"I woke up the next morning and I was like, 'Oh my god,' I guess I didn't know that it was such a thing," Katie Holmes told Drew Barrymore in 2023, after her dress-over-pants look went viral. Two years later on November 18, she channeled the revival she divisively pioneered, but this time it was no accident.
Holmes spent Tuesday evening with hundreds of fellow theatre-goers at the opening performance of This World of Tomorrow, starring Tom Hanks at New York City's The Shed. Before the play, she posed for photographers with dress-over-pants set on full display. Stylist Brie Welch dressed Holmes in The Albers Dress, courtesy of New York City-based label, Attersee. Every element—from the racer neckline to the structured silk-wool blend—made it the perfect fall pick. In lieu of buttons, corset-inspired hook-and-eye clasps cascaded down the sleeveless dress. Over-emphasized satin pleats followed the same vertical path.
If you assumed Holmes would slip on tights and call it a day, think again. She went with wide-leg trousers instead, also from Attersee. They were a perfect shade match to the Dawson's Creek alum's dark gray (borderline black) dress. Each extra-long hem kept her choice of footwear hidden from sight. Knowing Holmes, however, pointy boots made the cut.
Katie Holmes is taking the dress-over-pants trend on a redemption tour.
Holmes's sleek accessory stack began with a four-figure purse from Loro Piana. The Extra Pocket L27 model in navy blue popped against her sdarker dress. You may recognize its elongated center closure—Ariana Grande, Blackpink's Lisa, and Sofia Richie Grainge own the same silhouette.
The Extra Pocket is the first Loro Piana bag to join Holmes's ever-expanding collection, but judging by the brand's celebrity clientele, it won't be the last.
Holmes hasn't worn the dress-over-pants trend as often as her fellow early-aughts stars. Back in the trend's original heyday, it was a staple pairing for Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, and Jessica Alba.
Now, Holmes is making up for lost time. Her December 2022 rendition went the casual route, with light-wash Reformation jeans and Maison Margiela sneakers. All these years later, Holmes proved the once-controversial layering duo can be dressed up with ease.
Shop the Dress-Over-Pants Trend Inspired by Katie Holmes
Should Holmes's select sell out, shop this similar under-$500 shift dress instead.
Pair it with matching dark-denim jeans for the Holmes effect.
Linen makes Sézane's button-down shifts especially comfortable.
Extra points if you layer the matching trousers underneath.
Tuckernuck offers a similar button-down dress, also in gray wool.
It's only a matter of time before Holmes tests La Ligne's trousers. Her fellow New Yorker, Jennifer Lawrence, fell for them years ago.
