Style Spotlight: Looks, Trends & Fashion Inspiration

Key takeaways

Glove flats are minimalist, soft leather shoes that hug the foot, offering more coverage than traditional ballet flats.
Their streamlined finish instantly polishes outfits and modernizes dated jeans, making vintage or patch-pocket styles feel fresh.
Cropped or wide-leg hems show off flats; pointed toes lend polish, while glove flats avoid fussy bows for a sleeker look.
Shop highlights include Madewell, Reformation, ZARA, The Row, Frame, and Sam Edelman.

They say everything eventually cycles back into fashion, and in my experience, this is especially true with denim. Last week, I saw Kylie Jenner sporting studded jeans and Sarah Pidgeon in a two-tone style. Even Victoria Beckham has embraced vintage denim, featuring low-rise capri jeans in the Victoria Beckham x Gap collection. Most recently, though, Katie Holmes showcased the look by wearing patch-pocket jeans with ballet flats.

This week in NYC, Holmes was photographed strolling nonchalantly through the streets in a spring denim ensemble. As mentioned, she wore patch-pocket jeans in a faded black wash with a black T-shirt and a brown suede bomber jacket. For her shoes, she chose very 2026 ballet flats—glove flats. This shoe pairing seemed intentional because the design’s modernity made the “dated” denim feel cool and fresh.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

For those who need a refresher, glove flats are a minimalist style made of soft leather that molds to the foot. The skin-hugging design offers more coverage than traditional ballet flats and, without the bow adornments, feels less fussy. Some styles feature a V-cut vamp, while others feature a straight cut across. Regardless of the pair, they all have a streamlined finish that adds polish to any outfit, even dated jeans.