Katie Holmes took a more functional turn on the set of “Happy Hour” this week, photographed in Midtown Manhattan wearing a muted, layered look grounded by cream buckled sandals over white socks. The choice, while simple, added a utilitarian edge to the actor’s ongoing footwear evolution on set — a quiet continuation of the show’s emphasis on emotional resets over aesthetic polish.

The shoes were a practical double-strap slide with a cork midsole, flat footbed and black rubber sole. Their upper appeared to be a smooth synthetic material, secured by two matte buckles. Worn with ribbed white crew socks, they had a lived-in quality that matched the rest of the outfit. While the silhouette echoed Birkenstock’s Arizona sandals, this version looked unbranded, with pared-down details that align with costume designer Brie Welch’s understated, character-first styling.

This isn’t Holmes’ first step into footwear minimalism on the “Happy Hour” set. Last week, she was seen in Chanel ballet flats, and before that, in well-worn cowboy boots — each look defined not by trend-hopping, but by tone. These sandals, paired with charcoal gray sweatpants, a white T and an oversized, washed-brown hoodie, continue that logic. The outfit layers looked intentional in their dishevelment, reading more like practiced fatigue than true sloppiness — a costuming choice likely tied to her character’s storyline.

Holmes carried a black leather shoulder bag with brass hardware and kept the rest of her styling bare: no makeup, no visible jewelry and hair pulled back loosely.

While socks-and-sandals may still raise eyebrows on the red carpet, they’ve quietly gained traction off it. Simone Ashley, Doechii and other stars have all worn similar pairings as of late, often with streetwear or soft tailoring. But Holmes’ version is less referential and more rooted in the scene at hand.

With “Happy Hour” following a woman starting over post-divorce, her footwear progression — from cowboy boots to broken-in Chanel flats to this — tracks a character slowly re-entering her own body.