Diane Keaton style icon — the phrase perfectly captures the legacy of an actress and fashion visionary who changed the way Hollywood viewed personal expression. The world mourns her passing at 79, but her influence on style and individuality continues to inspire generations across film and fashion.
At a 2022 Ralph Lauren show, Diane Keaton was her radiant, carefree self — sipping wine, laughing, and cheering from the front row. That moment embodied everything about the Diane Keaton style icon image: fun, authentic, and unapologetically unique.
Authenticity Over Perfection
In an age of stylists and curated fashion, Diane Keaton styled herself. Her signature mix of blazers, turtlenecks, bowler hats, and oversized belts became her personal uniform — an aesthetic both androgynous and effortlessly feminine. Ralph Lauren described her perfectly:
“Diane always marched to the beat of her own drum — in the way she lived, the way she saw the world, and the way she made all of us feel.”
That individuality is why Diane Keaton remains a style icon, even decades after her defining roles.
How It All Began
Keaton’s passion for clothing started long before fame. In her 2024 book Fashion First, she recounted how her mother would sew custom outfits for her at home. Accessories fascinated her as a child, and that love carried into adulthood, shaping the Diane Keaton style icon image that would influence fashion forever.
Her breakthrough in the 1970s — especially through The Godfather trilogy — positioned her in Hollywood’s spotlight, but it was her performance in Annie Hall (1977) that cemented her legacy. The iconic Annie Hall outfit — vests, wide trousers, floppy hats — wasn’t designed by a stylist. It was Keaton’s own wardrobe, brought to life on screen.
Breaking the Red Carpet Rules
When Diane Keaton, already hailed as a style icon, collected her Oscar for Annie Hall in 1978, she did so in classic Keaton fashion — literally. A double-breasted Armani blazer, striped skirt over pants, and a pink carnation pinned to her lapel. While others embraced gowns and glitter, she chose structure, humor, and self-confidence.
This bold departure inspired countless women to embrace individuality. Her menswear-inspired looks became a timeless statement of creative freedom.
Evolution of an Icon
Even as trends shifted, Diane Keaton style icon energy never faded. She experimented with Comme des Garçons, Thom Browne, and other avant-garde labels, blending modern touches with her unmistakable charm. From tailored blazers to wide-legged pants, she carried herself with ease and wit.
In later films like Something’s Gotta Give and Book Club, Keaton embraced a refined coastal aesthetic — crisp white shirts, wide belts, and neutral tones — while still maintaining her rebellious spirit.
Finding Joy in Fashion
Part of what made Diane Keaton a style icon was her ability to laugh at herself. In Fashion First, she wrote about her so-called “fashion disasters,” like her much-criticized 2004 suit with tails, admitting she found humor in her quirks:
“If we can’t laugh at ourselves, what is life about?”
Her approach was a refreshing reminder that fashion should be fun — not flawless.
A Lasting Fashion Legacy
Even now, Diane Keaton style icon lives on in modern fashion. Designers cite her menswear influence; celebrities emulate her balance of structure and spontaneity. She proved that true style isn’t about imitation — it’s about self-expression.
Diane Keaton didn’t follow the fashion world. She reshaped it. Through hats, belts, blazers, and authenticity, she reminded everyone that imperfection is often the most stylish thing of all.
Her legacy endures — in wardrobes, films, and the confidence she inspired in anyone daring to be themselves.
