Katie Holmes shows why tan suede thong heels suit white dresses

Katie Holmes made the season’s sharpest case for tan suede thong heels by wearing them with a white dress that might have looked safer in strappy pumps. At American Ballet Theatre’s Spring Gala on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, Holmes was honored for her support of the arts, and the styling landed with exactly the right mix of polish and friction. The gala supported ABT’s performances, education programs, and community initiatives, with Caroline Kennedy serving as honorary chair.

The dress was a long white peplum style from Ashlyn, the label of Ashlynn Park, and the shoes changed the entire read. Holmes chose Herbert Levine’s “Kiss and Tell” suede heeled sandals, a beige thong style from the revived New York footwear brand founded in 1948 by Beth and Herbert Levine. The suede gave the heel a softer, dustier finish than satin or patent would have offered, while the thong front kept the look open and modern. That slightly rugged texture is exactly why the shoe feels fresher than the cleaner minimalist sandal that dominated recent seasons.

This is where the formula gets useful. White dresses can go bridal, severe, or overly precious fast, especially when they are cut with a strong silhouette like Ashlyn’s peplum. Tan suede steadies that effect. It warms the white, breaks up the blankness, and adds a little American ease to an otherwise formal outfit. Holmes amplified that mood with Arielle Ratner diamond jewelry, which one report valued at nearly $60,000 and another put at about $80,000, giving the look enough sparkle to register as gala dressing without tipping into excess.

The runway context makes the choice even more persuasive. Who What Wear’s spring 2026 trend coverage pointed to thong heels as a key direction, showing them in wedge and kitten-heel versions, while thong sandals continued the shoe trend that had already built through 2025. The shift matters because it moves the category away from slick minimalism and toward something more tactile. Suede, especially in a tan shade, reads less precious and more fashion-minded. On Holmes, the effect was clear: the dress stayed elegant, but the shoes made it current.