A recent article in the Washington Post describes how thirteen-year-old blogger Tavi Gevison has taken the fashion industry by storm. Tavi’s blog, The Style Rookie, has been going since 2008 and her fashion musings, creative outfits and astute runway critiques caught the eye of the fashion industry. Last September she was invited to attend New York Fashion Week, where she sat in the front row. The front row!

Since then she has authored a column about Spring 2010 runway shows for the January issue of Harpers Bazaar, she has met Marc Jacobs, she was flown to Japan to visit Kawakubo’s studio (Rei Kawakubo is the founder and designer of couture brand Comme des Garçons), and she has been gifted with countless designer items straight off the hot runway press. Tavi was also recently asked to star in a behind the scenes video about the Rodarte line at Target.

From a normal life in the suburbs of Chicago to a fashion celebrity. These are tremendous achievements for any fashion blogger, but to have done it all by age thirteen is quite something. I wonder what’s next?

This is a bold statement and one I do not make lightly: A leather, faux leather, cotton or knit biker jacket, or biker-inspired jacket is a wardrobe must.

This item is right up there with the denim jacket because it has the magical ability to transform an outfit from drab to hip. Instant edge. Instant verve. Instant sass. I can’t think of an item that doesn’t look good with a moto jacket. Wear it over a cocktail gown, a graphic T and everything in-between.

Like military jackets, biker jackets are not trendy items that will date. They are timeless in their own right and deserve a permanent place in your wardrobe. I’ve been sporting a biker jacket for 25 years and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I have 25 year old clients and 69 year old clients in moto jackets so age is of no consequence because it’s how you wear the item that counts.

It’s also all about finding a biker jacket that’s appropriate FOR YOU. You are not bound to black leather with loads of zipper detailing. Choose a classic style in a colour sans zippers if that’s what tickles your fancy. Maybe you’d prefer one with ruffles. Either way, this item is a versatile, timeless piece. Are you sporting a moto-jacket yet? If not, why not.

My word, I do this all the time. And not just lipstick, but lip balm too. I don’t wait to find a public rest room. I’m obsessed with keeping my lips moist and can’t stand them to feel dry, so I’ll reapply lipstick every time I’ve had something to eat or drink, which means directly after a meal in a restaurant or a quick cup of tea. I will also reapply whenever my lips feel dry and it really doesn’t matter where I am.

Some style gurus feel that reapplying lipstick in public is unstylish.  I obviously don’t. Do you?

We’re going to spend lots of time discussing business casual dressing, but here’s a quick fix for those of you who want to spice things up right now. Most of these ideas can be interpreted appropriately for any quadrant of the Business Casual Context Model:

1. Think beyond black bootcut dress pants. Please! You have countless options if you’re open to them. Pinstripes, checks and false plains are a welcome change, not to mention colours like charcoal, shades of brown, ink blue, teal, eggplant, cream and white. Cigarette pants can look professional and so can a tailored pair of knee length walk shorts.
2. Wear dresses and skirts. After all, it’s these items that were created especially for women. Take advantage of it.
3. Add hose. You’ll be surprised at how much fun hosiery can be. A delicate polka dot, a daring diamond or a subtle floral design adds great dimension to an outfit.
4. Build in some colour. No need to stick to neutrals.
5. Choose blouses over knit tops and basic button down shirts. A soft blouse makes a clean, crisp and feminine change. Don’t think they’re frumpy. They’re fab.
6. Add boots and booties to the mix. Wear dressy knee-high boots with skirts and dresses and patent booties with pants. Wear booties with skirts and dresses if you dare.
7. Consider wearing tunics. They look sensational belted over straight leg pants or pencil skirts. And woven tunics get my vote over knit versions any day of the week.
8. Add belts. Transform a basic button-down shirt, cardigan or blazer with a skinny or wide waist- cinching belt.
9. Wear dressy flats if you can’t walk in heels. There’s nothing unprofessional about wearing dressy flat shoes, low wedges or heels an inch high.
10. Add a pin. Choose one that’s appropriate for your work environment and add interest to a jacket lapel or item of knitwear.
11. Wear (the right kind of) sleeveless items. Think impeccable sheath dresses, silk shell tops or blouses with built up shoulders, modest necklines and ample underarm coverage.
12. Add a scarf. They’ll bring instant life to an outfit tied using either a frivolous or an authoritarian knot.
13. Create interesting layers. Wear sleeveless blouses or knit tops over button-down shirts. Create colour and textural contrasts with camisoles. Add leggings to dressy skirt ensembles if you’re in a creative work environment.
14. Scrunch or roll up your jacket and shirt sleeves. It adds a relaxed element to a strict suiting blazer, and a textural element to a button down shirt.
15. Add cuff-links. Think of the fun you’ll derive from sporting vintage cuff links, and you could borrow hubby’s too.
16. Sport fabulous eyewear and a great watch. They are the most important accessories on your body, so if you’re not happy with them, get an update fast.

Hopefully we’ll see some of these in action on our forum. Can’t wait to see you post your outfits.