Oversized Tailoring & Polished Flats: How Katie Holmes Masters the Art of Relaxed Style

Katie Holmes has long favored menswear-inspired separates, often finishing them with timeless loafers instead of heels or sneakers.

During an outing in New York City on August 3, 2021, she paired an oversized white shirt and wide-leg trousers with classic Gucci Brixton loafers, showing how polished flats can anchor a relaxed everyday wardrobe.

Katie Holmes demonstrates how an oversized white shirt, relaxed trousers, and Gucci Brixton loafers create an effortlessly polished everyday uniform in New York City on August 3, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)

The oversized white button-up shirt, worn with rolled sleeves, contrasted nicely with her high-waisted rust-colored wide-leg trousers.

A simple half-tuck defined her waist without taking away from the relaxed proportions of the outfit.

The subtle French tuck defines Katie Holmes’ waist while preserving the fluid, menswear-inspired proportions of her oversized button-up shirt (Credit: Mega / WENN)

The styling technique—commonly called the French tuck, half-tuck, or one-hand tuck—helps define the waist while maintaining the easy drape of an oversized shirt. It has become a reliable styling approach for balancing relaxed tailoring.

Fashion stylist Tan France helped popularize the term “French tuck” through Queer Eye, often recommending the technique because it creates the illusion of longer legs by defining the waist without fully tucking in a shirt.

He has also explained that he adopted the phrase after encountering it elsewhere rather than inventing it himself.

Walking through Manhattan, Katie Holmes lets wide-leg tailoring and timeless horsebit loafers do the talking in an understated monochrome palette (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Holmes kept the accessories understated, wearing hoop earrings, a bracelet, rings, and oversized sunglasses. A white EvolveTogether face mask and a black Sharkchaser Medium Triangle tote reinforced the outfit’s practical, understated feel.

Letting her damp hair air-dry naturally, the mom-of-one carried her belongings in a $720 black leather Medium Triangle tote from Sharkchaser.

Removing her face mask reveals Katie Holmes’ understated accessories, including oversized sunglasses and delicate gold jewelry that complement the minimalist outfit (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Grounding the tailored separates was a pair of black Gucci Brixton loafers, one of the Italian fashion house’s most versatile interpretations of the classic horsebit loafer.

Designed as a softer, more relaxed alternative to Gucci’s structured loafers, the Brixton combines supple Italian leather with a collapsible heel that transforms it from a classic loafer into a backless mule. Finished with the house’s signature horsebit hardware and green-and-red Web stripe, it has become a favorite for balancing timeless tailoring with everyday comfort.

The glove-like leather gradually molds to the foot, giving the Brixton a noticeably softer feel than Gucci’s more structured loafer styles. Because the leather stretches with wear, many owners recommend sizing down by half a size if you’re between sizes.

If you’re unsure which size to choose, our Gucci shoe size guide compares the fit of popular styles, including the Jordaan, Princetown, and other horsebit loafers. Many owners also add a thin rubber sole protector to help preserve the leather outsole from the first wear.

Katie Holmes finishes her relaxed tailoring with black Gucci Brixton loafers, distinguished by the house’s signature green-and-red Web stripe and gold horsebit hardware (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Although Gucci continues to produce its iconic horsebit loafers—including the Jordaan, Horsebit 1953, and backless Princetown mule—the Brixton has become more of a rotating seasonal style than a permanent fixture in the collection.

While new Brixtons can be difficult to source directly from Gucci, luxury retailers such as Farfetch continue to stock a wide selection of current Gucci loafers, including Jordaan, Horsebit 1953, Horsebit almond-toe, suede, GG-patterned, and seasonal horsebit styles.

Meanwhile, the Brixton remains especially popular on authenticated resale platforms thanks to its timeless design and durable Italian craftsmanship.

Gucci’s Brixton loafers combine supple Italian leather, the iconic horsebit and Web detailing, and a collapsible heel that transforms the classic loafer into a backless mule

More Ways Katie Holmes and Other Celebrities Style Gucci Loafers

Katie Holmes has shown that a great pair of Gucci loafers can anchor almost any wardrobe, from oversized shirting and relaxed tailoring to denim, knitwear, and feminine dresses.

Whether she’s wearing the supple Brixton or the structured Jordaan, her outfits highlight the enduring appeal of the house’s iconic horsebit design. Explore more celebrity looks featuring Gucci loafers and discover how the timeless silhouette continues to evolve across seasons and personal styles.