As the UK endures another week of cloudy skies and showers despite a slight temperature uptick, the eternal fashion dilemma remains: how to embrace the yearning for spring without freezing. Two legendary actresses provided the perfect masterclass over the weekend. Helen Mirren and Glenn Close attended Erdem’s 20th-anniversary show at London Fashion Week, demonstrating how to wear florals in a way that feels fresh yet entirely practical for the lingering winter chill.
Both stars chose pieces from the brand synonymous with romantic prints, styling them for a grey February afternoon.
Dame Helen Mirren opted for an inky, pleated cotton poplin skirt featuring a floral print inspired by naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian’s scientific illustrations. To ground the look and make it seasonally appropriate, she paired it not with something bare, but with Erdem’s crew neck cardigan, complete with a detachable crochet collar. The look, finished with black Mary-Jane pumps, was further proof that the cardigan has shed its frumpy reputation for a decidedly glamorous resurgence.
Glenn Close took a coat-focused approach, wearing a navy Erdem piece embroidered with delicate blooms. She layered it over a crisp, buttoned-up white shirt and accessorized with Manolo Blahnik’s Moislifa pumps and a cream version of the brand’s mini Bloom bag. Later that same day, Close attended the BAFTAs in another Erdem creation: a two-piece from the Resort 2026 collection featuring moody, graphic florals. She styled it with sheer black tights and embellished Roger Vivier pumps, proving that darker, inky floral prints can transition seamlessly from a daytime fashion event to an evening awards ceremony.
Both women demonstrated a key rule of transitional dressing: when the weather hasn’t quite caught up with the calendar, layer your spring florals with substantial knits, darker accents, and practical footwear to avoid looking like you’re dressing for a season that hasn’t yet arrived.
