Pop culture

Young Diane Keaton’s Best Style Moments

These young photos of the star prove her penchant for androgynous fashion and suiting is truly timeless.
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Born on this day in 1946, Diane Keaton has been in the spotlight for over 50 years now, having taken her first role on Broadway in 1968. Since then, the Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe winner has made a name for herself for her exceptional acting skills in cult-favorite movies and for her androgynous sense of style. Keaton’s love of mismatched suiting and her willingness to take fashion risks make her one of Hollywood’s most memorable dressers. To celebrate her 76th birthday, L’OFFICIEL rounds up some of our favorite photos of the star in her youth.

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Born to parents Dorothy and Jack, Diane grew up in southern California. She graduated high school in 1964 and studied acting for a year before moving to New York City to start her career. There, Keaton studied at the famed Neighborhood Playhouse before appearing on Broadway.
In her first passport photo, a young Keaton sports Jane Birkin-inspired bangs and newly-bleached hair. The photo reads Diane Hall, Keaton’s birth name. She changed her surname to Keaton when she joined the Actor’s Equity Association as there was already a Diane Hall registered with the group.
For her first ever headshot, the young actress rocks a natural mod beauty look with simple dark eyeliner and long, shaggy fringe bangs.
Since her early days in New York’s theatre scene the actress has known the power of wide leg pants and an open, oversized jacket. Her balloon trousers and oversized cardigan would look just as stylish on the streets of New York today as they did in the ‘70s.
Before she was a moviestar, Keaton was a Broadway star. The actress appeared in “Hair” and in “Play it Again, Sam” in 1968 and 1969 respectively. Shortly after, Keaton reprised her “Play it Again, Sam” role of Linda Christie for a movie of the same name.
“Looking for Mr. Goodbar” is one of Keaton’s first roles in a drama. The 1977 film was a box office hit, and Keaton was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes and the New York Film Critics Circle Award.
For her suiting looks, Keaton often mixes pinstripes and polka dots. The actress loves to combine vests and ties of different patterns, presenting a personal and curated take on menswear’s formal monochrome three piece suit.
Keaton’s unique style is a central part of 1977’s “Annie Hall.” In a role written especially for her, the actress pours herself into her character, which ultimately wins her a Golden Globe and Academy Award for her performance.
Pictured with then-boyfriend Warren Beatty, the actress’ red and brown look encapsulates the eccentric, laidback ‘70s glam. Recently, designers like Celine’s Hedi Slimane have channeled the era on the runway.
Keaton’s closest friends often name her uniquely joyous outlook as one of her most wonderful qualities. “She’s got a funny slant on life to begin with, and it makes you want to be funny when you’re around her,” the actress’ “Something’s Gotta Give” co-star Jack Nicholson said. “If you have trouble talking to her, that’s your fault.”
In the era of the power suit, Keaton’s heavy shoulder pads may not have stood as much as they do today. Still, this look from her movie “Baby Boomer” combines a Victorian-inspired sleeve with women’s suiting.
Though the actress is known for her iconic suits, she also has a longstanding penchant for polka dots. In this photo from the 1980s, Keaton mixes a black and white permutation of the print with a silky headscarf. The style star still often expertly mixes prints, patterns, and textures.
Keaton brings her love of polka dots to this suit with a simple pocket square. The printed handkerchief adds a nice touch to the star’s outfit.
Keaton wears this green and white dress to a benefit in 1993. She matches it with a beret and clean, simple white shoes and socks.
Al Pacino, Keaton’s co-star and then-boyfriend, gave her Josie the dog while the two worked together on “The Godfather III.” The actress loves her pets dearly. Currently, Keaton is a proud dog owner and a spokesperson for the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

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