Aimee Lou Wood's red carpet style is changing, and her latest look at the BFI London Film Festival might be the clearest sign yet. For the festival screening of The Idiot(s) at BFI Southbank on Wednesday, October 14, the Sex Education and The White Lotus star wore a tiered lace gown by London label De La Vali that looked more like a vintage-market find than a formal red carpet dress.

Best of all for fans who want to copy it: it's a ready-to-wear piece you can actually buy. Here's everything to know.

The dress: De La Vali's Auralite gown

Fashion writer Catherine Kallon, writing for Yahoo, identified the gown as De La Vali's Auralite lace-panelled tiered gown. On the brand's website, it is listed as the Auralite Maxi Dress in sage green and soft yellow, priced at £540.

According to De La Vali, the dress is made from two different laces. It has delicate lace chest panels, small gathered cap sleeves and cascading ruffle tiers that fall to an asymmetric hem. It is unlined, made from 100% viscose and, the brand says, designed in London and Ibiza.

Kallon described the mix of ivory lace and pale sage fabric as having "an almost Edwardian feel," but noted that the relaxed construction makes it feel more like a vintage discovery than a period costume. The ruffled shoulder straps and loose tiers give the skirt a slightly undone, bohemian look.

Styling and beauty

Aimee kept the rest simple. Kallon notes that she wore silver jewellery and a softly styled bob, letting the textures of the dress speak for themselves.

The short hair is key to why the look works. A bob keeps the neckline and lace panels visible, and stops a romantic, ruffled dress from tipping into costume territory. On the carpet, she also shared a warm hug with co-star Johnny Flynn, as the Daily Mail reported.

From mod to romantic: how her style has shifted

Kallon wrote that Aimee's early red carpet style leaned towards '60s mod influences, followed by a more rebellious, fun-loving phase. Now, her style seems to be moving towards something softer, with delicate fabrics and a romantic sensibility "that feels like a natural extension of her personality."

The De La Vali gown fits that shift neatly. It also connects to a wider trend on the London carpets this month, where pale yellows and soft lace keep showing up. We saw a couture take in "Penélope Cruz Bloomed in Butter-Yellow Chanel Lace at the Bunker Premiere — Every Flower Was Embroidered by Hand."

Why everyone is watching Aimee Lou Wood's style

Aimee has become one of Britain's most talked-about young actors since her breakout as Aimee Gibbs in Sex Education and her role in the third season of The White Lotus. With every premiere, she draws more attention as a style name in her own right.

The Idiot(s) has been on the festival circuit this autumn. It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where Aimee wore a white slip dress and a short bob, as seen in our cover photo.

How to recreate the look

Pick soft pastels. Sage, butter yellow and ivory are the season's romantic palette, and they flatter most skin tones in daylight and flash photography.

Mix laces and textures. A dress with two different laces, ruffles or tiers looks expensive and interesting without needing embellishment.

Keep jewellery silver and minimal. Silver suits cool pastels better than heavy gold, and less is more with a busy dress.

Balance the romance. Short or sleek hair stops a ruffled maxi from feeling like a costume. If your hair is long, try a low bun or tuck it behind your ears.

Choose simple shoes. Barely-there sandals or flat ballet shoes keep the focus on the dress and work for weddings and garden parties.

For another London premiere look that made understated look iconic, revisit "Carey Mulligan Wore Sunglasses on the Red Carpet — and Her White Satin Gown at the Wildwood Premiere Made It Look Iconic."

FAQ

What did Aimee Lou Wood wear to The Idiot(s) screening in London?

De La Vali's Auralite Maxi Dress in sage green and soft yellow, with silver jewellery.

How much is Aimee Lou Wood's De La Vali dress?

It is listed at £540 on the De La Vali website.

Where was The Idiot(s) screening?

At BFI Southbank, as part of the BFI London Film Festival, on October 14, 2026.

Who is De La Vali?

A womenswear label that says its pieces are designed in London and Ibiza. The Auralite gown ships from the UK.

Cover photo: Marlene Landu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0