Katie Holmes Shows How to Wear Thong Sandals on the Red Carpet at the American Ballet Theatre’s Spring Gala

Katie Holmes attended the American Ballet Theatre’s 2026 Spring Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Wednesday in New York City. The actress arrived in a pair of on-trend thong sandals that she dressed up by coordinating with a fresh white ensemble.

For shoes, Holmes went with the Herbert Levine “Kiss and Tell” suede heeled sandals. The boudoir-inspired thong sandal is designed with an upper that gently embraces the foot at the instep, while it also boasts a mini buckle strass detail that catches the light with a subtle shine.

The gold-toned embellishment sits at the center of the thong strap and it elevates the shoe from a casual silhouette to a more formal, red-carpet-ready shoe. The “Kiss and Tell” heels are crafted in Italy from suede in a soft beige color. The minimal design featured a thin thong strap that is supported by two wider straps that come up from the side of the heels and they connect at the center of the vamp.

The shoes stand tall on heels measuring 100mm, which is around four inches. The heel is sculpted into a slightly coned shape, with a wider base that slims down into a stiletto heel. The shoes feature a slip-on, backless design and an elegant round toe. The shoes are from the spring 2026 collection, and the designer also offers the style in black satin and suede in pink, mint green and bright orange.

As WWD reported, Holmes paired the trendy sandals with a white outfit from Ashlyn’s spring 2026 collection. The two-piece outfit features a textured, spaghetti-strap peplum top and a matching maxiskirt. She completed the look with a silver necklace, earrings and a black clutch purse.

Holmes was a special guest at the event. The American Ballet Theatre honored her at the 2026 Spring Gala for being a longtime friend of the company, for being a passionate advocate for the arts, and for her work reflecting a deep appreciation for creativity and storytelling.

The “Dawson’s Creek” alum has had a longstanding connection to the ABT, an appreciation for classical ballet and a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists. Caroline Kennedy also served as honorary chair, continuing her family’s longstanding support of ABT.

The evening included a special preview of “Don Quixote,” a newly staged by Artistic Director Susan Jaffe for ABT’s 2026 Summer season at the Metropolitan Opera House. The Spring Gala brought together other leaders in the arts, philanthropy, and entertainment for a celebratory evening in support of ABT’s performances, education programs, and community initiatives. See the photos from the event below.