Sweater weather is almost here
Kohl’s
Fall fashion is upon us. It’s the best time of the year to update your closet—autumnal trends are in full force and the changing of the seasons is the ultimate signifier that it’s time to switch up your style. But in the age of blink-and-you-miss-it microtrends, it’s hard knowing what’s worth adding to your closet. That’s where fashion stylist and Kohl’s Trend Expert Kenzie Welch comes in.
But remember that fashion rule are meant to be broken, so wear what’s true to you and your personal style. “I don’t fall for those fashion rules,” Welch says. “I think what feels natural and the most you is what you should lean into. I’m all about embracing who you are and where you’re at and really finding what works for you, depending on what the trend is.”
Welch shares the biggest fashion trends for fall 2025. The best part is you likely already have a few pieces in your closet—it’s all about how you style them.
Heritage and harvest
“This is like the ultimate pumpkin spice latte,” Welch says. “Imagine going through the pumpkin fields—this is the vibe, but it has an elevated look to it.” Think a chic take on a flannel that’s more fashion-forward and less lumberjack. Despite being super comfortable, Welch points out that it’s perfect to wear with trousers or jeans. “You could also do it with a suede skirt, so you can mix textures together,” she adds. It’s a great transition piece from fall to winter because you can go from a t-shirt to a long-sleeved shirt underneath once the temperature drops. “I always like a layered piece,” Welch says.
Another option is a classic knit sweater, which can be paired with a leather skirt or even shorts, tights and boots. “You can make it a more elevated flare, but it just has that really cozy vibe,” Welch says.
“We’re going to continue to see the resurgence of dark denim,” Welch says. “Light wash denim has been all the craze, and then in the last year we’ve seen lots of dark denim coming back into the sphere. We’re moving away from the oversized, baggy fit—it’s still going to be relevant, but something that feels a little bit more sleek is going to fall well into this trend.”
Top off fall fits with cozy scarves—think last year’s iconic Acne Studio scarf (and its many imitators) that is still going strong.
Playful prep
“Playful prep is similar to that fisherman aesthetic that was strong back in spring,” Welch says. “This leads into that, but it has that preppy flair to it that’s also really comfortable. When we think about prep, we typically think about neutral tones, but with playful prep, it incorporates more bold color. You’re going to still see the stripes and nautical theme, but it’s going to have a little bit more interest to it, so lots of mixed prints, like doing a nice plaid skirt or pant and mixing a collegiate style sweatshirt with it adds a fun fashion flair.” This is a perfect opportunity to pair it with anything leopard print—it’s the latest way to do maximalism, but with a subdued, sophisticated touch.
Collegiate-inspired style in general will have a stronger hold on fall. “Something like a knit tee with a pair of trousers and heels gives that laidback look that’s playful, but still very classic,” Welch says. Keep an eye out for pleated details, too.
Soft layering
“People have been wearing those capsule wardrobe styles in the last year or so,” Welch says. “That’s become so popular, but what we’re thinking about now is how to layer that in a way that looks more effortless but more fashion forward. A lot of people think of a capsule wardrobe as a basic pair of pants and a top and call it a day. We want to think through being intentional with how we’re layering pieces.”
An easy way to translate that is to take a pleated leather skirt, paired with a bright chunky knit for a pop of color and topped with a blazer or jacket. It’s all about wearing fashion fundamentals together in new ways. “It’s a lot of layering pieces, but they feel soft and intentional—they don’t feel heavy and over the top,” Welch says. “A soft layering texture is going to be an important component, like corduroy. How can we be a little bit more intentional or different with trouser styles?” Mastering the trend is about what you pair it with on top, plus you can complete the fall vibes with penny loafers and fashion socks or boots.
