A cashmere bralette and a cardigan once stopped the internet. That 2019 sidewalk snap of Katie Holmes crystallized a way of dressing that feels effortless yet polished, grounded in real life and New York sidewalks. Since then, her look has become a north star for quiet-luxe fans who want clothes that breathe, move, and still read chic at first glance.
The formula is clear from day one : relaxed tailoring, roomy denim, soft knits, flats or low heels, a clean palette, and one elevated anchor. Her choices move product, too. Vogue reported in August 2019 that Khaite’s cashmere “Eda” bralette and “Scarlet” cardigan sold out within 24 hours after that photo. When Katie Holmes steps out in practical pieces – think Birkenstock Boston clogs – the wave follows. Lyst’s Q3 2022 Index named the Boston the hottest product of the quarter, as celebrities popularized the easy clog. Then came December 9, 2022, when the dress-over-jeans at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball sparked a 2000s revival conversation all over again.
Katie Holmes style today : viral moments, wearable rules
The big idea : Holmes dresses like a person who has places to go. She blends softness with structure – a tailored coat over slouchy jeans, a ribbed knit with ballet flats. Comfort stays non-negotiable, elegance never leaves the frame.
A few touchstones built that reputation. In August 2019, the Khaite cashmere set turned into a case study in stealth glamour, selling out the same day according to Vogue. Then in late 2022, she surprised with a strapless top over straight-leg jeans and sneakers at Jingle Ball in New York, a look documented by The Cut on December 10, 2022, that reignited a Y2K layer debate. Not random stunts – just a willingness to test familiar proportions in public.
There is history behind the polish. Katie Holmes co-founded fashion label Holmes et Yang in 2009 and wound it down in 2014, as reported by WWD. That stint often shows in her eye for cut, fabric, and drape. Simple, but intentional.
How to get the Katie Holmes look without the splurge
Plenty of closets already hold the ingredients. The trick is balance : roomy next to neat, texture next to clean lines, neutrals with a single refined piece. Mix high-low so the outfit never shouts.
Yes, trends orbit her. Lyst’s Q3 2022 Index put the Birkenstock Boston at number one worldwide, and Holmes was among the celebrities wearing clogs on city streets that season. But the repeatable method matters more than any single product. Think long coat plus slouchy denim, soft knit plus minimal shoe, a structured bag for lift. New Yorkers know.
Try it in steps, then increase the polish once the silhouette feels right. The goal is ease first, elegance second – not the other way round.
- Start with straight or wide-leg denim in a mid wash, then add a ribbed knit or fine cardigan.
- Layer a long tailored coat in camel, navy, or charcoal to sharpen the lines.
- Choose grounded footwear : ballet flats, loafers, low heels, or clogs for off-duty.
- Carry a structured leather tote or small shoulder bag; keep hardware subtle.
- Finish with quiet jewelry and a belt – small details that read considered, not fussy.
Brands and pieces Katie Holmes actually wears
The Khaite moment is well documented. Vogue named the exact pieces – the “Eda” bralette and “Scarlet” cardigan – and confirmed the sellout in 24 hours back in 2019. That set became shorthand for soft luxury worn the city way, not only for a red carpet.
On feet, the Birkenstock Boston surged in 2022, with Lyst ranking it the hottest product for Q3. Holmes was part of the wave that normalized clogs as city shoes again. For dress-over-denim chatter, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on December 9, 2022 marked the flashpoint, tracked by The Cut the next day and debated across fashion corners for a week.
Beyond headlines, her staples stay minimilist and tactile : menswear coats, crisp shirts, roomy jeans, ballet flats, small shoulder bags. Think fabric first, logo last.
Why Katie Holmes style keeps trending
It is not hype alone. The clothes solve a daily problem : how to look finished without feeling trussed up. The silhouettes are forgiving, the palette calm, the textures rich enough for interest on camera or subway.
Numbers tell part of the story. When a single candid can empty full-price cashmere in a day – as Vogue noted in August 2019 – audience trust is at work. When a comfortable clog tops the Lyst Index in Q3 2022, the market signals that practicality sells. Holmes lands right where those lines cross.
So the missing piece is not a trend but a habit. Repeat what she repeats : invest in one elevated item per look, keep everything else simple, adjust proportions until the outfit flows. The result reads modern without trying, which is exactly why her style keeps getting saved to mood boards.