Diane Keaton’s Most Memorable Quotes on Her Signature Style

Diane Keaton epitomized style both on-screen and off.

Renowned for her turtlenecks, wide belts, tinted sunglasses, and bowler hats, the cherished actress—who passed away at 79 in October 2025—mastered a variety of iconic black-and-white and monochromatic outfits that only she could truly pull off.

“I still adore a turtleneck, a hat, and a jacket,” she shared with WWD in 2024, emphasizing that she dressed for herself rather than to fit any trends. “I tend to wear suits more than ever. And wait … a wide belt.”

Regarding cinched waists, Keaton remarked to Vogue in September 2023, “These things are excellent; they affirm that I have a body. I’m serious! I prefer a belt that’s slightly tighter.”

On her passion for headwear, Keaton proudly stated she has amassed around 40 hats.

“I’ve saved every single one that I could wear on my quirky head,” she revealed to Vogue.

Below, discover some of Diane Keaton’s most memorable insights about her unique fashion perspective:

On Her Status as a Style Icon

“It’s such an honor! Why me? I’ve been incredibly fortunate,” Keaton stated to Vogue. “I adore clothes; I love to look at them. I purchase all the magazines and constantly tear out pages that inspire me—whether it’s a Dior outfit, hats, or home decor. I’m an addict.”

For the Love of Turtlenecks

“Turtlenecks are truly underrated. Buy one. I dare you! Try it out,” she encouraged in her 2014 memoir, Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty. “Turtlenecks cushion, shield, and guard a person from harm.”

She confessed to The Gloss that she learned quite a bit about fashion across the years but only kept one thing from the ‘60s.

“I got a tie or two from the ‘70s, some polka dots from the ‘80s, my cross necklaces from the ‘90s, and absolutely nothing from the ‘60s except my black turtlenecks,” she revealed. “I softened the colors of the past and embraced my instinct and affection for black and white.”

On Her Hat Collection

In her Vogue interview, Keaton mentioned that it has been effortless to expand her hat collection.

“I cherish them—nothing has changed, my love remains. I possess quite a few hats. I’ve kept every single one I’ve had the chance to wear on my quirky head.”

When queried about how many she owned, Keaton replied, “approximately 40” and humorously added, “Don’t you dare spread the word.”

“I find it a bit odd, but I absolutely love it,” she remarked about her diverse collection. “My favorite is a simple black Baron bowler hat. I’ve had it for ages. It’s reliable—and my head is still here, I mean.”

Interestingly, her dislike for her hair led her to adopt hats.

“I began wearing hats as soon as I realized I wasn’t fond of my hair,” she disclosed to The Gloss. “A hat allows me to conceal the most awkward part of my head. You know, that odd area from eyebrows to hairline. A hat is the finishing touch to a fantastic outfit.”

Why Belts Are a Lady’s Best Friend

Keaton often expressed how a belt can “lock her in” to an ensemble.

In a social media video post from July 2020, she showcased her extensive belt collection, praising the accessory for providing her figure with some definition.

“I only have my standard body, right? So the best way to conceal it—a method I truly enjoy—is by using belts. Belts are our saviors,” Keaton gushed while putting one on over a white coat. “I thought I’d share some tips on how to have a body that doesn’t conform—mine is just straight, like a stick, with some skin popping out here and there. You see what I’m getting at? Now I have on a belt. Don’t you think that looks a bit better?”

Her Eye for Eyewear

Keaton has always had a fondness for glasses, even collaborating with Look Optic in 2024 to launch her debut collection.

“Some things never change for me,” she told People at the time, describing the collaboration as “simple and chic.”

“I could wear glasses day and night,” she proclaimed. “I’ve even been known to sleep in them.”

Skirts and Dresses Weren’t Her Favorites

“I’ve always struggled with skirts, especially if they’re too short. (My knees are not flattering),” Keaton confided to The Gloss. “Even when they are below knee-length, I add a lot of tulle underneath to make it wide. I’ll never wear one without a belt.”

The same sentiment holds for dresses.

“I’m not a dress person,” she admitted. “If I do wear them, they’re rarely form-fitting and mostly paired with a belt.”

Coats and Jackets, and Blazers, Oh My!

As told to The Gloss, “a coat is my version of a ballgown.”

“A coat symbolizes perfection. It’s like being in a cellar. I feel hidden. I can relax in a coat, which is a blessing for someone like me who often feels anxious. A coat offers me the chance to decide how my waist appears. I secure myself with a nice big belt.”

She also reflected on her experience with Annie Hall, for which she received the Oscar for Best Actress in 1978, as igniting her passion for fashion.

“I look back on Annie Hall and can’t discuss that movie without referencing the fashion; it was everything to me,” she expressed. “I adored dressing as myself. My inspirations were the women of New York City, strolling through SoHo in baggy trousers and blazers. I loved layering.”

A Suit is a Woman’s Game, Too

“There are many wonderful aspects to love about a suit,” Keaton told The Gloss. “The pants don’t need to be tight, and neither does the jacket. I prefer my sleeves to be long, to cover me up. Suits bring me comfort.”

She began to explore suits in the late ’80s.

“By 1990, I started wearing more suits and developed an obsession with cross necklaces, layering them like a devoted nun,” she shared. “I also enjoyed incorporating bow ties and pocket squares.”

Keaton further revealed to Vogue that she enjoyed pairing a suit with a turtleneck and a vest.

“I aim not to be flashy, but instead dress in ways that please me. [With a black and white outfit,] anything can complement it,” she elaborated. “I can wear numerous hats or coats with wide belts. I prefer to keep color to a minimum.”

How She Found Inspiration in Thrift Stores

“[My mother] would take me to Goodwill and encourage me to express myself,” Keaton revealed to People in 2024. “She was my greatest supporter and instigator of my creativity.”

She also shared with The Gloss, “The Goodwill [thrift shop] was our sanctuary. Mom taught my sister Dorrie and me how to sift through to find treasures and alter them if needed. We would spend hours searching through racks for anything that held potential.”

“We would piece together our ideas, do my hair and makeup, and then head to the backyard (or find a wall in the neighborhood) to take pictures. I miss those backyard photoshoots with my mom.”

On the Designers She Loves

“I draw inspiration from everyday people,” she shared with WWD. “If you’re asking about designers, I admire Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, and Celine.”

Regarding her beloved belts, Keaton expressed her fondness for Susan Becker, stating in her social media video, “These belts embrace curves, and curves are a better fit.”

“The realm of belts has been overlooked. It’s time for all of us to reconsider the impact a belt can have on our bodies—especially in specific contexts and with particular clothing.”