The Hidden Truth Behind Diane Keaton’s Signature Wardrobe

Fashion can be expressive, bold, or playful, but sometimes it’s also a shield. For Diane Keaton, a woman celebrated for her talent, wit, and unmistakable presence on screen, what she wore wasn’t just about looking iconic. It was also about feeling safe.

Following the heartbreaking news of her passing at 79 on October 11, fans have been revisiting not only her legendary career but also the quieter truths she shared over the years. Loved ones confirmed her death in a statement to People, noting simply:

“There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness.”

Keaton’s influence on film is undeniable. Over a career that stretched more than five decades, she brought unforgettable characters to life in classics like The Godfather, Annie Hall, and The First Wives Club.

She won an Oscar, a BAFTA, two Golden Globes, and earned a long list of nominations that reflected the consistency of her craft. Beyond acting, she wrote four books and became a beloved voice off-screen as well.

But for many, Diane Keaton was more than an award-winning actress - she was a fashion force. Her style was instantly recognizable: oversized blazers, button-down shirts, wide-leg trousers, vests, structured suits, chunky belts, turtlenecks, and always, always hats. Her menswear-inspired looks became a signature so strong that it practically formed its own category in pop culture.

She turned hats and tailored outfits into her signature style, using them as both fashion and emotional armor.

She often said her mother inspired much of her wardrobe. In her own words, a great look consisted of “a turtleneck, suit, large belt, and of course, a hat and glasses.”

On the red carpet, she leaned into that aesthetic again and again, pairing tailored outfits with scarves, ties, and her trademark wide-brim hats. It appeared effortless, stylish without trying too hard, bold yet elegant.

But as she once openly admitted, there was more behind those hats than aesthetic preference.

“It’s very protective,” she told InStyle in 2019. “It hides a multitude of sins. Flaws, anxiety – things like that.”

She followed that honesty with a touch of her trademark humor:

“And I’ve always liked hats. They just frame a head. But, of course, nobody really thinks they’re as great as I do.”commons.wikimedia

It wasn’t just anxiety she was shielding, though - it was something much more serious. Keaton revealed that she had battled “so many skin cancers” throughout her life, including basal-cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

The latter was particularly serious and required two surgeries. During a conversation with Total Beauty, she urged others to take skin protection seriously.

“Wear sunscreen. You’ve got to put it on,” she warned.

She admitted that her diagnosis didn’t come quickly.

“I had it for a very, very long time [before it was diagnosed]. I knew something was up, but no one could find it. I had three biopsies before they found it. And it was deep.”

She explained how dangerous it could be:

“A squamous cell cancer is second to melanoma, and you can die from it because it will spread. It’s really not a joke.”

Her family’s skin cancer history inspired her protective, armor-like fashion choices.

Her family history made her even more aware of the risks. Speaking to the LA Times, she shared:

“I remember my Auntie Martha had skin cancer so bad they removed her nose. My father had basal skin cancer, and my brother had it.”

That history shaped her vigilance. As she put it:

“You’ve got to put the sunblock on, you’ve got to go to the dermatologist, you have to take care of yourself and pay attention.”

Her statement now feels even more poignant. Looking back, her fashion wasn’t just bold - it was a way of protecting herself physically and emotionally. The hats, the high collars, the scarves: they were part of her armor.

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For someone who lit up the screen for so many years, it’s touching to realize she carried her fears quietly and transformed them into something unforgettable.

Diane Keaton didn’t just gift us with iconic roles and unmistakable style; she showed us that even those who appear confident might be holding their courage together like a carefully chosen outfit.

And in her case, that outfit became legend.