Diane Keaton: Fall’s It-Girl

Onscreen and off, Keaton remains our fall fashion icon.

As the weather cools down for those of us on the East Coast, many will begin to break out their beloved sweaters, boots, and turtlenecks. The plaids will make their debut and our bright colors will find themselves taking a backseat to our tried-and-true neutrals. Yes, fall is almost here. At least in theory.

Growing up in Central NY, fall wasn’t just a season – it was a lifestyle you waited to return to every September/October. While I no longer live in New York, I still carry my dedication to fall in my heart and in my closet. 

If you’re new to the fall fashion game or are simply bored with your go-to chunky knits and leggings (I’ll pray for you), fear not – we have our fashion godmother, Diane Keaton, to look to for inspiration. 

While she’s picked up clout among younger generations for her coastal grandmother looks on screen (namely, “Something’s Gotta Give”), in her actual life, Keaton’s fashion leans more towards chic, experimental androgyny. It’s something she herself has credited to her days as the famous Annie Hall. 

As she put it in her recent interview with Nightline, it was the film that gave her the confidence to “wear whatever the hell [she] wanted.” Since then, Keaton has developed a unique, timeless style filled with tailored pieces, dresses and skirts, layers, wide belts, neutral tones, wide-legged trousers, and of course, hats. Her dedication to intentional layers and darker tones make her now, and forever, Fall’s It Girl.

So how does she do this? How does she keep her neutral outfits from seeming flat? Well, in her words, she stays curious. And you can tell. Even though she leans towards black and white ensembles, Keaton’s outfits are anything but safe. Time and time again, the world has seen her take something seemingly basic like a plaid print or a man’s suit jacket, and make it pop thanks to her choice of dramatic details and silhouettes. 

Below are just a few examples of her iconic looks! These are just some snapshots of five decades’ worth of incredible fashion, and goodness are we thankful. 

So, as you start planning that fall wardrobe, light a candle to our fashion godmother, Diane Keaton. Don’t be shy to pair the bold with the basic. Experiment with your layers. Give your classic pieces a modern edge. And of course, always, always be curious. 

- Caeli Faisst

images via Getty Images in Vogue, Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images, Willy Sanjuan/Associated Press