How Katie Holmes Embraced Her 5’9″ Height With the Heels That Elevated Her Style

Katie Holmes is 5’9″ (175.3 cm) tall, which is taller than the average height of a woman in the United States, which is around 5’4″ (162.5 cm). She wears a size 10.5 (US).

Katie Holmes in a Chloe crafty maxi skirt with Tabayer jewelry at the premiere of her movie Alone Together during the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival on June 14, 2022, at the SVA Theater in New York City (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto)

Too Tall for TV: How Katie Holmes Proved Everyone Wrong

Selma Blair didn’t expect Katie Holmes to land the role of Joey Potter due to her height, but admitted she was wrong.

“Holmes got it fair and square… (but) I remember seeing her walk into the (audition) room and thinking, ‘She is just the tallest girl. There’s no way they’ll give it to her. She won’t even fit on camera.’ Then I ate my words. She was adorable,” Selma Blair said in 2008.

Katie Holmes, dressed in blue jeans and flats, attended the fifth day of the 2023 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, New York City, on September 1, 2023 (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Tall Girl Confessions: Why She Skipped Heels on Dates

In 2012, Katie Holmes clarified that she’d prefer to date someone taller. “I would like a guy who is taller than me… It sounds shallow. I like being tall, but going on dates with someone who is shorter… I just want to be with someone who is taller than me,” said Katie Holmes, who used to wear flats when out with Tom Cruise.

Katie Holmes pairs a classic black dress with chic flats, subtly keeping her look balanced alongside then-fiancé Chris Klein (Credit: WENN)

On Your Next Shoes, Katie Holmes is featured wearing heels by footwear brands such as Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, The Row, Tom Ford, Manolo Blahnik, Isabel Marant, and Chloé.

Katie Holmes and her mother, Kathleen A. Stothers-Holmes, graced the prestigious American Ballet Theatre June Gala held at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City on June 22, 2023 (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)

Designer Heel Highlights: From Louboutin to Manolo Blahnik

Katie Holmes has consistently showcased her impeccable fashion sense, often accentuated by her choice of designer heels that add a distinctive touch to her ensembles:

• Magda Butrym: During a New York City outing, Katie paired a simple yet sophisticated ensemble with black suede Magda Butrym mules featuring a large cream camellia, demonstrating understated elegance.
• Christian Louboutin: For her final Broadway appearance in “Our Town,” she elevated her all-black outfit with Christian Louboutin Cathedral Mary Jane pumps, showcasing timeless sophistication.
• Tom Ford: At the 12-12-12 concert benefiting Hurricane Sandy victims, Katie donned a purple velvet knee-length dress from Tom Ford’s Fall 2012 Collection, complemented by padlock-detailed Tom Ford pumps, adding a modern edge to her classic look.
• Manolo Blahnik: At the opening night of the 2019 New York Film Festival, she stepped out in a cotton blouse and sequined black midi skirt, paired with Manolo Blahnik Lurum embellished satin mules, exuding glamour and elegance.
• Tory Burch: While promoting the Broadway revival of “Our Town,” Katie embraced retro fashion with a denim peplum top and stirrup leggings, completed with Tory Burch slit-toe pumps, adding a playful touch to her vintage-inspired look.
• Franco Sarto: Welcoming spring, she opted for a casual yet chic appearance, wearing Franco Sarto Clemens espadrille wedge sandals, providing both comfort and style.

Katie Holmes steps out in Tamara Mellon Frontline sandals, showcasing a chic and minimalist look (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)

Katie Holmes flaunts her toned legs in Tamara Mellon Frontline sandals, which boost her height and elegantly elongate her legs (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)

Katie Holmes rocks wide-leg jeans at Camp Pride presented by alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet on June 14, 2023, in New York City (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto)

Before embracing the holiday spirit, Katie Holmes made a fashionable impression at a Chanel event in New York—unaware that a playful Halloween surprise was lurking just around the corner.

Chanel Event: Katie Gets Spooked by a Pumpkin Surprise

In October 2016, Halloween came a bit early for Katie Holmes. The Giver actress looked stylish when she left the Greenwich Hotel in New York.

Katie Holmes leaving Greenwich Hotel in New York after attending an event on October 25, 2016 (Credit: TNYF / WENN)

Katie was headed to the “Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program Luncheon” event at Locanda Verde.

Although incredibly stylish, Katie had no clue she was in for an early Halloween treat.

