cinematic fashion: Manhattan

Diane Keaton is one of my favorite (if not absolute favorite) film/fashion stars. Pretty much every film she is in is beautifully styled in every single way. My favorite era of hers is the late 70's/early 80's where she piles on the layers, the neurosis and walks the line of frumpiness and glamour. Her looks are always attainable, comfortable and relatable. It would be a given to reference Annie Hall and how much that had an impact on fashion, but the movie I want to discuss is Manhattan.

Manhattan is a 1979 American romantic comedy directed by Woody Allen. It follows a twice-divorced 42 year old guy who dates younger women before falling in love with his best friend's mistress named Mary (played by Keaton). The film is typical of Woody Allen, filled with intelligent humor, negative mindsets, romantic problems with New York City as one of the main co-stars.

I don't know what it is about Keaton's characters that really draws me, and so many other women in. She is always likable but imperfect and her wardrobe always represents something you want to emulate even if it's 30 years later. The overall styling of Keaton's character Mary is classic and bits of it are still seen in the runway and on the streets of Manhattan today. There is a feel of being very functional and basic yet chic, finished off with a touch of menswear. Mary wears structured blazers with button down shirts or billowing blouses tucked into trousers or jeans, with no fuss hair and beautiful camel coats.

Mary depicts the busy New York woman on the go, just trying to figure out life and get to place-to-place, worrying about everything and trying to maintain her appearance but not as much as she tries to maintain her mind. Womenswear styling in movies from 20+ years ago is refreshing because it's more realistic and down to earth than the styling that goes on in showbusiness now. Currently, styling in Hollywood is more about advertising and PR. Promoting different designers and promoting this glittery, hard to reach lifestyle, while in the past it was truly just about representing a character.

Woody Allen's female characters (specifically Keaton) are some of my all time favorite characters, so I will be posting about various Allen movies from time to time.