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Katie Holmes Ditched Ballet Flats for Grandpa Sandals—and They're the Perfect Transitional Shoes for Fall

Stylish *and* utilitarian

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Katie Holmes wearing fisherman sandals 2024
MEGA/GC Images/Everlane/J.Crew

Katie Holmes, longtime lover of ballet flats, appears to have found a new favorite shoe style just in time for early fall—and it's totally giving grandpacore vibes. The star has stepped out not once, but twice in fisherman sandals over the past few weeks (similar to these beauties from G.H. Bass, $165), styling them with both her go-to wide-leg white jeans and signature slouchy trousers.

Katie Holmes wearing fisherman sandals
MEGA/GC Images

A bit of a departure from the oh-so-demure look of ballet flats, fisherman sandals are at once utilitarian (after all, they were originally designed for fishermen who needed a quick-draining shoe) and perfectly fashion-forward. There's a reason high-end brands like The Row and Prada have included them in recent collections.

The silhouette is designed with openings between the straps to provide plenty of ventilation, but, given the closed toe, the shoes can also easily be paired with socks for extra coverage. In true grandpa style, may I add. Their versatility makes them an excellent choice for the tricky transitional weather between late summer and fall, so IMO, Miss Holmes is definitely onto something.

Want to jump on the style ahead of the curve? Shop some chic fisherman sandals for less than $200 below.

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Leave it to J.Crew to have these beauties already on deck (and on sale) for the season. With a touch of sheen from both the Italian spazzolato leather and glistening metallic buckle, the brand's Winona sandals feel quite a bit more dressy than the ones you might find on a fisherman's foot, though they have all the same functionality and then some.

Everlane may be known for its famous flats, beloved by both A-listers and PureWow editors, but the brand's take on fisherman sandals is just as impressive. I love the monochrome look of the soft nappa leather upper, down to the square buckle, along with the fact that there's a padded insole for extra comfort. And according to buyers, they are indeed as comfy as they look. "They required no break-in period. I wear them all day at work (on my feet) with no issue. They are also stylish and go with most of my wardrobe," one reviewer raves.

With a just-under-1-inch heel and a beautifully woven leather upper, this style from G.H. Bass is sure to get plenty of mileage in your fall footwear rotation. The insole looks nice and thick, nodding to a comfy stride, while that elegant rounded buckle adorning the adjustable strap serves as a glamorous, decidedly anti-grandpa accent. Katie would *so* approve.


stephanie maida

Senior Commerce Editor

  • Oversees PureWow's coverage of sales and deals, celebrity commerce and new launches across categories
  • Has worked as a writer and editor for 10+ years
  • Studied journalism at New York University

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