The Heartbreaking Reason Diane Keaton Always Wore Hats And Covered Her Neck In Public

Diane Keaton was celebrated not only for her sharp wit and charm but also for a career that defined multiple generations of Hollywood. Known for her intelligence, humor, and unmistakable individuality, she left a mark that stretched across five decades of film and stage. Yet, beneath her trademark poise, there were personal struggles few truly understood.

The beloved actress passed away on Saturday, October 11, leaving fans and friends around the world mourning her loss. Her family released a short statement requesting privacy as they come to terms with her passing. The exact cause of death has not been shared with the public.

Tributes have since flooded social media, with actors, directors, and longtime collaborators — including Woody Allen — sharing heartfelt memories of their time with her. One of her close friends also opened up about her condition in the final weeks before she died, revealing that she remained strong and witty until the very end.

Just as unforgettable as her roles in Annie Hall, The Godfather, and The First Wives Club was Diane Keaton’s distinctive sense of style. Her signature look — the fitted turtlenecks, oversized blazers, wide belts, and, of course, those beloved hats — became part of her identity.

Fans adored the confidence and ease she brought to her fashion. Every outfit seemed effortlessly cool, combining comfort with a sense of strength. Over time, her wardrobe evolved into something more than personal taste; it became an expression of who she was — elegant, self-assured, and wonderfully unique.

Her signature look was so deeply tied to her that it became almost impossible to separate the two. When people thought of Diane Keaton, they thought of that unmistakable silhouette — timeless, stylish, and completely her own.

In interviews, Keaton once broke down the formula that defined her look, joking that to achieve her signature style, all you needed was “a turtleneck, suit, large belt, and of course, a hat and glasses.” It was simple, but it worked — bold, clean, and classic all at once.

Yet, what many didn’t realize at the time was that her iconic wardrobe choices weren’t purely about fashion. There was a deeper, more emotional reason behind them — one that had as much to do with protection as it did with style.

Diane Keaton’s trademark hats became both her fashion statement & protection Fotos International/Getty Images

For Diane Keaton, keeping her head and neck covered was far from a random fashion statement. It was a deeply personal choice that helped her feel secure, confident, and even safe from the pressures of public life.

In a 2019 interview with InStyle, she opened up about why she dressed the way she did, explaining that her signature layers helped her manage self-consciousness and anxiety. "Yes, it's very protective. It hides a multitude of sins. Flaws, anxiety—things like that. I would not feel comfortable in a short skirt or something cut off with my arms hanging out there."

She went on to say that hats, in particular, had become something of a comfort to her — a way to feel composed in public spaces. "And I've always liked hats. They just frame a head. But, of course, nobody really thinks they're as great as I do."

But there was also a far more serious medical reason behind her famous wardrobe choices. Keaton spent most of her adult life battling skin cancer — a struggle that shaped not only her health but her sense of identity.

At just 21 years old, she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. Decades later, she faced another painful diagnosis — squamous cell carcinoma — and underwent multiple surgeries to remove cancerous tissue. Despite her calm demeanor, she often spoke about the fear and difficulty that came with those experiences.

Speaking to TotalBeauty, she once shared the simple but powerful advice she lived by: "Wear sunscreen. You've got to put it on," She revealed that after her diagnosis, she made sunscreen and sun protection a permanent part of her daily routine, always keeping factor 50 sunscreen close by.

The Hollywood icon’s turtlenecks also reflected her style, confidence, and hidden vulnerability Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Skin cancer, unfortunately, ran in her family. Her father, brother, and aunt all battled the disease, with her aunt suffering severe disfigurement after losing her nose to it. Keaton later admitted that in her younger years, she spent far too much time in the sun without protection — something she later called “stupid” and deeply regretted. She became an outspoken advocate for sun safety, encouraging others to protect their skin before it was too late.

In an interview with the LA Times, Keaton said her fondness for hats wasn’t just about fashion but about shielding her face from sunlight. Her turtlenecks and high collars served the same purpose — a barrier between her skin and the sun’s harsh rays.

Her style, while often celebrated as effortlessly chic, was also a quiet form of self-preservation — a way to protect herself both physically and emotionally from the glare of fame and the realities of illness.

Behind the brim of every hat and the fold of every turtleneck, Diane Keaton carried a story of strength, survival, and grace. Her style wasn’t just fashion — it was resilience, wrapped in elegance, worn by a woman who turned her pain into something unforgettable.