Cobra, it was the ever-competent Destro. His outfit was kinda weird though; we can't decide if it was supposed to say "totalitarian dictator" or "headed to weird swingers party." Seriously, it takes immense self-confidence to pull off a jacket that makes it look like you're wrapped in a red-lipped vagina.

WIN: Scarlett

The protective leotard-over-bodysuit with utility boots combo not only made Scarlett one of the better-dressed G.I. Joes (Janes?), but the ensemble looks like something an American Apparel shopper would actually wear. And it makes her look all gymnastical.

FAIL: Barbecue

Whose bright idea was it to name a fireman "Barbecue"? So while we're burning up in an inferno he's in his protective, flame-retarded retardant suit enjoying himself like it's a cookout or somethin'? Eff you, Barbecue. We bet that stupid suit you never take off stinks inside.

FAIL: Zartan

While Zartan's gear is supposed to serve as body armor, it's clear that it's really more along the lines of a performance workout uniform intended to tone and sculpt. The only thing missing is a holster for Dreadnoks Energy Drink.

WIN: Duke

Mobb Deep's Prodigy once said, "There's a war going on outside no man is safe from . . ." We're not sure what sure what war he was referring to but in the war of the well-dressed, knowing is half the battle. Duke, the most alpha of alpha males on the Joe team, knows what's up. He rocks a standard-issue khaki military shirt jacket with classic green cargos. He's a man's man, so he doesn't believe in man-purses; his keys, iPod, cell phone, condoms and ammunition are all safely secured in a fine leather across-the chest, utility belt.

FAIL: Serpentor

"Yo, there's a snake eating your head!" How the Cobra rank and file didn't burst into laughter every time they saw Serpentor coming, we'll never know. He was supposed to be created from the combined DNA of some of the world's greatest and most ruthless leaders, but apparently he was missing genetic material from a leader with fashion sense. We always wondered if his outfit was made from real snakes; if it was, we hope PETA paint-splashes the s*** out of him.