The Buff Footman has a wingspan of 28-36 mm.
The male forewing is greyish white with a faint yellow stripe along the basal third of the leading edge.
There is an orange yellow fringe on both wings.
In the slightly larger female the forewing is usually brownish grey with a much more distinct orange stripe along the leading edge and the hindwing is grey.

The Buff Footman (Eilema depressa) is quite similar to the Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) but is distinguished from it by an entirely yellow collar whereas the Common Footman has a grey spot on its collar (behind the eyes).
In addition, the Common Footman has yellow legs whereas the Buff Footman has dark legs.
The also similar looking Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola) can be distinguished by its much wider wings; in resting position it has a rather oval shape.
And the also similar looking Scarce Footman (Eilema complana) can be distinguished by its much narrower, tubular shape whereas both the Buff Footman and the Common Footman have a much more flatter appearance.

In my yard, Hilversum, The Netherlands, 12 October 2018