Forget what you thought you knew about so-called vacation attire. According to Katie Holmes' latest look, breezy linens aren't just for trips to the shore.

Katie Holmes took a stroll through Manhattan in the summer on Monday, August 5, showing passersby on the sidewalk how to wear linen shirts outside of the beach. She began by pairing her white striped linen shirt with a pair of white wide-leg jeans, a rather unremarkable pair of pants. (Yes, the very same ones she bravely traveled in a few weeks ago.)

Mixing textures is just the beginning. From there, Holmes layered more durable, chic accessories with hints of trend and major designer cred. On her feet are Fisherman sandals, a shoe style that is summery but with a bit more heft. (From Jennifer Lopez and Lawrence to the streets of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Fisherman sandals are currently the preferred warm-weather footwear of style insiders.) On her arm, Khaite's $3,400 Maeve bag in buttery leather. Lastly, she wore a pair of angular sunglasses.

Like Holmes' beloved Madewell tote bag and her vast collection of trendy sneakers, none of these items are particularly hard to find or impossible to wear. (The Khaite bag may be an exception. It is currently sold out.) All of these items are near-universal in retail stores. Taken out of context, like a breezy linen shirt with thick sandals and daytime jeans, even a walk around the neighborhood becomes more interesting.

This is the Katie Holmes way: whether it's dabbling in denim, the biggest trend for fall 2024, or trying a tropical get-together, her recent outfits all tend to subvert clichés. She's not just showing off how to wear a linen shirt. Thank goodness her closet hasn't taken a break yet this summer. Every onlooker needs some free style tips.