In a Total Beauty interview, she recalled a serious health scare that cemented her cautious approach: “Six years ago I had a squamous cell, which is serious. And I had it for a very, very long time before it was diagnosed.
This experience transformed her wardrobe from a statement of style into a carefully curated form of protection.
Keaton leaned more heavily into high collars, wide-brimmed hats, and covered silhouettes — choices that would shield her skin from the sun while simultaneously allowing her to craft a look that was uniquely her own.
Fashion as Armor and Personal Expression
Keaton’s approach to fashion was deeply intentional. She used her clothing as both armor and a canvas for self-expression.
According to the Los Angeles Times, her signature hats were more than mere accessories; they were essential tools in her daily life, keeping the sun off her face while framing her persona in a way that felt deliberate and powerful.
She often paired them with turtlenecks and tailored suits, creating a cohesive visual language that became synonymous with Diane Keaton herself.
Yet even within this framework, her style was far from rigid. Keaton embraced layering, texture, and a playful approach to mixing classic and modern elements. She treated fashion as a daily ritual of creativity and self-assertion.
In a Metro interview, she described how her wardrobe served both protective and expressive purposes: “Yes, it’s very protective. It hides a multitude of sins — flaws, anxiety — things like that.
I would not feel comfortable in a short skirt or something cut off with my arms hanging out there.”
Her self-imposed boundaries were never about insecurity. In conversations with Women’s Wear Daily, Keaton emphasized that she deliberately avoided revealing clothing, saying, “Anything showing my body or skin is off-limits,” while underscoring that turtlenecks and glasses were central to her identity.
Style as Storytelling
For Keaton, fashion was a way to narrate her own story. Every turtleneck, every hat, every blazer was a signal of intention, autonomy, and careful curation.
It was not a mask in the sense of hiding, but a medium through which she could communicate who she was to the world.
By the 2020s, her look had become iconic — a personal uniform that fans immediately recognized, but that also reflected a life shaped by experience, health awareness, and artistic sensibility.
Her wardrobe choices spoke to themes that transcended fashion: strength in the face of vulnerability, self-respect, and the assertion of individuality.
Keaton’s sartorial consistency became an emblem of defiance against societal pressures to conform to fleeting beauty standards.
In interviews, she consistently framed her style as an expression of self-possession rather than conformity.
The Final Public Appearances
She carried shopping bags with effortless poise, embodying the elegance and quiet strength that had defined her decades-long public persona.
That day, August 20, would turn out to be her final public appearance. The image of Keaton strolling through the streets, fully herself, became emblematic of her life’s approach: unshaken, controlled, and quietly commanding attention without seeking spectacle.
When news of her death reached the public, fans revisited those images, seeing in them a woman who had remained true to herself until the end.
Fans React to the Icon’s Last Moments
The outpouring of emotion following her death reflected the deep connection fans felt to both Keaton’s style and her persona. On Facebook and X, users shared admiration and nostalgia:
“Wide belt & classic turtleneck! She still seemed so vivacious. So sad her health changed so quickly. She was and will always be an icon and a role model for so many women.”
“It’s bittersweet knowing her last public moment was just a quiet day out. Rest in peace, Diane Keaton.”
“She was very active. You could see the confidence in her walk and her presence.”
Not all comments were uncritical, reflecting the complexity of public life:
“Something about her seemed insincere, even her smile seemed strained.”
“She looked thinner than usual, which made me worry about her health even more.”
Yet these dissenting voices were largely overshadowed by the broader chorus of grief and admiration.
Keaton’s influence was profound, spanning generations, not just for her work on screen but for her embodiment of strength, individuality, and creative self-expression.
A Legacy Beyond the Screen
Diane Keaton’s lasting legacy is inseparable from both her film work and her distinctive personal style.
From Annie Hall to Something’s Gotta Give, her performances redefined female characters in Hollywood, blending wit, intelligence, and vulnerability. But equally important was how she carried herself in life — a carefully curated persona that communicated control, awareness, and artistry.
Her commitment to protecting herself, first through health-conscious choices and later through signature wardrobe elements, is a testament to her foresight and self-respect. Continue reading…
