I’ll admit it—I could have sworn we’d collectively moved on from the denim maxi skirt. In my mind, breezy, floaty styles had taken their place. But as it turns out, fashion has room for more than one key skirt trend at a time, and the denim maxi is officially back from its brief hiatus—as Katie Holmes just proved.
Stepping out in New York for a day of filming, the actor wore the very skirt trend I was convinced was on its way “out.” Her chosen style—a mid-wash denim skirt with a sleek column cut—skirted the ankle and stopped just shy of the glossy leather strap of her ballet flats.
(Image credit: Backgrid)
While a couple of seasons ago—at the height of the denim maxi skirt’s populairty—the trend was almost always paired with boxy T-shirts or minimalist vests, Holmes took a softer approach this time around, pairing hers with a relaxed white blouse, lending a pretty ease to the outfit that modernised the dated design. To finish, she slipped into 2025’s shoe of choice—the leather ballet flat—bringing a subtle but noticably contemporary twist to the look.
In its column cut, Holmes’s skirt also nodded to the pencil-skirt silhouettes set to dominate next autumn, further cementing its relevance for the season ahead.
So, if you’ve packed your denim maxi away, it might be time to bring it back into rotation. And if you’re still hunting for the perfect one, I’ve rounded up the best styles to shop now, as well as the chicest ballet flats to pair them with.
Shop Denim Maxi Skirts and Ballet Flats:
COS
Straight Denim Midi Skirt
This indigo wash gives this casual skirt a sleek, elevated energy.
Mangp
Leather Ballet Flats With Bow
The bow detailing adds such a pretty, feminine finish.
Calvin Klein
Denim Maxi Skirt
Style this with classic white trainers or pair with leather mary janes.
Aeyde
Ida Leather Ballet Flats
These also come in half sizes, so you can find your perfect fit.
COS
Panelled Denim Maxi Skirt
This also comes in a fresh shade of white.
Topshop
Leather Ballerina
Honestly, these look more expensive than they actually are.
Frame
The Column Skirt
In a deep shade or black, this is so easy to slot into a capsule wardrobe.
& Other Stories
Square-Toe Ballet Flats
The chocolate brown colour trend isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
ALAÏA
Layered Jersey-Trimmed Denim Maxi Skirt
Style this with the co-ordinating jacket or pair with a boxy tee.
H&M
Ballet Pumps
These also come in four other shades.
Farm Rio
Denim Side Slit Maxi Skirt
Style this with knee high boots as we move towards the autumn months.
Le Monde Beryl
Mica Gathered Leather Ballet Flats
The elastic detailing creates a gathered finish that gives these flats an elevated feel.
Prada
Brand-Plaque Low-Rise Denim Maxi Skirt
Be quick! This is on its way to selling out.
COS
Minimal Leather Ballet Flats
I love the sleek design of the minimal flats.
Wardrobe.NYC
Denim Maxi Skirt
The back slit detail ensure a comfortable stride.
Reformation
Prudence Ballet Flat
The suede ballet flats trend is set to take off in a big way this autumn.
Rails
Manhattan Skirt
This also comes in a fresh shade of white.
Soeur
Brown Bala Ballet Flats
These also come in six other shades.
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