Katie Holmes, who landed on the Italian island of Sardinia to accept an award at the 2024 Italian Film Festival, seemed more focused on dressing for the evening's formal requirements than on what would become a fashionable icon. But Holmes' appearance said what insiders had long thought: the bohemian maxi dress has made a comeback, becoming the easiest dress of the summer.

Working with longtime stylist Bree Welch, the actress took the stage in a cream gown with flowing sleeves and a fluid, airy skirt. Her piece also included a matching belt that cinched at the waist. With a few more ruffles, this maxi dress could have been an outfit for Taylor Swift's Eras tour, paired with a woodsy folklore set: the dreamy shape and light chiffon embodied "August" or "Betty."

Holmes paired the dress with a gold chain necklace and double-strap sandals coated in a snakeskin-like material, keeping the rest of the look understated. Her hair was styled in her signature wavy style. The "Dawson's Creek" star also limited the evening to one look: unlike recent sightings at her New York home, she was not seen changing clothes.

One glance at Holmes' woodland fairy-like styling immediately brought visions of the Boho Revival to mind. The floor-length, maxi-length silhouettes and pale neutral color palette were similar to Chloé's intimate show at Paris Fashion Week last March. Incoming creative director Chemena Kamali showed ruffled chiffon dresses, slouchy leather bags, and wedge sandals that harkened back to the house's 1970s archives.

Whether or not more runways take notice this fall, Laurel Canyon-coded clothing is resurfacing all over fashion. Film and TV projects such as Daisy Jones and The Six have brought bell-bottoms and small woven crop tops back into the conversation. In street style, models, editors, and influencers are styling crochet pieces over jeans and flowing white skirts (and not just at Coachella).

Bohemian maxi dresses, like Holmes', are both a callback to the sepia aesthetic and the epitome of relaxed, warm-weather dressing. In fact, they may be the easiest dress trend of the summer. With a silhouette that flows from the body and lightweight fabrics, they are comfortable enough to wear on a hot afternoon. (Holmes would even wear it under the stage lights of an international film festival.)

Holmes always likes easy dresses, but this week's is even more effortless than her usual style. Back at home in New York, she recently tried on a poplin colorblock dress (with an affordable bag and fisherman sandals) and a grungy 90s slip dress (with a velvet mary jane). Regardless of the trend, the quality is there for everyone. Shop Katie-inspired boho maxi dresses in all price ranges.