Katie Holmes keeps it simple with her style, favoring neutrals over loud hues and tailored basics over busy, dramatic silhouettes. Still, the actor proves again and again that minimalism doesn’t have to be boring.

She reiterated that this week, when she stepped out for a day in New York City in a quiet look that just worked. The fit was composed of a tan ribbed knit wool cardigan layered over a classic white T-shirt and paired with blue barrel jeans cropped just above her ankles. The collared cardigan was from Reformation, and had round golden buttons and ample side pockets. The jeans ballooned at the knee, only to cinch back up at the bottom—a controversial denim style that Holmes pulled off unhesitatingly.