This one hit hard. When someone has that much High Spirited energy you kind of expect them to be invincible, a forever part of your world. So, hearing about Diane Keaton’s passing this week was tough.
I personally resonated with her because High Spirited is a big part of my own style blend and energy as well. Let’s break down how she made her fashion choices and embodied that so wonderfully.
What made her fashion choices intelligent?
You would rarely, if ever, see Keaton in anything but neutrals unless she was in costume for a role. That ensured that there was always a sense of coherence and 
harmony in her outfits. That was true even when she was wearing extremely casual wear.
And then there was intentionality. This is the new buzz word in style. And it is popular for a good reason. When we make intentional choices we tend to look more carefully at what we are expressing through our attire.
Diane Keaton had a very clear idea of what she wanted to express and did it perfectly. She stayed within a specific color palette, she never paired wildly competing patterns, her clothes had perfect proportional balance for her body, and she added signature accessories that pulled her looks together. Those often were the focal point that made the statement she intended: large, beaded necklaces, quirky stylish booties, statement belts, and very often, as is the case with those with a lot of High Spirited energy, hats. Intentionally choosing the accessories that completed her looks created a very satisfying sense of completion and harmony. And she did that beautifully.
Her color harmony
Although I am not a color analyst I think Diane was primarily an Autumn/Spring combination. In spite of the flighty neuroticism she seemed to convey, she also had a grounded core that reflected her Earthy Rich color qualities. She also had that sunny disposition that Spring (Lively Bright) types seem to have. This can be a double edged sword, as people tend to think Lively Brights are upbeat even when they are going through difficult times in their lives. The upside is that, innately, they actually do tend to be optimistic.
Another thing she did well was to reflect the color of her hair – especially as she aged – as a neutral for her wardrobe. This is a smart and practical trick that seems to always work regardless of one’s color season.
The Yin/Yang energy of High Spirited
Starting with Annie Hall, we saw Keaton embrace menswear staples: button down shirts, bowler hats, and especially ties. This is something High Spirited types do so beautifully. Her personality and vulnerability were so clearly yin, that the menswear items she wore only served to emphasize her femininity in contrast.
Now, High Spirited is considered a yang style facet. But I like to look at the concept of yin and yang as contained energy vs. expressed energy, respectively. So although she wore a lot of yang menswear items, they were more playful than “hard”.
John Kitchener has referred to High Spirited as “compact Drama”. Dramatic fashion is often theatrical. Compact drama can also be theatrical or costume-y, but it comes with a big wink. It lets you in on the joke instead of commanding your attention in a more controlling manner.
What we can all take away from Keaton’s style journey
Not everyone can embrace the High Spirited style essence. Keaton herself wasn’t an exact example of High Spirited. At 5’5” her body frame leaned more toward Classic. She had a mostly rectangular frame that reflected that as well. And she wore belts a lot to give herself a waist.
But what she modeled for us was her intelligent color choices in a consistent color palette, perfect proportions for her body, strategic use of accessories, and a delightful sense of play in her combinations.
All that indicates that wonderful word, intentionality. Dolly Parton, another style icon with wildly different style, said: “Know who you are and do it on purpose”.
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