Lisa Armstrong: The French styling trick to stop you looking matchy-matchy
This is one of my favourites, from Marielle Wyse, the French founder of Wyse London: a hardly ever talked about tip that raises your outfit game, especially if you're wearing
In practice this means finding one colour in your 'pattern' and ensuring your other items match. Note that for our purposes, the pattern
Knit cardigan, £345,
; Jersey trousers, £34.90,
; Leather card case, £169,
The houndstooth jacket I'm wearing in the first picture, for instance, has three colours of equal force: burgundy, ivory and a very dark, almost black, brown. The trousers are burgundy, but brown, black and cream – when it gets a bit warmer and there are fewer puddles to dodge – will all work.
You don't have to be wearing a pattern to do le rappel.
Cashmere jumper, £250,
; Straight jeans, £100,
; Silver-plated earrings, £27.99,
That's why silk and cotton scarves, trims and any kind of contrast stitching, including the very popular blanket stitch, are useful. If you go in for any kind of typography on your T-shirts or jumpers, you can even try a spot of rappel with the colour of the letters. It all helps make a casual, relaxed outfit look pulled together.
Stripy cotton shirts with three colours, especially where the third isn't very noticeable, are excellent for le rappel as they give you more possibilities than a monochrome stripe – and the potential for striking different moods. A navy, white and brown stripe matched to navy or white trousers might have a spring-crispness. Matched to brown trousers, it's more autumnal and unexpected.
Wool-blend cardigan, £89.95,
; Cropped wide-leg jeans, £105,
; Patent-leather shoes, £160,
Don't overdo the
Once you get le rappel in your head, it becomes surprisingly easy – and a lot of fun – to create looks that have all the smartness of a suit without the formality. De rien.
Lisa wears: Italian houndstooth jacket, £350,
; Brushed cashmere cardigan, £185,
; Flared trousers, £110,
; Patent-leather shoes, £350,
; Acetate sunglasses, £187,
; Gold-vermeil and pearl earrings, £178,
; Suede bag, £149.99,
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Reporter
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh street performer on the podium at the magic 'Olympics'
Matthew Keys, an Edinburgh-based magician, has just returned from Turin where he spent 10 days competing at Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM), the 'Olympics' of magic. On Saturday he won third prize in the new category of World Champion Of Street Magic. Out of more than 100 applicants, 29 were invited to compete in Turin and just twelve were deemed to be of a high enough standard to compete in the final. Matt said it was a real surprise to get through in the tough weather conditions and against the high standard set by other acts. He said: 'This is a brand new category so it's a historic moment as FISM recognises the ancient art of street magic, which many believe is where performance magic began. 'The competition took place in Turin, Italy and was organised by FISM in cooperation with the host partner Magic Masters. The conference and competition happens every three years with around 5,000 magicians attending from all over the world. 'It's regarded as the highest level at which you can compete as a magician. I have a nine month old, and was torn about leaving him and my partner to go off and compete, but we're all glad I made the decision to go to Italy. I'm so happy to bring back a prize and I've already had offers to perform at festivals across Europe because of it. 'I'm now hoping to use momentum from this win as a platform to organise a little magic and street arts festival on the Plymouth Barbican and in South East Cornwall where I grew up and my parents still live. In Edinburgh, I hope to one day open a small magic theatre as I think it is the perfect city to celebrate magic and there is a great community of magicians here. Several of them were in Italy and offering kind words and support as I competed.' And as for the trick he perfected for Turin, Matthew explained it in detail (without giving it away of course). He said: 'I performed a comedy magic show called Matt Von Trap, and had to adapt to entertain an Italian crowd. Using jokes I'd pre-recorded on a sound board and mixing mime and visual comedy with the existing magic act I performed to a strict 25 minute time limit – having to cut from my usual 40 minute act. 'I performed a mixture of classic magic and new effects. Turning a bubble into a coin. Producing another coin by peeling the letters 'n' and 'o' off from a tattoo on my arm that says 'nothing'. Leaving a 'thing' on my arm and the letters N and O burst into a fireball to become another coin. Nothing up my sleeve! 'I plunged my hand into a bear trap to find a signed card. This is an innovative version of the linking rings with my own unique choreography. 'I made several audience members knights of the guild of the bag of mystery as we hunted for a missing €100 and saved it from the jaws of the lemon of doom. 'I've now got invitations to perform in a few festivals around Europe and I'm looking forward to taking an act I've honed on the streets of Edinburgh to new audiences.' Matthew can be found on the Royal Mile – and this is his website – Matthew Keys receives award from head judge Joshua Jay (Photo Credit:Felice Ling) Matthew Keys (3rd), The Charming Jay (2nd) and Eric Evans (1st). (Photo Credit: Felice Ling). FISM Awards Ceremony Turin 19th July (Credit: Felice Ling) Matthew Keys back in Edinburgh Like this: Like Related
Time Out
3 hours ago
- Time Out
The Pope's former private chef has opened a restaurant in SoHo
