Katie Holmes' Style Transformation From Dawson's Creek To NYC

Katie Holmes has had quite the style transformation since she first rose to fame as the fresh-faced Joey Potter on "Dawson's Creek" in 1998. But unlike some of her fellow teen TV stars who also became huge names — such as Met Gala queen Blake Lively – Holmes isn't as interested in the fashion side of fame. "Fashion is really big, and it didn't used to be. As an actor, you weren't necessarily photographed all the time on the street. It's different now, and it's flattering, but it doesn't change how I live or dress," she told Town & Country in August 2024. But don't think that means this beauty doesn't like getting dressed up, especially for fun work opportunities. "I enjoy [fashion]. I mean, I enjoy the craftsmanship. I enjoy putting things together," Holmes explained to Glamour in 2023. "And I work with [stylist] Brie Welch, and she's very detail oriented, and that inspires me."

No matter what she's wearing though, Holmes' looks always have an air of accessibility. She's never fully embraced out there, avant-garde pieces or followed trends if they feel inauthentic, instead forging a casual yet polished niche that seems easy to imitate while evolving her style in a way that feels natural.

Katie Holmes made one of her first red carpet appearances at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in April 1998, three months after "Dawson's Creek" premiered, where she gave us a first look at her low-key, casual aesthetic. For the occasion, she wore a simple, sheer black blouse over a long black dress and sheer black pantyhose. Though the look was undeniably very '90s, it didn't exactly capture the fun of the kids' event. One could argue it actually aged Holmes, who was just 19 at the time.

When she later walked the red carpet for the Emmys in September 1998, Holmes proved she still wasn't quite sure of her own style (which was totally understandable for someone so young). This time, she opted for a white bridal-inspired dress that was much more in keeping with her youthful, squeaky-clean aesthetic. The floor-length, lace white gown showed her romantic side, while her quirky, floral bag made added girl-next-door vibes. Clearly, the star was ready to have fun with fashion, but it would take some time for her to work out what works for her.

By 2000, Katie Holmes was quickly becoming a household name thanks to "Dawson's Creek" and small roles in the likes of "Wonder Boys" and "The Gift." With more attention on her, it made sense that she started to carve out a niche style. So it's probably not surprising that she walked the red carpet for the premiere of "Boys & Girls" that June in a totally Y2k ensemble; double denim. Once again showing off her penchant for casual and cute, Holmes wore black jeans with a red crop top and dark wash denim jacket. 

The following October, we saw again that she hadn't quite worked out her fashion lane when she walked the red carpet for "Tigerland" in a sheer spotted brown blouse and wide-legged cream pants. Though the smart casual getup didn't compromise her desire to feel comfortable, it lacked any kind of wow factor. 

Katie Holmes adopted a more glamorous wardrobe in 2005 as she began to climb to movie star status after starring in "Batman Begins." In May of that year, around the same time she began a romance with Tom Cruise, her' sophisticated side come out for the Tokyo premiere. She wowed in a strapless brown gown with faux exposed vertical stitching, paired with smart pointed toe brown heels and a cute up-do. The star wasn't known for over the top sparkles or dramatic embellishments, so the simple dress made sense as a transition from casual to glam. It also complimented her warm skin tone and brunette tresses, giving her a radiant, healthy glow.

At the Berlin premiere for the film the following month, she amped up the glam factor even more in a strapless high-low red gown with gold kitten heels and an elegant silver necklace. This gown was timeless, suggesting she was ready to experiment with elevated styles.

When it comes to pregnancy style, you can say Holmes is the blueprint for casual chic. She showed that when she stepped out with pal Victoria Beckham in January 2006 in an oversized silky top, blue jeans, and pink satin ballet flats. Four months later, she repeated the aesthetic as paparazzi snapped photos of her shopping in Los Angeles while wearing a flowy white top that hugged her growing bump. The star looked cute, comfy, and ready for whatever the day may bring.

She didn't fall into the trap of dressing for others, opting for comfortable styles that reflected her style at the time. Holmes shared that sentiment with Glamour in 2023, admitting she refused let her celebrity status dictate what she wears privately. "It's a funny world because the culture of celebrity and the access that exists now could be quite a distraction from who the person is. I'm an actor, so people say, 'Oh, do you think about what you wear before you go to the grocery store?' No, because it's not my job. You know what I mean?" Yes, queen.

The year after daughter Suri Cruise was born, Katie Holmes really stepped her style game. We saw a new side to the new mom in January 2007 when she posed alongside Roberta Armani at Georgio Armani's Spring/Summer 2007-2008 Haute Couture fashion show during Paris Fashion Week (in Armani, of course!). She opted for a striking, light green gown with a satin skirt and beaded, strapless bodice. The dress made for one of her most sophisticated and glamorous gowns to date. While the pastel shade of the dress kept things youthful, her styling choices, such as her decision to wear red lip, added a level of undeniable classiness. 

