Suri Cruise's Style Transformation, From Emulating Katie Holmes To Finding Her Inner Fashionista
In the world of celebrity children, few have captured the public's interest quite like Suri Cruise. Born to Hollywood A-listers Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Suri has been in the spotlight since day one. Considering that her mother is known for setting trends, it's not surprising that Suri has also had a knack for fashion from an early age.
Holmes, who has always been fiercely protective of her daughter, opened up about her experience raising Suri in the public eye. "I love her so much. My biggest goal has always been to nurture her into her individuality. To make sure she is 100% herself and strong, confident, and able. And to know it," the "Dawson's Creek" actor told InStyle in 2022. "She came out very strong — she's always been a strong personality. She'll pick an activity and work her butt off until she's really good at it. Then she's like, 'Okay, I'm going to try the next thing.' She's very focused and a hard worker."
With each public appearance, Suri continues to grab attention. Her journey from childhood to adulthood in the spotlight couldn't have been an easy one, but Suri was always graceful and true to herself. From her iconic toddler fashion moments to her more recent Gen-Z style, let's take a look at how this former celebrity baby has blossomed into a confident and stylish young woman.
2006-2008: Baby Suri is the spitting image of her stylish mom Katie
As the daughter of at-the-time Hollywood power couple Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, Suri Cruise was no ordinary toddler. In 2006, baby Suri already became the spitting image of her stylish mom, effortlessly rocking designer looks curated by her fashionable parents — and believe it or not, her own inherent fashion sense. "She picks out all of her own clothes and has since she was one and a half," Holmes told New York Magazine in 2010. "Tom and I went to the Met ball a couple of years ago, and I had this beautiful red gown and these royal-blue shoes that I wasn't planning on wearing, but Suri made me put them on, and so I was like, 'Okay, I trust you,'" Holmes added.
Demonstrating her own passion for fashion, Holmes also admitted that she has been designing clothes for Suri since her birth, saying, "I started making clothes for Suri when she was born, designing dresses, and then having seamstresses sew them because I don't sew very well. As a child, I was always drawing clothes, and I've always loved fabrics, and when Suri was born, I wanted to have certain things be from me and created just by me for her." There's no denying that being exposed to exquisite clothing from such a young age helped Suri explore fashion and find out what she likes earlier than most children do.
2009-2010: Young Suri is all about pops of color
Young Suri Cruise slowly began showcasing her vibrant personality through her love for pops of color in her wardrobe. While she had always been known for her sophisticated and chic outfits, during this time, we began to see her wear more child-like fashion, incorporating playful and colorful outfits into her style. With each outing, Suri effortlessly transitioned from outdated preppy pieces to more vibrant and whimsical looks.
Her wardrobe, which was estimated to be worth $3 million when she was only three years old, was reportedly hand-picked by Suri herself. "When Suri wants to go shopping, Katie jumps to it and follows her around, buying whatever Suri wants. She helps Suri get changed half a dozen times every day and follows her daughter around like a glorified bag carrier," a source told the Daily Mail in 2009. It's clear that while many parents tend to force their fashion choices on their children, Holmes focused on creating space for Suri's own preferences, allowing the young one to have plenty of power over her style. "I've always wanted Suri to feel empowered [in that way] too. I remember asking her what kind of party she wanted for her fourth or fifth birthday, and she said a fairy party," Holmes told InStyle. "So we went to the fabric store and picked out everything we needed for fairies. I wanted her to create things instead of having stuff done for her. That way, she was always in charge."
2011-2012: Hair accessories are a big part of Suri's looks
At the beginning of the 2010s, Suri Cruise's outfits were often complemented by adorable accessories, ranging from hats to headbands to funky bags. These accessories became an integral part of her signature looks, adding a playful and quirky touch to her ensembles and allowing her to express her playful and age-appropriate style.
