Until Tuesday of this week, I had almost forgotten the all-consuming obsession that once possessed my soul. The year was 2002 and, while sulking around the house, I discovered my brother's sordid collection of Dawson's Creek videos. (He will not thank me for this but I will omit his name in order to protect his identity.) Suddenly, my small town, Lincolnshire life paled in comparison to the thrilling exploits of teenagers-who-dress-like-middle-aged-adults in Capeside. It was Joey who became the focus of this obsession, however. I was 12 and I wanted to be her. I started to talk out of the side of my mouth, because this is how Joey spoke. Pacey fancied her, for heaven's sake! She sang On My Own in a beauty pageant! I started practicing in my bedroom.
Why am I making such a humiliating revelation on the internet? Because this week, friends, I saw a photograph of Katie Holmes in a cashmere bra(!) and matching cardigan and my obsession with her Dawson's Creek character washed over me in an instant. Nevermind Joey's prom dress. Holmes just invented the Most Perfect Outfit, made it look effortless and all in the midst of a very public break-up.
I've always wondered what I would look like if I were to be papped on the street – if I were caught unawares while running errands against an urban backdrop. Well, let me tell you – I would not look like this. There she was, on the streets (those lucky streets) of New York City, hailing a taxi. Holmes had, that morning, put on her cashmere bra, matching cardigan and best blue jeans and told the world that nobody else could ever tackle end-of-summer dressing with such aplomb ever again. It was the way the cardigan fell off one shoulder – so insouciant, so casual! It was the hint of a tan, the subtle glimpse of the bra (did I mention it's made of cashmere?). Simple black mules, sunglasses, a low-key gold necklace, a messy bun and a chain-strap bag just slung over her shoulder were the only accompaniment.
'Katie Holmes is now a cashmere bra influencer,' said Vogue. 'The best way to get over a breakup is to wear a $520 cashmere bra,' said The Cut. 'Are cashmere bras the new ice cream?' said I, to nobody in particular. Just for my only feeling of vindication, Khaite – the brand responsible for the cashmere bra – said that within a mere hour of them sharing an image of Holmes on Instagram, the bra in question sold out completely. See? I am not the only one to acknowledge the perfection of this ensemble.
When The Cut asked Catherine Holstein, founder and creative director of Khaite, why she thought the bra-cardi combo received such a strong response, she said: 'I want everything in cashmere. I want a cashmere house. Why not a bra? I have been making cashmere bras for two years now and really believed that people would catch on eventually.' Good grief – do you think Katie Holmes lives in a cashmere house?
It's not just the bra, though. I want a sexy cardigan, surely the most subversive of sartorial combinations. I want to wear it slightly off one shoulder with the most perfect pair of blue jeans that I can find in my wardrobe and just pray that I look like Katie Holmes. I won't, but that didn't stop me when I entered a school talent show in a black, spaghetti strap dress and sang the classic Les Misérables showtune, On My Own. So, it sure isn't going to stop me now!