The Tamesis
For me, hemlines are a kind of sartorial whiplash: a time-warping vortex opens and transports me back to the club, where the dance floor is packed with women in blazers and cage heels, pit bulls roaring. For Katie Holmes, ruffles are a fresh spring look, and the breezy silhouette fits all of her downtown-contemporary cool-girl style.
The cast and director attended the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala in New York last night (May 20). She opted for a white two-piece: a textured spaghetti-strap, long ruffled top that cinched in at the waist and flared below her hips, falling over a matching maxi skirt. She accessorized with a black leather clutch, diamond earrings and silver necklace, as well as Herbert Levine ‘Kiss and Tell’ cream suede mules. (The shoe brand is quickly becoming a favorite of Holmes’s, as he likes to stay true to his brand.)
Holmes was honored at the event, which also brought her mother, Katherine. “A long-time friend of the company, Holmes is a passionate advocate for the arts and her work reflects a deep appreciation for creativity and storytelling,” the American Ballet Theater wrote in a statement. “Her connection to ABT underscores her genuine love of classical ballet and a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists.”
This annual event raises funds for the company and its educational and promotional activities.
Photo: Getty Images
The spring 2026 runways were awash with curvy-waisted silhouettes: at Ashlyn, ruffled skirts were paired with modern sleeves; at Dries Van Noten, they were paired with printed shorts – another returning trend that was playful. Khaite (also a label favored by Holmes) introduced sharp, cinched ruffles, while Stella McCartney added a belt in a nod to the millennium era. From Jenna Ortega to Anne Hathaway and Taylor Swift, everyone is trying to keep their hemlines from spinning.
There’s something elegant and fresh about the skirt on Katie Holmes: not your typical evening gown silhouette, but still stylish and sophisticated. Delicate textures and minimal use of accessories on tops and skirts meant the ruffles had nothing to do with the company’s core origins in the early ’00s.
