I've been on a fitting room roll lately.  Thank you all for inspiring me and motivating me to just go get to it!  After my positive and impromptu birthday trip to Kohl's (and your positive reactions to the dresses I bought), I decided to go back and try on as many things as I could.  Today's post is all about my fitting room adventure and first impressions of the things I tried.  Enjoy!






Just a few notes before we get started:  I did this trip just under two weeks ago and everything is still available online as of the writing of this post.  Some are on sale right now, plus Kohl's has an extra 20% off code through the 19th.  All brands and sizes are labeled under each photo.  I find that I have to dig through clothing at Kohl's to find styles and sizes, so if you go in-store keep that in mind.  It can be frustrating, but do not get discouraged.  My local Kohl's has a pretty small plus area that is always in complete disarray.  Half of it is "granny wear", but you can really find some cute things.  Also, I can generally wear a size down in most everything at Kohl's.  Bottoms fit more true to size, but tops and dresses usually run big on me.

For reference, I typically wear a 22/24.  I am 5'9" and my measurements are 52/49/58.

TRY IT ON!  Even if you don't think it will look good on you, even if it seems like it won't fit - you won't know until you TRY IT ON!  It is the clothes that need to fit you, not you who needs to fit the clothes.  If it doesn't fit or doesn't look good, it is not a personal failing on your behalf.  Are we good?  Let's get to shopping!!!


Croft and Barrow Roll-Tab Shirt - Size 3X
I really have a hard time with button-down shirts.  If it fits my bust, it is usually too tight in the tummy/hips.  If it fits my hips, it is usually too baggy in the bust.  And often the upper arms are way too tight.  So I was really thrilled with the fit of this cotton plaid shirt.  It had a more relaxed feel and I love the coral/pink colors.  Obviously plaid button-down tops are pretty versatile and can go with just about anything you want to pair it with. Because this one is a lighter color, you can see my dark bra through the fabric.  I would definitely wear a camisole or tank underneath.

Croft and Barrow Classic Fit Twill Skort - Size 24W
The skort I am wearing is made of a stretchy denim-feel spandex/cotton material.  It looked kind of short on the hanger, but it has been decades since I wore a skort so wanted to give it a try.  It is really comfortable to wear.  The shorts underneath are long enough to alleviate chub rub for me.  The length was pretty great for a pencil skirt as well.  I do think I could have possibly sized down.  It fit great, but it seemed like it would be a little baggy with some wear. I have no idea how this fabric would stretch out with wearing though.  It was hard to find styles together and so many things were out of my size (or I just couldn't find them), so I have no comparison of what a size down looks like.  Still, it would be a great option for less layers, to keep chub rub at bay, and it was stretchy and comfy and cute. 



Jennifer Lopez Shirred Swing Tank - Size 2X
Obviously, I loved the color of this orange/coral top.  I generally shy away from halter styles because of my wider shoulders, but I thought this was cute.  Even wearing a 2X, I had plenty of room in this.  While the fabric wasn't my favorite (it felt like a slinkier, thinner polyester), it didn't cling to tummy rolls and just skimmed over all that.  I wasn't too keen on the length of the back of the top.  I think it would have looked much better had it been the same length all the way around.



Jennifer Lopez Grommet Satin Top - Size 1X
Chastity of GarnerStyle just posted a look with this top a few days after I tried it on.  I love the color, the V-neckline, and the grommet details at the shoulder.  The fabric is the slinkier, thinner poly of the last top, but this one was a bit clingier.  While it fit my bust well, it was too tight on the hips and wouldn't hang all the way down.  I should also point out, I thought I got a 2X (like the hanger said), but when I tried it on I saw it was a 1X top on the wrong hanger.  A 2X would have been a much better fit for me.