Katie Holmes wears a pair of Chanel pumps with the brand’s trademark pearl heels (Credit: TNYF / WENN)

The actress dressed herself in head-to-toe Chanel, stepping out of her New York hotel in a navy blue top with button embellishments at the shoulders. Katie paired it with a front slit skirt, a pair of pearl pumps, and a silver quilted bag.

You might think that with an ensemble like this, the actress is a Chanel brand ambassador, but to our knowledge, she is not.

Katie styled a navy blue top with a front-slit skirt, a stunning pair of pearl pumps, and a silver quilted bag (Credit: TNYF / WENN)

What should have been a stylish and posh afternoon went south pretty quickly. During the day, Katie found herself face-to-face with a pumpkin character, with a creepy man peeking behind her. The actress uploaded the photo and captioned it, “Who’s that guy behind me? #Halloween #chelseamarket #nyc.”

Despite the unexpected spook, Katie took the time to acknowledge Chanel for her gorgeous skirt, continuing her caption with, “@chanelofficial thank u Chanel for letting me borrow this beautiful skirt!”

Katie Holmes unexpectedly encountered a pumpkin character with a mysterious figure lurking in the background (Credit: Katie Holmes’ Instagram)

Beyond red carpet appearances and designer heels, Katie Holmes has also made her mark behind the scenes in fashion. Her influence extended beyond styling choices and into design itself.

Holmes & Yang: Katie’s Fashion Line with Jeanne Yang

The Holmes & Yang fashion line was co-founded by actress Katie Holmes and her stylist Jeanne Yang in 2009. It targeted women seeking classic, feminine pieces with a relaxed edge, offering silhouettes like blouses, dresses, and coats in natural fabrics.

Though praised by critics and showcased during New York Fashion Week, the brand shuttered in 2014 as Holmes prioritized acting and motherhood. While no longer active, Holmes & Yang remains a notable example of celebrity collaborations in fashion history.

Katie Holmes is captured here at the height of her fashion line’s success, showcasing her style that mirrors the aesthetic of Holmes & Yang (Credit: Anthony Dixon / Michael Carpenter / WENN)

In 2012, Katie Holmes was everywhere. Thanks to her divorce from Tom Cruise, her visibility was amplified, and her Holmes & Yang fashion line was out in full force for Fashion Week.

This photo features Katie Holmes in a quintessential Fashion Week moment, exuding elegance and style that aligns with the Holmes & Yang ethos (Credit: Anthony Dixon / Michael Carpenter / WENN)

On the day of the show, Katie arrived in classic black and white and capped off her style with glittered heels from Dries Van Noten and an oh-so-boxy handbag that was more masculine than anything else.

We soon discovered that Katie’s bag was a piece from her collection in collaboration with Valextra. It’s an effortless Italian arm candy made from suede and leather, polished with light gold hardware.

Katie Holmes attended New York Fashion Week on September 12, 2012, in a chic ensemble featuring Oliver Peoples Lipsofire round sunglasses, Dries Van Noten slingbacks, Holmes & Yang skinny pants, Lanvin pearls and raffia necklace, and Valextra for Holmes and Yang two-tone bag (Credit: Anthony Dixon / Michael Carpenter / WENN)

Before long, Katie Holmes found herself balancing multiple high-profile appearances in one day, showcasing her effortless ability to stay chic while on the go.

Busy Day in NYC: Global Citizen Festival & TAO Downtown

Katie Holmes was running from one appearance to another in the Big Apple on September 28, 2013.

In the morning, she attended the 2013 Global Citizen Festival, which aims to end extreme poverty by 2030. Later, on the same day, the American actress was also on hand at the grand opening of TAO Downtown at The Maritime Hotel.

Katie Holmes at the 2013 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, NYC, on September 28, 2013, exuding effortless chic in her stylish ensemble (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / PNP / WENN)

Since Katie knew she’d attend two events, she kept her ensemble chic and comfortable.

Also known for her enormous feet, the then-34-year-old actress wore a pair of comfy jeans, an easy-breezy crop top, and a “Naco” leather biker jacket by Each x Other to add an edge to her look.

Katie Holmes adds height to her casual chic look in classic black pointed-toe pumps, pairing them with skinny jeans and a bold striped “Naco” leather biker jacket by Each x Other at TAO Downtown Opening Night in NYC on September 28, 2013 (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / PNP / WENN)

Don’t you love a jacket that you can wear anywhere? Although biker jackets usually come plain in black leather, her features contrast with stripes, making them more captivating. It also features an asymmetric zip-front closure, zipper pockets, epaulets, snap-notched lapels, zipper cuffs, and a belted waist.