Sorry, Skinny-Jean Loyalists: These Are The New Normal

Hop into our fashion time machine, won't you? Do you remember nearly a full decade ago when you tentatively stepped outside the house for the first time with a pair of skinny jeans?Your feet looked too large, your calves looked too there, and you couldn't figure out what you were supposed to do about your socks ("but are they supposed to show?"). However, upon encountering your umpteenth compliment of the day, you were hooked. Your bootcuts and flares haven't been heard from since.

We're not saying that it's happening again, but it seems like we're at another crossroads in terms of pants silhouette. Don't dump your skinnies quite yet, but if you haven't tried a pair of relaxed-fit, slightly baggy denim (also, endearingly called "mom jeans"), you're missing out. Those apprehensions about whether people will point and laugh? Yes, you'll go through that once again. But, you'll also get more (rightly deserved) compliments about your pants than that last pair of skinnies ever earned you.

Still scared? Click through to see six outfits that feature the jean in all its glory.