During her brief but highly publicized relationship with chef Emilio Vitolo Jr. in late 2020, Katie Holmes’ off-duty style became a focal point for street-style observers in New York City.
The pair, who dated for eight months before splitting in May 2021, often utilized the sidewalks of SoHo as a runway for elevated basics.
On October 1, 2020, the duo was photographed in Manhattan wearing coordinated white t-shirts, though it was Holmes’ choice of bold-patterned footwear that anchored the look.
Katie Holmes and Emilio Vitolo Jr. step out in coordinated white tees and face masks, with Holmes grounding her ’90s-inspired plaid trousers in classic Gucci sneakers as the pair walk hand in hand through SoHo in New York City on October 1, 2020 (Credit: Instar / WENN)
Holmes took a visual cue from the ’90s, opting for yellow plaid pants reminiscent of the era’s grunge-meets-prep aesthetic.
To keep the focus on the silhouette, she skipped jewelry, pairing the outfit with tortoise sunglasses and a black face mask. She carried a Sharkchaser Bubble bag to round out the accessories.
Katie Holmes steps back to the ’90s in yellow plaid baggy pants and white tee
The focal point of the look was a pair of Gucci New Ace sneakers—far from an ordinary white trainer. First introduced under Alessandro Michele in 2016, the style reimagines a classic ’70s tennis silhouette through a distinctly Gucci lens, blending heritage codes with modern street polish.
👟 Explore Gucci “Ace” Sneaker Moments in Celebrity Style:
- 🌸 Taylor Swift’s floral-embroidered Gucci New Ace sneakers add a romantic twist to a denim overall look, showing how intricate appliqués can elevate everyday street style.
- ✈️ Elle Fanning’s airport styling in Gucci “Ace” sneakers pairs floral embroidery with a slip dress and varsity jacket, striking the perfect balance between polish and ease.
- ✨ Alessandra Ambrosio’s bee-embroidered Gucci Ace sneakers ground her off-duty athleisure, proving how iconic house codes can sharpen even the most relaxed silhouettes.
- 🐝 Her minimalist take on the Gucci Ace highlights the understated bee motif, showing how subtle detailing can still carry strong brand identity.
- 📐 Gucci Ace sneakers sizing and fit guide breaks down why this modern classic remains a go-to across celebrity wardrobes and everyday styling alike.
Rendered in smooth white leather, Holmes’ pair is defined by the house’s unmistakable green-and-red Web stripe, overlaid with gold-thread bee embroidery—an archival motif revived from the 1970s.
Subtle but deliberate details, like the mismatched metallic heel tabs (red on one shoe, green on the other), give the sneaker its quietly irreverent edge.
Katie Holmes wears her hair loose and keeps a low-key look with sunglasses and face mask
Crafted in Italy from soft calf leather, the New Ace is designed to wear more like a traditional dress shoe than a fleeting trend piece, developing character over time rather than losing its appeal.
That balance of craftsmanship and ease is precisely why the style has endured for nearly a decade.
Katie Holmes grounds her ’90s-inspired plaid trousers with white Gucci New Ace sneakers, where signature Web stripes and gold bee embroidery add a polished, heritage finish to the relaxed silhouette
On Holmes, the sneakers anchor a high-low mix—bridging relaxed, ’90s-inspired plaid trousers with polished, city-ready refinement—proving why the New Ace remains one of Gucci’s most enduring modern icons.
Golden bee embroidery and striped webbing bring iconic Gucci house codes to this sneaker, while contrasting heel tabs reference the brand’s official colors
Meanwhile, her new boyfriend, Emilio, looked fresh in a white tee, light-washed jeans, and white sneakers. He wore a similar white face mask from EvolveTogether to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Emilio Vitolo Jr. looks fresh in a white tee, denim jeans, and white sneakers
Two weeks earlier, Katie and Emilio took their relationship to the next level as they were spotted having lunch with her boyfriend’s father, Emilio Vitolo.
Katie Holmes lunches with boyfriend and his dad, Emilio Vitolo Sr., at Emilio’s Ballato in NYC on September 25, 2020
The trio appeared at ease over an al fresco lunch at Emilio’s Ballato, the Vitolo family’s Nolita institution, where the relaxed setting mirrored the easy rapport between them.
Katie Holmes seems to be getting along with her boyfriend’s father
For the lunch outing, the American actress wore a blue-and-white striped shirt, paired with a black-and-white dotted tie and baggy jeans.
She teamed her look with oversized sunglasses and her favorite Gucci Jordaan loafers.
Katie Holmes wears a striped blue-and-white shirt with baggy jeans and Gucci loafers for the lunch out
Katie Holmes’ Quiet-Luxury Shoe Formula: Gucci Sneakers, Loafers, and New York Ease
Katie Holmes’ best street-style moments rarely feel overworked, and that is exactly why they endure. Whether she is grounding plaid trousers with Gucci sneakers or refining denim with horsebit loafers, her footwear choices turn simple city staples into polished, memorable outfits.
👠 Explore Katie Holmes’ Best Shoe Moments:
- 📏 Standing at 5’9″ (175.3 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 10.5, Katie Holmes has built a wardrobe around polished flats, understated sneakers, and quietly elegant heels.
- 🖤 Her go-to Gucci Jordaan loafers bring timeless horsebit polish to denim skirts, white tees, and the kind of effortless New York uniform she wears best.
- 👟 Katie’s Autry Medalist sneakers lean into her love of vintage-inspired street style, pairing soft leather trainers with relaxed denim and winter-ready layers.
- ✨ Her Christian Louboutin Cathedral Mary Janes trade off-duty ease for Art Deco polish, sharpening a black trench coat and slim trousers with a rare high-heel moment.
- 🌸 Katie’s floral Magda Butrym mules add sculptural romance to a minimalist black dress, proving how one statement shoe can soften an entire evening look.