However, this period also marked a significant shift in Suri's life. In June 2012, her mother Katie Holmes filed for divorce from her father Tom Cruise. With Holmes gaining custody over Suri, there was a noticeable change in Suri's wardrobe and overall upbringing. "All that inappropriate dress-up and makeup was down to Tom," a source told Vogue that year. "Katie's keyword now when it comes to Suri is 'normal.' Tom loved to spoil Suri and indulge her, but Katie has other ideas." Holmes was determined to provide Suri with a more grounded and down-to-earth upbringing, which included simplifying her wardrobe and limiting extravagant gifts. "Katie has been returning unsolicited gifts and loans from designers for Suri since she arrived in New York, which is her home base now," the source added. "She's issued instructions to remove Suri from all freebie lists. She's also put the word out in LA to stop any mini-me diva products being sent her way." Despite the changes in her personal life, Suri continued to dazzle with her style choices, giving children's fashion a whole new life. In fact, if anything, this just proved that style isn't about the newest and most expensive designer pieces.
2013-2014: Sophistication is Suri Cruise's middle name
As she turned seven in 2013, it became clear that Suri Cruise had developed a love for sophisticated and fun pieces, often mirroring her mother's chic style. Living in New York City with Katie Holmes, Suri appeared to be a happy child, effortlessly blending joy with style whenever she was photographed out and about. "New York has been very good to both of us," Holmes expressed about their life in NYC (via E! News). "I love the theater, the galleries in my neighborhood," she added, highlighting their contentment in the bustling city.
Suri Cruise made headlines with her sense of style at a very young age, and one unforgettable look from this particular era was her black and purple striped dress, which she paired with a fun oversized faux fur jacket. While the ensemble itself is timeless and could work for any age, seeing young Suri rock it made the entire look seem even more playful. By now, it was clear that Suri had already become a fashion icon, even though she wasn't even a teen yet.
2015-2016: Suri goes for bright and bold looks
In the mid-2010s, Suri Cruise embraced bright and fun looks even more. She was often spotted rocking bursts of color like hot pink Uggs or a neon bow in her hair. While Suri always had the freedom to wear what she wanted, the older she got, the more fun she had with fashion, and her choices became braver. Even though she was only nine in 2015, it was clear that she already had a signature style at the time — one that revolved heavily around hair accessories. In fact, between 2012 and 2018, one of the most famous children in Hollywood was rarely spotted without a bow, headband, or hat.
Around this time, Katie Holmes remarked on how motherhood changed her, stating, "It changes you completely in such amazing ways, and I think that you become who you were meant to be. Being a parent also is a source of inspiration to just work really hard. You want to set an example — and, you know, [your kids] are what drives you," (via UPI).
2017-2018: The tween is channeling New York fashion
Towards the end of the 2010s, Suri Cruise began to channel the stylish New York City teen aesthetic reminiscent of the "Gossip Girl" costume department. As she matured, her interest in fashion seemed to deepen, and she developed a sense of style that was both chic and preppy with a hint of something unexpected. Of course, we can't deny that her style was also very much Katie Holmes-esque; after all, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. In 2017, Holmes spoke openly about the bittersweet experience of watching Suri grow up. "Every day, kids get a little further away from you," the actor told Town & Country. "That's a positive thing. They should be becoming more independent, but it's heartbreaking."
In an interview with Today from 2018, Holmes stressed just how important it was for her for Suri to become a down-to-earth and humble person, even if she does have a Blair Waldorf wardrobe. "We help out the homeless. We do small acts of kindness," she said. "I don't over-gift. I don't inundate my child with a lot of things. We're trying to raise good humans, and some days, we're better at it than others." Holmes has been there for her daughter to help her explore her passions, and fashion surely seems to be one of them. "We just focus on what she's passionate about and how you feel when you achieve your goals. Be true to your sense of opinions," Holmes shared. "I listen to her. It's a daily thing. I try to reward her for her hard work, and not necessarily the results of the hard work."
2019: Suri enters her teens with style
In 2019, Suri Cruise celebrated her 13th birthday, officially entering her teens. Whenever she was spotted out and about with her mother, Suri rocked fun and colorful ensembles that perfectly suited her age. While Suri's style as a toddler was undeniably posh and some might even say a bit too grown-up, she has since developed a preference for more suitable clothes as she has grown older. Pastel colors and funky patterns became a must — and even though she occasionally wore a bit of makeup, her look was always age-appropriate at this time.
Katie Holmes, who was 27 when she had Suri, opened up to Elle about becoming a young mother. "I was happy to become a [mom] in my 20s," she admitted. "It's been nice that our ages fit ... how do I put this? Every age that my child has been and my age at that time has been a good match. We kind of grew up together." As Suri transitioned into her teenage years, her style continued to evolve, perfectly reflecting her personality — and now also her growing independence.
