Dawson’s Creek star Katie Holmes has maintained her fame through a few eras of red carpet fashion, but she still knows how to rock an early aughts look like nobody else. Her outfit at this Friday night’s Jingle Ball went viral for being so bad it’s good. Or for giving everyone flashbacks to 2003.
Looking casually gorgeous with natural makeup and beachy waves in her honey-brown hair, the actress arrived at Madison Square Garden wearing a strapless, dark blue mini dress with a structured bust in an abstract bow shape.
That in itself isn’t too out-of-place, but her decision to wear the top over frayed jeans and a pair of black New Balance sneakers pushed the Internet into madness. Y2K fashion has been making a comeback for some time, but apparently people weren’t yet ready for the return of this combo.
Hilariously, a lot of people thought the photo was from the late 90s or early 2000s. Holmes must have an excellent skin care routine, because many fans who saw this photo were seeing her as a teenager. Holmes is currently known for her chic and simple outfits, so she was clearly enjoying a night of nostalgia.
Or maybe her choices are gradually regressing through time. Holmes was seen in April at the NYC premiere of her movie As They Made Us wearing the classic skinny scarf Y2K accessory with a pair of boot cut jeans and square-toed slip on shoes. Her button-down shirt was tucked half in and hung half out of her jeans.
Earlier that same month, she was spotted in enormous JNCO-style jeans while out on a stroll in New York, paired with a seriously high-cropped sweater over a white t-shirt. She accessorized with a red leather Chloé crossbody bag. Holmes may be exactly the fashion inspo that the younger generations need right now.
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.
