Keira Knightley’s Boston Strangler Press Tour: 7 Elegant Looks That Redefined Modern Classic Style

In March 2023, Keira Knightley made the rounds to promote her latest film, Boston Strangler, with a whirlwind of fashion moments featuring seven different looks.

The British actress stars as Loretta McLaughlin, a real-life reporter in Boston during the early 1960s who broke the story of the serial killer for the Boston Record American.

Keira Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin in the 2023 historical crime drama film Boston Strangler (Credit: Hulu)

In an interview with British Vogue, Keira Knightley said she “loved that it was a true crime story that had two women at the center of it.”

When asked if she was worried about the true crime genre being exploitative, she answered: “Of course! But I felt like it was much more of a story about how important it is to have women in positions of power, as far as investigative journalism goes, because the stories that they choose to cover and tell will be different than their male counterparts. I felt happy that it wasn’t simply glorifying violence against women.”

Carrie Coon as Jean Cole and Keira Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin in the 2023 historical crime drama film Boston Strangler (Credit: Hulu)

But when it comes to the costumes in Boston Strangler, the celebrated queen of period films admitted that “the ‘60s is not my era. When it goes into that A-line, short skirt thing, I don’t have the legs for it, and it makes me super uncomfortable.”

She continued, “But I was lucky because it’s set between 1962 and 1964, so we actually took a lot of the silhouettes from the late ‘50s instead, which I’m more comfortable with – and look better in.”

Keira Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin in the 2023 historical crime drama film Boston Strangler (Credit: Hulu)

An Array of Costumes and a Consistent Beauty Look

Keira Knightley certainly looked fabulous while doing the promotional circuit for Boston Strangler. She had a total of 7 outfit changes for the New York premiere and an entire day of doing press.

The key to a successful round of costume changes is a consistent beauty look, which Keira Knightley had, leaving room for only a few touch-ups. Her makeup was minimal, with only her lip color changing from a berry shade to a pinkish nude. Keira kept her hair loose and slightly tousled for added bounce.

Keira Knightley exudes understated sophistication in two press-tour looks — a tailored cream Gucci skirt suit with studded heels by the brand and a feather-trimmed Valentino trench that channels old-Hollywood charm (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages / Darla Khazei)

Styled by Leith Clark, Keira Knightley’s Boston Strangler press tour exuded her signature timeless elegance with playful elements and a dose of cool edge.

1. Vivienne Westwood Corset Elegance: Romantic Silhouette & Chanel Satin Sandals

For the New York screening of Boston Strangler, Keira Knightley went back to her comfort zone and donned a corset dress. The Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood Spring 2023 design featured a corset bodice, a low neckline, and puffed-up shoulders.

Her A-line skirt had a hem that stopped at the ankles, showing off her Chanel black satin sandals. A Sophie Bille Brahe necklace added a bit of sparkle and provided the finishing touch to her look.

2. Head-to-Toe Gucci: Tailored Cream Suit & Studded Pointy Heels

As for her appearance at the Live with Kelly & Ryan show, The Imitation Game actress was decked out in head-to-toe Gucci.

She wore a Gucci Spring 2023 cream skirt suit, which was styled with a Gucci blue pleated Oxford shirt. The outfit was cinched at the waist with a thin black belt and rounded out with a pair of Gucci studded pointy-toe heels.

Keira Knightley steps out in a cream Gucci Spring 2023 skirt suit layered over a sky-blue Oxford shirt and cinched with a slim belt, finishing the look with edgy black studded Gucci heels that add a modern twist to classic tailoring in New York City on March 15, 2023 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

3. Parisian Cool: Celine Tailored Suit & Calfskin Boots

Clearly, the style star didn’t want to be photographed wearing the same outfit twice. She arrived at the CBS studios in Hedi Slimane’s Celine Fall 2023 tailored ensemble.

The three-piece black suit was styled with a white lavalliere blouse to soften the edges and add a romantic charm to the look.

As for her footwear, she opted for Celine black calfskin leather boots. They feature pointed toes, straight heels, and the brand’s signature engraved on the adjustable western buckles.

Keira Knightley cuts a sleek figure in a Celine three-piece black suit styled with a silk lavalliere blouse and pointed calfskin ankle boots for a refined take on Parisian power dressing in New York City on March 15, 2023 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

4. Valentino Romance: Feathered Maxi Skirt & Roger Vivier Heels

The Bend It Like Beckham actress sneaked in a surprise with a romantic look from Valentino on The Drew Barrymore Show.

She wore a Pre-Fall 2023 heather-grey sweater with a feathered maxi skirt. The tonal look was styled with a dainty necklace for a bit of sparkle and a pair of Roger Vivier heels.

Keira Knightley softens her style in a Valentino Pre-Fall 2023 gray sweater and feather-trimmed maxi skirt, paired with Roger Vivier heels that add a romantic, textural finish in New York City on March 15, 2023 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

5. Old-Hollywood Glam: Valentino Feathered Trench & Carel Paris Pumps

As for her fifth look, the Begin Again star was photographed leaving her hotel in a Valentino belted trench coat with tonal feathered trim that exuded old Hollywood glamour.

She styled it with a pair of Carel Paris Xena pumps ($596 at Farfetch) in black velvet. These shoes feature decorative buckle detailing, square toes, rear zip fastening, and low block heels.

Keira Knightley radiates Old Hollywood glamour in a beige Valentino belted trench coat trimmed with tonal feathers, paired with black velvet Carel Paris “Xena” pumps featuring multiple buckle straps and low block heels in New York City on March 15, 2023 (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)

6. Whimsical Edge: Simone Rocha Metallic Midi & Platform Pumps

Adding a bit of whimsy to the rotation, Keira Knightley stepped out in head-to-toe Simone Rocha for her guest stint at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit actress wore a Fall 2023 metallic midi dress with puff sleeves and pleated detailing.

On her feet are Simone Rocha ballerina platform pumps in polished black calf leather. These shoes feature heart toes, lace-up ballerina detailing, tapered block heels, buckle fastening, and rear pull tabs.

7. Classic Finale: Chanel Lace Jumpsuit & Signature Satin Sandals

Of course, a Chanel girl through and through, Keira Knightley, saved the best for last. She was photographed arriving at her hotel in head-to-toe Chanel, wearing a semi-sheer black jumpsuit styled with a black lace jacket.

For a full circle moment, she had on the same Chanel satin sandals that she wore for the Boston Strangler New York screening, which was the first stop of her whirlwind press tour.

Keira Knightley closes her Boston Strangler press tour in a semi-sheer black lace Chanel ensemble styled with a jeweled belt and matching satin sandals for a sophisticated monochrome finale in New York City on March 15, 2023 (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)

From her corseted Vivienne Westwood debut to her Chanel-clad finale, Keira Knightley’s Boston Strangler press tour reaffirmed her status as a fashion icon. Each look balances classic refinement with quiet rebellion — proof that her style evolution remains as captivating as her filmography.

Keira Knightley’s Fashion Legacy Beyond the Boston Strangler Press Tour