2020-2021: The teen's pandemic style is simple and comfortable
During the pandemic, like many teenagers, Suri Cruise also embraced simple and comfortable fashion. As most people were homebound, Katie Holmes and Suri also wore more relaxed and laid-back styles, and often rocked stylish joggers. "I think we all want our sweats," Holmes told Glamour in 2023. "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?"
In the early 2020s, '90s fashion began its major resurgence, and it was delightful to see the teen sporting bolero cardigans and bell-bottom jeans — styles reminiscent of those her mother wore back in the '90s. "... we've gotten through the sort of girlie stage," Holmes shared with InStyle in 2022, and a subtle change in Suri's style was noticeable around this time, as she embraced a more minimalist look. In an interview with Variety in 2023, Holmes admitted that the pandemic was a particularly special bonding moment for the two, as Suri watched "Daswson's Creek" for the first time. "She has seen 'Dawson's Creek,' and I think it's probably weird since she's a teenager," Holmes admitted. "I'm not like, '"You need to watch mommy's work.'" But during the pandemic, we had a good laugh about it. It's wild to have a daughter who's almost the same age as I was when I began all this."
2022: Suri Cruise explores classic Gen-Z teen fashion
In 2022, 16-year-old Suri Cruise was frequently spotted in New York City, often seen out and about with her friends during the day. With each passing year, Suri bore a stronger resemblance to Katie Holmes, both in looks and style. Her fashion choices drew inspiration from the latest Gen-Z trends while still maintaining her unique flair. One of the most notable aspects of Suri's style evolution was her ability to effortlessly combine classic pieces with modern twists. She often sported slip-silk midi skirts paired with Converse sneakers, creating a perfect blend of sophistication and casual charm. This mix of delicate and casual fashion echoed her mother's style choices, too, showcasing that a keen eye for style is something she inherited. When Glamour asked Holmes if she noticed that Suri was wearing fashion she used to rock, the actor responded, "I think the '90s style is exactly back. Makes me feel old. We lived through that already! My mom says she should have saved things. I should have saved things."
As she navigated her teenage years, Suri continued to experiment with different looks. From chic streetwear to relaxed, everyday looks, she embraced a diverse range of styles, always with an air of confidence and sophistication. Anytime Suri was spotted in public, she wore clothes that always seemed like her authentic choice, reflecting Holmes' earlier sentiments that Suri has always been the master of her own wardrobe.
2023: The 17-year-old is becoming a young fashionista
In 2023, 17-year-old Suri Cruise continued to capture attention with her stylish Gen-Z fashion choices. Alongside her mother Katie Holmes, Suri remained a fixture in New York City, where the two were often spotted thanks to their effortless fashion choices and inherent coolness. On Holmes' 45th birthday, Suri was spotted donning a tailored coat and scarf combo while walking with her mother.
During this time, Suri's talents extended beyond the realm of fashion, as she showcased her musical abilities in her mother's movie "Alone Together." Holmes directed and starred in the film while Suri recorded a cover of "Blue Moon" for it. "I always want the highest level of talent," the "Batman Begins" actor explained to Yahoo Entertainment in 2022. "So I asked her! She's very, very talented. She said she would do it and she recorded it, and I let her do her thing." And as Suri grew and explored her interests, her fashion choices continued to effortlessly blend classic elegance with modern trends.
2024-Present: Suri Cruise is 18, and her style is impeccable
As Suri Cruise celebrated her 18th birthday, she settled into her style even more. From her earliest days in the spotlight, Suri has been a fashionista, and watching her evolution has been truly impressive. After all, not many can claim that they've been trendsetters since their toddler days. Now, as she enters adulthood, it's clear that her sense of style is as refined as ever, if not more so.
While Suri's future remains unwritten, one thing is certain: Her mother Katie Holmes will continue supporting her in any way she can. "[Katie] really does want her to stay in New York so they can be close to each other," a source revealed to the Daily Mail in 2023. The bond between mother and daughter has been evident since day one, and Holmes uses every opportunity to acknowledge just how proud she is of her daughter. As we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this once most famous celebrity baby, one thing is for sure: Suri Cruise is a name that won't be forgotten. And as she steps into adulthood, we can't wait to see where her journey takes her.