Remember a few years back, when, with no alternative, you'd be forced to pull out and struggle into those nearly skin-tight skinny jeans come autumn? Yeah, we didn't love that either. Fall is about heavy basics and comfy layers, not seeing if you can actually fit into your denim. There are so many other things to be worried about right now, so why concern yourself with trying to physically jump into your jeans? No, this season is all about a relaxed fit—something with a wider leg, easy waist and lots of room to walk in. Depending on the brand and make, it might have a different name: straight-fit, bootcut and the like all share the general shape of the relaxed jean. As it's the onset of fall, your jeans should be on the heavier side, too. Grab a pair that you like and wear them into the ground.

Much like a basic T-shirt, relaxed jeans are just about as versatile as you can get with a bottom, meaning oh-so-many ways to wear them. They pair well with other looser styles—for instance, a tee/flannel layer looks great with some easy denim. Relaxed doesn't have to mean casual, either. There are plenty of ways to style these bottoms, but one of our current favorites is leaning into western wear. Some quality leather shoes (cowboy or otherwise) and a ranch-style shirt can simultaneously bring a fun yet formal feel to some straight-fit or bootcut jeans. If you want to be extra adventurous, you can high-low-high, and dress up your denim with a wide-fitting button down on top and some loafers for the kicks. It's a killer combo, we promise. However you decide to wear your relaxed fit jeans this fall, make sure they're the right size for you: Relaxed doesn't mean two sizes too big. Shop our picks for the best relaxed-fit jeans of 2021 below.