Jennifer Lopez Printed Crepe Swing Tank - Size 2X
This was one of those wild card pieces I picked up out of curiosity.  When I do these fitting room posts I try to have a good mix of things I am drawn to and styles I love, as well as things I don't personally like or don't think they will look good on me.  For me, it is really important to show you all as many styles and fabrics as I can, whenever possible.  While I do like the tropical vibe and colors of this top, the pattern isn't my favorite.  Also, I do not at all like these "ladybug wing" tops that have been pretty popular as of late.  I just don't like the way it looks nor do I think it looks good on my body.  The fabric has zero stretch, so the fit of the hips is really important.  I think this was a little more fitted in the back and didn't quite lay down flat.  What I do like is the length of the front of the top and the beaded neckline. 



Rock and Republic Embellished Flag Tank - Size 2X
The pattern on this top is not my aesthetic, but this is a really comfy knit tank.  I feel like it was cut really well and fit great.  It has more room through the tummy and hips and is made of a really soft knit fabric.  Had the color and pattern been more "me", I probably would have bought it.



Sonoma Goods For Life Hooded Raglan Top - Size 2X
It is no secret that I am a pretty casual dresser, so I was excited about this top.  I LOVE the color, the 3/4 sleeves, the cute little hood.  The length is great. The fabric is a thinner knit.  I am probably going to order this online.  I actually have the page open in my browser as I debate about it.  I would size up though because I do not like how clingy this is on my tummy roll.  It made me feel really cute and Sporty Spicey. lol

Tek Gear Dry Tek Capri Workout Leggings - Size 3X
I wanted to get some workout gear in the mix for this post, so I picked up these leggings to try.  I love the vibrant pattern on the waistband and legs.  The placement of the pattern is also very "flattering" (I hate that word, but I can't think of another word to use right now).  There are mesh panels towards the bottom of each leg under the pattern.  And can I just tell you about how excited I was about my butt in these leggings??  My butt looks so round and perky. I was on Cloud 9!  I think this is when I realized that my current workouts have really made a difference in my butt. LOL  I flew out of the dressing room to show Sean, because I knew he would love it!  ANYWAY, these aren't as thick as the Old Navy compression capri leggings, but they feel very supportive and seem to smooth out any lumps or cellulite.  I seriously want to buy these too, although honestly I don't need another pair of workout leggings right now.



Lee Jenson Active Capris - Size 24W
Same top, but different pant.  If leggings aren't your thing, these active capris are a great alternative.  The material isn't super thick and is very smooth (poly/spandex).  They have great stretch and movement and didn't seem to make a swishing noises when I walked.  Again, they fit my butt great, but I also love that they weren't too baggy in the legs.



Sonoma Goods For Life Henley Tank - Size 3X
This was my other favorite complete look, mainly because of the color combo.  I thought it was fun and summery.  I LOVE the color of this tank.  It fit really well, great length, armholes were not too big.  The cut was great. I wish it had longer short sleeves or 3/4 sleeves because I like the arm coverage.  Otherwise, this gets a big thumbs up from me.

Lee Harper Relaxed Fit Skimmer Capris - Size 24W
I'm always worried about the fit of non-denim capris because the stretch of the fabric can be hit or miss.  These were actually pretty comfy and did have some stretch to them.  The color is called "Raspberry Sorbet" online, but I would call it "Warm Terracotta" or something like that instead.  It was more of a darker warm coral in person and certainly not as bright as they look online.  The fit was great, material wasn't too thick.  Also worth mentioning, the back part of the waistband is a soft stretchy knit.  Another one of my favorites from the whole adventure.



Sonoma Goods For Life Cargo Twill Capris - Size 24W
For some reason, Sean always picks cargo type capris like this for me to try on.  I am always iffy about them and he thinks they will be cute. Well, I loved the coral ones I chose.  These fit better than I expected, but the pockets stuck out a little on the sides. They are made of a cotton/spandex fabric, so they do have some stretch to them. The back part of the waistband is a soft stretchy knit.



Lee Andi Active Skort - Size 24W
I saw this skort last time I was in store and wanted to try a skort since it has been so long.  The poly/spandex fabric is super stretchy and comfy.  They felt thick enough to have structure, but not too warm.  The shorts underneath seemed long enough to cover chub rub.  Overall, it looks cute, but it is definitely shorter than I would prefer.  Plus, it goes up higher in the back to accommodate my butt.  I didn't like these as much as I liked the denim skort from the beginning of the post.



