Diane Keaton Was a Once-in-a-Lifetime Fashion Icon. Look Back on How Her Signature Style Came to Be

Diane Keaton: A Style Icon Remembered

By Michelle Lee, Editorial Assistant, Style & Beauty

Fans and loved ones mourned the loss of Diane Keaton, the iconic actress who passed away at the age of 79 on October 11. Keaton’s impact on the fashion industry was profound, with her signature style featuring impeccable layering, tailored suiting, and a range of accessories like hats and glasses. Her unique sense of fashion was shaped early on by her mother, who influenced her self-expression through thrift store shopping trips. Keaton’s inspiration continued to evolve as she spent hours poring over magazines like Vogue.

Despite her Hollywood fame and access to designer clothing, Keaton remained a devotee of second-hand shopping, passing this tradition on to her son and daughter whom she adopted. The actress seamlessly blended her personal style with her on-screen personas, a practice she started as far back as the 1970s when she starred in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” in 1977. The film not only earned Keaton an Academy Award but also immortalised her as a fashion trendsetter.

Keaton’s collaboration with Allen brought her real-life style into the character of Annie Hall, influencing a generation of women to embrace androgynous womenswear. Despite her humble rejection of being the catalyst for this trend, Keaton’s image as Annie Hall remained an enduring part of her legacy. The late actress was known for her endless array of themed outfits that showcased her unique style and sense of humour, as recalled by her friend and collaborator, Carole Bayer Sager.

In a 2024 interview, Keaton shared insights into her approach to clothing, revealing that she often lent her personal items for film roles, ensuring their safe return afterwards. Her fashion choices also had a practical side; her battles with skin cancer led her to take sun protection seriously, often seen wearing hats as a preventive measure. In her book “Diane Keaton: Fashion First” published in 2024, Keaton highlighted decades of her fashion evolution and imparted style advice to her fans.

Keaton’s willingness to experiment with her ensembles was evident throughout her career, from her iconic suits to a daring lace gown at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2004. Despite facing criticism for her eccentric style at times, Keaton embraced her unique fashion choices with grace and humour. Reflecting on her outfit selections, she mused, “If we can’t laugh at ourselves, what is life about?” Diane Keaton’s legacy as a fashion icon extends beyond her filmography, leaving a lasting impression on the industry and inspiring future generations.

As the world remembers Diane Keaton’s unparalleled style and contribution to fashion, her love for self-expression and creativity remains a guiding light for all fashion enthusiasts. Her unique blend of elegance, humour, and individuality has solidified her status as a timeless icon, cherished by fans and fashion lovers alike.