Katie Holmes has long been a quiet force in fashion. While she isn’t one to chase trends with abandon, her knack for selecting pieces that feel both effortless and just a little offbeat is what makes her a perennial style muse.
Katie has redefined modern and contemporary style, making a case for neutral hues and simple, tailored silhouettes that feel uniquely hers.
But it was that time she broke the internet when hailing a taxi, that really caught our attention. Stepping out in a matching knit cashmere cardigan and bra by the brand, Khaite, paired with cropped jeans in just the right wash, was a moment that spurred a Katie Holmes style revolution that had us coveting every item in her wardrobe forever more.
The actor-turned-director’s latest off-duty look is a perfect case in point of her continued sartorial rule: a study in timeless staples, each with a twist that makes them entirely fresh, but easily adaptable to your own capsule wardrobe.
The Art Of the ‘Slightly Off’ Wardrobe Staple
Holmes understands something that many struggle to master—the key to looking effortless isn’t in reinventing the wheel, but in tweaking the proportions, textures, or details of everyday pieces to give them that indefinable something.
Just take the black leather jacket she chose for a recent New York stroll. It isn’t just oversized; it’s perfectly oversized. Structured enough to maintain shape but roomy enough to exude nonchalance, it embodies the elusive balance between polished and undone that makes for perfect autumn outfit inspiration.
Paired with a striped tee and cosy hooded knit, there’s enough variation in texture to create layers of interest, but the entire look hinges on restraint – every element classic, but none predictable.
And then, of course, there are the sneakers.
The Footwear Effect
Sneakers may be a street style staple, but Holmes sidesteps the expected by opting for the ECCO Biom 2.2 – a shoe that feels refreshingly different in a sea of chunky dad sneakers and ultra-minimalist trainers. With its sculptural sole and textural contrast, it’s the kind of sneaker that whispers rather than shouts, seamlessly elevating her relaxed outfit. The result? A lesson in how to inject interest into a look without veering into overworked outfit territory.
Here, she’s paired them with an ankle cropped straight leg jean that’s relaxed enough to feel casual but structured enough to elevate the overall ensemble and prevent the stark white of the shoes from taking over.
It’s the same approach she takes to footwear time and again. Think back to her penchant for ballet flats before they resurged, or her embrace of sleek loafers when the world was still in the grips of Birkenstock mania. She has an uncanny ability to choose the option that is just left of centre – the one that might not immediately grab attention but remains in your sartorial subconscious for a while.
Holmes’ latest outing serves as a quiet reminder that great style isn’t about being the loudest in the room. Instead, it’s about refining the basics until they feel like yours.
A leather jacket that drapes just so. Denim that feels worn-in but intentional. Sneakers that strike the perfect balance between practical and intriguing.
For those looking to update their wardrobe with pieces that feel both timeless and modern, the lesson is clear: start with the staples—but make them unexpected.
Related articles:
- Katie Holmes’ Best Fashion Moments
- These Are, Hands Down, The Best Jeans For Women
- The 11 Wardrobe Essentials You Need To Create The Ultimate Workdrobe
