For me, the peplum is a sartorial whiplash: a timewarping vortex opens up and deposits me back into the club, the dance floor populated by women rocking blazers and caged heels, Pitbull blaring. For Katie Holmes, the peplum is a refreshing spring shape, an easy breezy silhouette that hits all her downtown contemporary cool girl style sensibilities.

The actor and director attended the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala last night (May 20) in New York City. She opted for a white two-piece: a textured, spaghetti-strapped, longline peplum-style top that nipped in at the waist and splayed out to well below the hips, falling over a coordinating long skirt. She styled the look with a black leather clutch, a diamond ear cuff and silver necklace, and Herbert Levine ‘Kiss and Tell’ cream suede mules. (The shoe brand is fast becoming a firm favorite of Holmes, who likes to stay label-faithful.)

Holmes, who was being honored at the event, also brought her mother Kathleen. “A longtime friend of the Company, Holmes is a passionate advocate for the arts whose work reflects a deep appreciation for creativity and storytelling,” a statement from American Ballet Theater reads. “Her connection to ABT underscores a genuine love of classical ballet and a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists.”

The annual event raises funds for the company, as well as its education and outreach initiatives.

The spring 2026 runways were flush with curve-waisted silhouettes: At Ashlyn, peplums were paired with modern sleeve shapes, and at Dries Van Noten, they were playfully styled with printed board shorts—another returning trend. Khaite—a brand also beloved by Holmes—sent out sharp and cinched peplums, while Stella McCartney nodded to the Y2K era with the addition of belts. Everyone from Jenna Ortega to Anne Hathaway and Taylor Swift has been taking the peplum out of a spin.

On Katie Holmes, the peplum feels elegant and fresh: not your typical gala dressing silhouette, but still sleek and sophisticated. The top and skirt’s delicate texture and minimal use of accessories meant kept the peplum out of its corp-core, early ’00s origins.