Take Notes From Katie Holmes On How To Nail A Denim-On-Denim Outfit

Among the dazzling constellations of celebrities and influencers are fashion icons of every flavor. Where one fan might turn to Bella or Gigi Hadid for fashion-forward outfit ideas, another might mimic Kate Middleton's classic elegance or steal Sofia Richie-Grainge's timeless style. But if you're looking for an A-list example of fantastic daytime wear, don't overlook Katie Holmes' laidback style.

Holmes' career may have taken a backseat to parenthood in recent years, but that doesn't mean the "Dawson's Creek" actor has vanished from the public eye. Holmes can still be spotted at high-profile events or on the streets of New York, often in casual but chic ensembles. As such, curious fashionistas would do well to cast glances in Holmes' direction for everyday inspo. This spring, evidence suggests that Holmes has a taste for denim, including the hotly debated double-denim look. And we have news for you: Holmes makes it look good.

We can name plenty of times celebrities have pulled off Canadian tuxedoes, but don't assume that's just the power of stardom — with thoughtful styling, anyone can rock this controversial fashion. Taking a closer look at Holmes' approach to double denim, we can see what makes it work and how to translate this style into cool denim 'fits of our own. 

Double denim can be a risky move. Every denim wash already has its ideal color pairings, and much like pattern matching, there's an art to putting denim together in a way that vibes correctly. When choosing the color and wash of your denim pieces, there are two core strategies: the perfect match and the intentional contrast.

Katie Holmes provides a clear example of flawless denim cohesion. Photographed in New York City on April 9, Holmes impressed in a gorgeous dark denim ensemble. The saturated blue of the fitted, button-up vest exactly matched the flared, high-rise jeans, giving the look a unified, jumpsuit-like feel. To keep your own matching denim purposeful and stylish, remember that this technique requires perfect harmony between each piece. It may be easier to source matching items from the same label. Or, don't be afraid to take your favorite denim along on your next shopping expedition to do a little in-person color comparison.

Your other option is to embrace definitive contrast between each denim garment — a style Holmes showed off at the Alice + Olivia fashion show in NYC on February 10. Holmes paired medium-wash jeans with a light-wash denim top, providing enough color variation to delineate the separates. Note that both items were similarly weathered and faded, suggesting an easy strategy for double-denim success: Choose denim pieces of different color depths but of a similar finish.

Color theory isn't the only lesson we can learn from Katie Holmes' untouchable denim-on-denim looks. In these outfits, the "Batman Begins" actor also delivered a masterclass in proportion. While mixing up the color and wash, Holmes' recent double-denim styles had a similar silhouette, pairing a fitted denim top with high-waisted, wide-leg jeans. It's a universally elegant style, and for our money, this chic take on double denim has to be one of the best ways to style wide-leg jeans in 2024.

Ultimately, the key is balance. Pairing voluminous denim bottoms with a more tailored top keeps those statement-making wide-leg jeans from overwhelming the look and lets you hint at the figure underneath. As Holmes shows with the addition of a cream leather jacket to her February 10 look, you can then complete the outfit with a cropped over-layer that still shows off the jeans' high-waisted cut. This attention to proportion takes double-denim outfits to the next level, so your final look is less "questionable Canadian tuxedo" and more "savvy urban fashionista."