Chef Salvo Lo Castro's resume is truly a journey. The Italian-born chef has cooked all up and down the peninsula, from firing the burners at the three Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri to manning the kitchen of the five-star hotel San Domenico Palace in Sicily's Taormina region. But perhaps the most stunning of them all in this CV flex: For over a decade, chef Castro spent his time as a private chef for the Vatican, preparing meals for both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. As of 2022, the chef moved stateside to introduce New Yorkers to the way that coffee should be consumed with the opening of CASASALVO. Made the Italian way, his four cafes sell espressos, Americanos and cappuccinos at the low price of $2.51. Continuing to cater and work as a private chef on the side, Castro decided it was time to break out on his own, opening his first NYC restaurant in SoHo. As of July 20, chef Castro's restaurant, also named CASASALVO, is now open on 195 Spring Street. The restaurant reads like an elevated neighborhood find with a dining room marked by crisp white tablecloths, Italian walnut paneling and lemon and olive trees that frame the whole thing. The illuminated onyx bar comes fully stocked with over 350 wines for the choosing, sourced from the reaches of Italy and France to New Zealand. But if you are more of a cocktail stan, you can take to the terrace facing Spring Street, as the streetside bar is dedicated to the one and only Aperol Spritz. The menu explores Castro's Italian and Mediterranean influences with starters that include truffle-topped beef carpaccio and deconstructed Mediterranean salad with blocks of feta. However, the meatballs may be his most personal, as the dish takes a page from his mother's kitchen. Pastas and risottos travel all around Italy: Think bowls of paccheri with guanciale and pistachios, and Carnaroli rice with parmigiano crema and summer truffle. From the sea, Dover sole is cooked in a tomato sauce and garnished with mint, while the whole branzino comes with a touch of flair, getting deboned tableside. All meats are cooked over charcoal, including the filet mignon, Colorado lamb chop and house ossobuco. And on the sweet's menu alongside seasonal fruits, eclairs and gelatos, one dessert clearly
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
EIF bosses clash with city council over event permits
Organisers said they were "disappointed" at the outcome but hoped an upcoming review of licensing charges by the authority would bring costs down in future. City of [[Edinburgh]] Council's fee structure for public entertainment licences (PELs) - permits for events open to the [[pub]]lic required to ensure safety and compliance with regulations - provides discounts for some some groups including charities. However the council says this is not applied "where there is clear commercial activity". On Monday, less than two weeks before the start of the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), councillors considered an application by the EIF Society, which is a registered charity, seeking a partial refund of licensing costs for events at the University of Edinburgh's Old College Quad and Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. Read more The value of the discount sought was not made public, however PELs range from £1,454 for a venue with capacity of up to 200, to £5,808 for a capacity of up to 10,000. Lebanese-French dance company Maqamat are due to perform at the Old College Quad over four nights in August with tickets priced at £30. The Ross Bandstand will host a free 'big singalong' event featuring Dougie Maclean on August 3 to mark the start of festival season in Edinburgh, followed by Norwegian folk ensemble Barokksolistene alongside Scottish musician Donald Shaw and his ceilidh band the following night, costing £20 a head. Council reports by head of regulatory services, Andrew Mitchell, said these were ticketed events and the licensing department "understands that any monies raised will go back to the Society". He said charges for licence applications "are used to offset the significant costs which are incurred in dealing with licensing issues in the city". However a spokesperson for EIF said events at the Ross Bandstand and Edinburgh College Quad were not being run on a commercial basis "and will not generate a profit". They said: "They are deliberately programmed to engage a broader audience, with an average ticket price of just £25, and thousands of people will attend events in Princes Street Gardens completely free of charge. "As a registered charity, we operate on a not-for-profit basis and subsidise these events significantly to ensure wide public benefit. "Any reduction risks setting a precedent. However, the committee has the discretion to waive fees where it considers this appropriate." Councillors on the licensing sub-committee unanimously refused the fee reduction on the advice of officers. An International Festival spokesperson said: 'We're disappointed by the decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee. "We understand the basis for licensing charges will be reviewed at the upcoming Culture and Communities Committee meeting and we look forward to that discussion.' More from our Edinburgh correspondent It follows a decision by councillors last month to turn down a similar request by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, also a charity, for a discount on its £18,163 PEL bill for fringe performances on the Mound Precinct and High Street. Officials said in a report published last month the Fringe Society was yet to pay its licensing fees and the council was "processing these applications without payment". They added: "This is not normal practice - irrespective of any request to reduce a fee, payment must be made at the time of application." They said the Society has paid commercial licensing application rates since at least 2012 and discounts "operates commercial arrangements whereby it allows other businesses to sell goods from stalls within the licensed footprint. "It is the understanding of the Directorate that these arrangements are strictly commercial."
