When you're not commuting into an office, the definition of a summer work outfit gets flexible. Just look at Katie Holmes, who used a summer sweater dress and a color-coordinating suit to break business-y pieces out of their corporate box.
Katie Holmes first took one of her signature walks around SoHo in a twist on the knit dress styled by Brie Welch. From the front, the Me+Em design appeared to be a navy tank style with a striped skirt. But the piece has the tiniest waist cutouts which turn into a fully open, layered effect in the back. It wasn't as overtly sultry as when Jennifer Lope styled a sheer crochet beach cover-up for a city dinner, but it was ever-so-slightly subversive (and well-ventilated for a hot summer day).
The actress leaned into the dress's polished side with Mary Janes from her A.P.C. collection and a bright red lip.
Remixing fall- and winter-appropriate materials is something of a celebrity specialty. Gigi Hadid's sweater dress over jeans looked chic with her button-up cardigan open over the top of her pants last month; last week, Taylor Swift turned an oversize fringe sweater into a mini dress for a trip to see Cabaret. Holmes's piece already had the skin-baring cutouts in the silhouette—so really, it's a pre-styled way to reinvigorate the classic sweater dress for summer.
In any other closet, Me+Em's dress would be a one-and-done outfit for a full day. Not Holmes. Hours later, on her way to a Tribeca Film Festival dinner alongside Welch, her stylist, she translated her blue with a pop of red styling to a second look: a slate blue suit by Salon 1884 with red Lucasheva mules and a coordinating lip. She also layered on jewelry from Copenhagen Fashion Week darling Sophie Bille Brahe.
Holmes skipped wearing a shirt under her double-breasted blazer, styling it as the top alone. It was a subtle move, but it gave her otherwise business-y separates some cool-girl appeal.
Yesterday's back-to-back looks are just the latest in a string of effortless outfit changes for Holmes. Last week, she paraded a range of Banana Republic basics (styled up with Chanel flats) and trending summer essentials (like a butter yellow slip dress). Days later, she also showed off the range of her luxury fashion side, shifting from extra-wide-leg pants and a tiny top to a see-through lace set for Chanel events at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Holmes's fashion marathon all started with the June 7 release of her A.P.C. collection, a lineup with the same casual-yet-polished vibe as her street style. The actress told Marie Claire the collection all reflected her desire to feel "normal" and "everyday." There are a few more words that apply to her style based on today's look.
Editor's note: This post has been updated with additional outfit credits.