Apt. 9 Printed High-Low Hem Dress - Size 2X
You know I had to go ahead and try on the black and white version of the high-low dresses I bought.  I cannot recommend this dress enough.  I know some of you went out and bought it after my post.  I am thrilled that you guys are loving it as much as I do.  So this is the third color/pattern option.  It was also super cute and comfy, but I do like the more colorful versions more.  Of course, since this is black and white you could accessorize with any color your heart desires.  Thumbs up!



Jennifer Lopez Maxi Dress - Size 2X
I also saw this dress last time I was in store.  I wasn't crazy about the silky polyester fabric, but the color is AMAZING in person.  I like the bloused look like this in dresses.  I feel like it helps proportion my body better since my bust is much smaller.  I actually thought it looked good on me, halter neckline and all!  The waistline is elastic, but it also has a tie belt with little metal ends.  The tie was attached to the dress with a plastic tag, so I couldn't do much with it in the dressing room.  I also couldn't get the back of the neckline secured by myself.  The dress hit me around the ankles, but wasn't so high you could see much of my shoes had I been wearing any.  There are also sexy slits on the sides that go up to about knee height.  This dress would be great to wear to a summer wedding.



Jennifer Lopez Scoopneck Tank - Size 2X
I grabbed this top because it was shimmery, had a chain thing attached to it, and was cut in more of a swing tank style.  It was actually cuter on than I imagined it would be.  I do like the more full cut.  However, the scoop neckline was low enough to show the top of my bra and the armholes were pretty darn big.



Rock and Republic Kendall Cuffed Capri Jeans - Size 24W
My first thought was that these were too tight.  Yes, they are stretchy and comfortable, but they are also more form-fitting like skinny jeans.  I felt a little self-conscious.  I am not a fan of the big cuff at the bottom, but it was easiest for me to just cuff it that way instead of doing something else.  I can't remember now if they were sewn up in the cuff or if they rolled down all the way.  I did, however, think my butt looked great in them.  Again with the butt.  Truly, I am not obsessed with that part of my body, but it is a part I have recently become okay with. lol  Looking at the photos now, I think these look pretty darn good.  I would totally go back and try them on again.



Sonoma Goods For Life Scoopneck Fit and Flare Dress - Size 3X
This dress seemed hit or miss from the hanger.  I love the full skirt and more empire-like waist.  I wasn't sure about the higher scoopneck and I knew I wouldn't like the super short sleeves.  Overall, I was mostly right.  I do love the soft poly/rayon fabric.  It is comfortable and stretchy.  I do not like the sleeves, but the neckline wasn't a big deal.  I loved the fullness of the skirt.  I felt like this dress's biggest issue was the fabric.  In comparison to the Apt. 9 dress, this is a thinner material even though it is the same stretch-wise.  Thus all my lumps and bumps show because this fabric just doesn't help the overall structure of the dress.



Chaps Printed Empire Dress - Size 22W
This was the worst fitting item of my trip.  Granted it is a size smaller than I would have normally chosen, but that was all I could find.  I loved the colors of this dress and thought the cut would be good for my body.  It probably would have had it been the right size.  I like the wider straps and v-neckline.  The length hit right at the knee. The material was a really stretchy, comfortable material.  This was also the most expensive item, which I personally thought was nuts because it didn't feel any more luxurious than anything else I tried on.


To wrap things up, Kohl's is an underrated and often overlooked shopping destination, in my opinion.  Even I sometimes forget it is an option.  Digging through clothing is annoying and frustrating, but there are treasures to be found.  I think there are pieces at Kohl's that are definitely worth your time.  While some of the original prices can be a bit steep, they have great clearance and sale prices.  And don't just stop at fashion, they also carry some great shoe brands, handbags, jewelry, scarves, cute frames, home goods, etc.  I like a lot of their men's clothing as well, though they don't carry plus size men's clothing at my local store.  If I want to buy something for Sean, I can only do it online.