We saw that simple, yet suave side come out again when she stepped out with her then-husband Tom Cruise for a party with the Beckhams six months later. She went bolder for that event, wowing in an eye-catching, red strapless, floor-length gown with a sweetheart neckline. The superstar made an unexpected but brave shoe choice, pairing the red number with purple satin heels.

After a breakup, some people choose to amp up the sex appeal to show their ex what they're missing (we're looking at you, revenge-dress queen Taylor Swift). There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but Katie Holmes went the opposite way after her split from Tom Cruise, gravitating towards muted, polished styles over bright, daring, and bold ones. In September 2012, around three months after the two announced their separation, Holmes attended the 9th Annual Style Awards in one of her most elegant and demure clothing choices ever. She wore a black button-down collared shirt with a metallic champagne skirt that featured intricate beading from the waist down.

Despite the buttoned-up appearance of the outfit, Holmes brought the fun with her footwear, sporting embellished heels that added extra sparkle to her ensemble. The following month, she kept that understated glam aesthetic on the red carpet for the Narciso Rodriguez Kohl's Collection Launch Party. Sticking to her newfound stylish yet understated niche, she wore a long sleeve, knee-length little black dress with ruching down the middle and simple nude heels.

This simple aesthetic has become synonymous with Holmes. As Judith Touitou, the artistic director of APC, put it to Town & Country, "Katie's style inspires people because it is composed of pieces that everyone has in their closet but assembled in an inventive, personal manner that you can then translate into your own." And that's exactly what her 2012 outfits showed us.

After flirting with muted tones for several years, Katie Holmes started dipping her toe into richer colors as she entered her mid-30s. In March of 2015, she wore a youthful, yet sophisticated deep pink floral dress with a large torso cut-out for the New York premiere of "Woman In Gold." The gorgeous, knee-length dressed looked gorgeous against her tan skin and showed she was ready go bolder. Holmes proved that again when she followed a similar aesthetic for that year's Met Gala two months later. The stunner opted for a sparkly navy, backless ball gown that looked like a painting of a gorgeous night sky. It proved this star was also embracing her age, but with a youthful twist.

Katie Holmes progressed her more daring approach to fashion in 2019 as she embraced her 40s in bolder silhouettes. That April, the beauty was sweet and polished at CinemaCon in a dramatic, puffy sleeve white top. The blouse was partially sheer to show off her red bra underneath, which stopped the dress and top combo from appearing too stuffy. She paired it with a cream and brown leaf-print midi skirt and added a fun pop of color with her shoes, opting for peep toed heels with a blue bow around her ankles. Holmes hadn't blown the world away with her accessory choices up until this point, but her layered necklaces (a trend at the time) showed she was thinking more about ways to elevate her looks.

For that same year's Met Gala, where she made her first appearance alongside then \-boyfriend Jamie Foxx, Holmes wore one of her most daring getups ever. She made a serious fashion statement in a black and purple Zac Posen gown featuring a long train and pink leaves stretched across her shoulders. The dress strayed far from the understated style we'd seen on her in years prior and was created specifically for her. Designer Zac Posen told Town & Country, "I was inspired by the Hollywood Regency and of course Katie's glamour." The daring design perfectly summed up Holmes' approach to dressing, too. "I try to look appropriate for things and have fun with it as well," she said while speaking to Elle that year.

Though Katie Holmes once admitted to Glamour that she never associated herself with being "sexy," by 2022, the star's style took a turn that signaled she may have changed her opinion. In March of that year, she wore a fitted white pantsuit and no top, teasing a lacy black bra underneath for the opening of RiseNY. She elevated the otherwise monochrome outfit with bright pink, pointed heels that showed she wouldn't shy away from color. Later, in June, she took things one step further for the premiere of "Alone Together" at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival in a white crochet column dress that exposed her toned middle and white underwear. The dress may not have been scandalous at the time, but it certainly marked a daring step for the star.

Her unexpected choices may have been a result of Holmes' work projects around the time. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar that year, she explained, "I directed two films back-to-back this year, and I did the costumes as well." She added, "It made me appreciate silhouettes and cuts and color in a way I thought I had."

In 2024, Katie Holmes wore pieces that balanced her penchant for sophisticated and comfortable with her newfound clothing confidence. That February, she took her 2022 pantsuit and peekaboo bra look to a new level for Michael Kors' Autumn/Winter 2024 fashion show during New York Fashion Week. She wore an open black blazer and matching pants over a sheer black top that showed her bra. Sheer clothing was a big trend from summer 2023 that stretched well into the new year, so Holmes was totally on-trend with the look. The following June, she opted for another take on the trend at Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner  in a black Chanel lace jacket and matching skirt that wasn't lined in the arms or legs. The outfit combined the sexy, demure, understated, and comfy elements of her style we've seen over the years into one flattering look.

Both ensembles demonstrated Holmes desire to experiment with fashion a little more in her 40s ... within reason, of course. "I try lots of different things. I'm not scared of certain looks. [But] I really feel like if you don't feel comfortable, don't do it," she explained to Elle in 2019. "You should wear what you feel comfortable with, and be confident in yourself, and know that what you like is enough, and you look great, and own it." And she always does.