Fashion as a Fortress: The Deeper Meaning of Diane Keaton’s Style

Diane Keaton, who passed away at 79, was a fashion icon whose quirky, layered style redefined Hollywood glamour. But a deeper look at her life reveals that her fashion was more than just aesthetic; it was often a fortress, a stylish defense mechanism against the health battles she waged in private.
The most literal piece of this fortress was her hat. It was her frontline defense against the sun, a necessary shield in her lifelong war with skin cancer. By making it her signature, she turned a piece of protective gear into a statement of identity, brilliantly merging necessity with style.
Her layered, often menswear-inspired clothing can also be seen through this lens. During the years she struggled with bulimia, a disease that profoundly impacts one’s relationship with their body, her choice of less form-fitting, more architectural clothing could be interpreted as a form of emotional armor. It was a way to present a confident, composed exterior while her body was the site of a chaotic internal battle.
This is not to say her style was solely a defense mechanism, but to recognize the deep interplay between her internal world and her external presentation. Her fashion was a complex language, speaking of creativity and independence, but also, perhaps, of protection and resilience.
Diane Keaton’s legacy is a reminder that what we wear is never just about clothes. It is a form of communication, a reflection of our identity, and sometimes, a fortress that helps us face the world.