Kohl’s Try-On Haul: Part 1: 5 Must-Have Outfits for Fall

The holiday season is approaching, and you know what that means: cozy fabrics, easy dressing, and a little bit of sparkle! My daughter-in-law, Stephanie, who is 5’3″ tall, hit up Kohl’s to try on some of the best affordable finds for fall and winter.

Because she found so many great pieces, we’ve split the haul into two posts. Today, in Part 1, we’re sharing five versatile looks perfect for everything from weekend errands to casual holiday gatherings. Get ready to see how a few key pieces from Kohl’s can completely update your wardrobe!

Outfit 1: Luxe Leisure Velour Set

This outfit proves that you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. This two-piece velour set is the definition of elevated athleisure, making it perfect for travel days, working from home, or running errands with maximum comfort.

The Outfit Breakdown

• Zip-Front Velour Hoodie: This isn’t your average hoodie! The velour fabric instantly elevates it, giving it a soft, luxurious texture. What really makes it stand out are the subtle puff sleeves, which add a touch of feminine trendiness and structure, turning a basic zip-up into a statement piece.
• Bootcut Velour Pants: These matching pants feature a flattering bootcut silhouette, which balances the volume of the top perfectly. They are pull-on, prioritizing ease and comfort. (Note: These pants were only available in plus sizes during the try-on, with smaller sizes currently sold out.)
• adidas Sneakers: Pairing the plush velour with a classic adidas athletic sneaker keeps the look grounded and modern. The retro running shoe design adds a sporty, everyday feel that balances the luxe fabric.

Why This Look Works for Petites

The key to making this cozy set flattering on a petite frame is the bootcut pant paired with a sneaker. The bootcut gently flares at the bottom, creating a long, continuous line that elongates the leg when the shoe is slightly chunkier, like the adidas sneaker. The hoodie is zipped up, which creates a vertical line down the center of the body, slimming and lengthening the torso.

Outfit 2: Polished Knit & Cropped Trousers

This is the perfect look for a sophisticated lunch date, a casual office day, or even Thanksgiving dinner. It blends a neutral, textured knit with a wide-leg pant, achieving that highly coveted comfortable-but-chic style.

The Outfit Breakdown

• Chain Shine Sweater: This neutral oatmeal knit is anything but boring! The chain shine detail along the neckline adds a built-in necklace effect, giving you that polished shimmer without needing extra jewelry. Tucking it in (or doing a small front tuck) is crucial to defining the waist.
• Wide Leg Cropped Pants: Wide-leg cropped pants continue to dominate, and this pair offers great structure and polish. The dark wash or tone helps ground the light sweater, and the fabric drapes beautifully, adding movement and sophistication.
• Sling Back Heels: These sling-backs are the secret weapon here. They add a graceful pointed-toe element that peeks out beneath the wide-leg crop, instantly elongating the leg line.

Why This Look Works for Petites

The success of these wide-leg cropped pants on a shorter frame hinges on two key factors: the super high-rise waist and the pointed shoe. The super high-rise instantly moves your waistline up, creating the illusion of longer legs from the hip down. The pointed toe of the sling-back heel extends that line past the cropped hem, preventing the wide-leg fabric from cutting off your height. This combination creates balance and height in a tricky silhouette.

Outfit 3: The Feminine Midi Skirt Column

This look re-imagines the neutral sweater and pointed heel combination with a flowing midi skirt for a feminine, comfortable, and elongating effect. It’s a gorgeous look for a holiday brunch or a dressed-up evening out.

The Outfit Breakdown

• Chain Shine Sweater: The same beautiful knit from Outfit 2 is used here, but it’s fully tucked into the skirt. This is essential to create a smooth line and define the waist, ensuring the outfit looks tailored and not bulky.
• Godet Midi Skirt: This skirt is the star! The midi length hits at a very flattering point, and the godet detailing (the triangular fabric inserts) gives the skirt gorgeous movement and flow when you walk. The rich, dark color helps create a solid base.
• Sling Back Heels: The sling-backs repeat here to provide height and that crucial pointed toe, which keeps the ankle area clean and contributes to the long line created by the skirt.

Why This Look Works for Petites

The secret to this outfit’s success on a petite frame is that the midi-length skirt is generally very flattering, as long as the hem hits below the knee but above the mid-calf, preventing the fabric from overwhelming a shorter height.

Outfit 4: Shearling Textures & Modern Proportions

This outfit takes the core high-rise pants and pointed heels from previous looks and adds a show-stopping layer, the shearling jacket, for a look that is both warm and incredibly chic. This is perfect for chilly fall days that still require a polished, intentional look.

The Outfit Breakdown

• Faux Fur Shearling Jacket: This is the ultimate statement piece for texture! The faux shearling and fur combination makes this jacket look expensive and cozy. The collarless design keeps the neckline clean, which is great when pairing with a crewneck or turtleneck underneath. The cropped length is key for modern proportions.
• Cozy Pearl Pullover Sweater: Stephanie layered the shearling over a simple, soft knit. This pearl pullover is used here for its beautiful, neutral color and subtle texture, creating a smooth, non-bulky layer under the jacket.
• Wide Leg Cropped Pants: The same high-rise trousers from Outfit 2 are used again, proving their versatility. They provide structure and a wide-leg line that perfectly balances the volume of the shearling on top.
• Sling Back Heels: The pointed-toe heels complete the high-fashion silhouette by adding necessary height and defining the lower leg line.

Why This Look Works for Petites

This outfit masters the crucial rule of styling outerwear on a petite frame: short over long. The cropped, boxy jacket ends right at the high-rise waistline of the pants. This creates the illusion that your legs start much higher than they actually do, completely maximizing your leg length. The volume of the shearling on top is balanced by the structured wide-leg pant and the height added by the pointed heel, preventing the jacket from overwhelming your entire frame.

Outfit 5: Coordinated Sweater Set with Tall Boots

This final look for Part 1 is the definition of effortless elegance. A matching sweater top and midi skirt instantly look expensive and put-together, requiring minimal styling. It’s a gorgeous option for a casual workplace or a holiday party.

The Outfit Breakdown

• Mockneck Pullover Sweater: This soft knit top, in a soft ivory, features a chic mockneck, which is extremely flattering. The simple, fine-gauge knit makes it perfect for a smooth tuck.
• Midi A-Line Sweater Skirt: The magic of this outfit is the matching A-line skirt in the same ivory color that coordinates beautifully with the top. The soft sweater knit drapes beautifully, creating a comfortable yet refined silhouette.
• Block Heel Boots: Tall boots are the perfect complement to a midi skirt for winter. These boots provide a sleek line beneath the skirt’s hem. Crucially, the block heel makes them extremely wearable, while the square toe offers a modern update to a classic shape.

Why This Look Works for Petites

This look utilizes the power of the “column of color” effect. By pairing the top and skirt closely (even if they aren’t the exact same color, the ivory shades create a cohesive column), you achieve an unbroken vertical line that lengthens the entire body. The A-line skirt flares gently away from the hip, defining the waist without adding bulk, and the tall boots seamlessly continue the line from the skirt’s hem, preventing the legs from being visually chopped.

What’s Next in Part 2?

That wraps up the first half of our Kohl’s try-on haul! We covered everything from cozy velour sets to polished sweater skirts, focusing on versatile pieces that work perfectly for petite frames.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Stephanie dives into more gorgeous knits, different denim styles, and versatile layering pieces perfect for the coldest months ahead.

Which of these five outfits was your favorite? Let me know if you want to see the links for any of these items pulled out separately!

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Proverbs 16:2 (NIV)
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