Um, is the dress-over-jeans trend making a comeback? On Dec. 9, Katie Holmes showed up to the 2022 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York in an outfit that looked… um, familiar. Gen Zers remember iconic, early-2000s celebs like Ashley Tisdale rocking a dress or skirt over jeans, and Holmes’ look instantly transported me back in time. Holmes wore a navy Tove minidress with a pair of blue jeans and black sneakers. Out of context, you could tell me that picture came from a Dawson’s Creek premiere party and I wouldn’t bat an eye.
Y2K fashion has made a comeback in recent years, however I’m not sure this look has much longevity. While everyone loves a nostalgic baby T and Juicy tracksuit, the dress-over-jeans trend is a bit more questionable. For years, the iconic Ashley Tisdale ‘fit rocking this trend has been a joke circulating the internet.
However, not everyone had negative things to say about Holmes’ look, with one Twitter user even comparing the look to something Bella Hadid might wear. (This could tie into the age-old debate of “Is it fashionable, or is she just a model?” but that’s a conversation for another time.)
Holmes was one of the OG early 2000s icons, with her breakout role as Joey Potter in Dawson’s Creek, so if anyone is an authority on Y2K fashion, it’s her. Her character was always rocking early 2000s trends, such as overalls and baggy jeans, so seeing this look on Holmes feels so nostalgic. While her recent looks have been much more modern and trendy (who could forget that chic Khaite cashmere set?) who’s to say Holmes isn’t onto something? After all, celebs are usually the ones who start new trends — or bring old trends back — even if they seem a bit out-of-the-box at first.
While I don’t plan on layering a dress over jeans anytime soon, fashion *is* cyclical, so never say never.