Pre-pandemic, the idea of “comfort dressing” never really crossed my mind. At the office, I’d always dress to impress, gravitating towards constricting trousers or blazers in which I could barely move my arms. After work, I’d then meet a few friends for happy hour drinks and slip into some Cuban heeled boots, tight pants, and a clingy top that would itch and scratch me all night. Ah, memories. Coming home, slightly buzzed from martinis—my arches aching from the boots that I stuffed my feet into—I’d have zero regrets about it all. I didn’t care because I looked good in the moment.

The words “comfy” or “practical” were ones I rarely thought about in my wardrobe before last year—but ironically, comfort dressing ended up becoming my prime fashion focus in 2020. With a stay-at-home order and a new work-from-home lifestyle, I suddenly found myself giving my uncomfy clothes a major rest this past year. The most worn item in my wardrobe has become the sweatsuit—and admit it, it’s yours, too! I’ve worked in sweats, I’ve run errands in sweats—there isn’t much I don’t do in sweats. And with nobody around to see what I’m wearing, why bother with anything else when I can be cozy?

However, that was then—and this is now. Spring is officially here, and as the vaccines are being rolled out, it seems like it’s officially time to think about reemerging into the world again. And more importantly, it’s time to start dressing up again. I certainly have missed flexing a statement outfit and wearing something uncomfortable, just for the sake of the look. Beauty is pain, after all! And it turns out, I’m not alone in this sentiment.

My colleague, Vogue market editor Rachel Besser, agrees it’s time to bust out the going-out heels, corsets, and slinky tops again. “This past year, I didn’t want to think about, let alone feel, my clothes on my body as I spent my days cooped up at home,” says Besser. “Now, with reemergence on the horizon, I have found myself craving the antithesis of comfort-first clothes. I want to wear clothes I can physically feel on my body again.”

Lucky for us both, there are a few spring trends that are emerging now, which are perfect for putting our anti-comfort sensibilities to the test. Whether it’s a skyscraper heel, a saucy tight pant, or a bold (and heavy!) earring to finish off the ensemble, there’s a number of fashion-focused pieces that one can start considering again this season—they might even make us feel “normal” again, too. “To me, earning slightly-sore feet from a pair of heels, or feeling snug and cinched in a structured top as I head out to a socially-distanced dinner, actually help mark the end of what’s been a long and turbulent year,” says Besser. “It’s time to get uncomfortable again.” So long, sweatpants!

Below, four things we’re ready to wear again this spring.

Waist-Snatching Corsets

Mach & Mach crystal-embellished satin corset

$835

MODA OPERANDI

Vivienne Westwood classic corset cherry

$1,555

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

Orseund Iris velvet-trimmed cotton-canvas bustier top

$685

NET-A-PORTER

Miaou Leia corset

$225

MIAOU

Balmain lace-up wool-blend flannel bustier top

$2,295

NET-A-PORTER

Danielle Guizio bustier lace-up corset top

$192

BROWNS

Fleur du Mal knit corset top

$275

FLEUR DU MAL

Reformation Minton bow-detailed floral-print linen top

$130

NET-A-PORTER

Renaissance Renaissance firebird pintucked cotton-gauze and grain de poudre

$520

NET-A-PORTER

Nanushka Dahlia faux-leather bustier top

$260

BROWNS

Door Knocker Earrings

Mounser silver Found Object earrings

$255

SSENSE

Paco Rabanne gold-tone flexible chain-mail drape earrings

$345

BROWNS

Laura Lombardi Scala gold-tone earrings

$130

NET-A-PORTER

AZ Factory gold-tone faux-pearl earrings

$375

NET-A-PORTER

Sterling King gold-plated Sylvia crystal drop earrings

$409

BROWNS

Alessandra Rich silver-tone crystal and faux-pearl clip earrings

$510

NET-A-PORTER

Mondo Mondo gold-plated oyster pendant earrings

$325

BROWNS

Kenneth Jay Lane gold-tone crystal clip on earrings

$235

BROWNS

Simone Rocha white cluster drip earrings

$270

SSENSE

Isabel Marant silver-tone crystal earrings

$315

NET-A-PORTER

Skyscraper Heels

Gianvito Rossi 105 leather-trimmed fishnet pumps

$745

NET-A-PORTER

Bottega Veneta chain-embellished leather sandals

$930

NET-A-PORTER

Amina Muaddi black Awge edition crystal butterfly phoenix sling heels

$1,345

SSENSE

Roger Vivier broche Vivier buckle pumps in satin

$1,875

ROGER VIVIER

Mango high-heeled shoes with straps

$120

MANGO

Tamara Mellon Absolute Nappa sandals

$650

TAMARA MELLON

The Attico Venus leather pumps with chain anklet

$765

MODA OPERANDI

Jacquemus Les Novio sandals

$700

SHOPBOP

Wandler 85mm strappy slide sandals

$490$196

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Zara tie-back ruched heeled shoes

$50

ZARA

Tight, Taut Pants

Area Lurex skinny pants

$550

NET-A-PORTER

Reese Cooper cotton 3D pocket pant in Khaki

$498

REESE COOPER

Khaite the Charles pant in cognac suede

$2,900

KHAITE

Proenza Schouler leather pants

$1,990

PROENZA SCHOULER

Nanushka Tabbie checked seersucker straight-leg pants

$380

NET-A-PORTER

Rotate Birger Chirstensen jewel faux patent-leather slim-leg pants

$240

NET-A-PORTER

Tibi Cassius slim-leg trousers

$475

BROWNS

Tre by Natalie Ratabesi the Lynne cotton-blend twill skinny pants

$1,000

NET-A-PORTER

Peter Do woven slim-leg pants

$985$493

NET-A-PORTER