After a year plus of sleepwear-as-workwear, stretchy pants, and working from the couch, my relationship with my closet is not what it used to be. There are stilettos I haven’t touched in more than a year, dresses I’ve forgotten I own, and don’t even get me started on formal wear.
So, when delayed weddings and invitations flooded in this past summer, I’m not going to lie, I panicked. It feels like I’ve somehow forgotten how to dress up—and I can’t be the only one. With most of us feeling cautiously optimistic about the following year, I’m ready to face the facts: It might be time to start getting ready again.
In short, I needed a stylist—and not just any stylist, one that could get me out of my fashion rut and into formal wear without breaking the bank. Enter Wishi, the fashion platform started by stylist-to-the-stars Karla Welch. You’ve definitely seen her work—the fashion insider has dressed everyone from Tracee Ellis Ross to Lorde—so it’s clear she knows a thing or two about curating a look. From red carpets to street style moments, she’s orchestrated outfits for every type of client, wardrobe, and taste, and now Welsh is bringing her skills to everyone.
After years working in the industry, Welsh wanted to bring what she does for her celebrity clients to anyone looking for a style boost. What’s more, “Wishi differs from anything else on the market because it is the most personalized and personal styling service available,” says Welsh. “We match each user with a highly compatible stylist, and once the user and stylist start a dialogue, that stylist will send over shoppable style boards based on their client’s unique needs and preferences.” As someone who’s used the service and loves to serve an unexpected look (my vintage collection is growing larger by the day), the stylist I matched with, Sierra, understood my vibe immediately. “We don’t put our users ‘in a box,’ so to speak,” says Welsh.
Karla Welsh
How It Works
Whether you are going to a black-tie ceremony, rehearsal dinner, or a tropical destination wedding, there’s a Wishi stylist for you. All you have to do is sign up for the service of your choice: the brand offers Mini and Major options for every type of fashion need. The former ($40) is ideal for an event or a special outfit—and provides a personalized moodboard, chat with a stylist, and a few shoppable links to suit your taste. The latter ($90) is more of a wardrobe overhaul or closet cleanup—think a full-on fashion intervention guided by a stylist who gets it.
For my Wishi experience, I opted to try out the Mini option for an upcoming fall wedding I was attending. And my stylist delivered. She asked all the right questions, so her curated selection required zero edits from me. I ended up finding endless inspiration for the formal fall wedding I was attending.
It’s also worth noting that Wishi allows you to add pieces from your existing wardrobe. If you’re not looking to shop a ton (but maybe need a little help finding the right pair of shoes or judging if your outfit vibe is right for a specific dress code), this is an ideal option.
Karla’s Wedding Guest Style Tips
For anyone curating a wedding guest look on their own, Karla has some solid advice. If you’re looking to balance style and comfort (who isn’t), she recommends going monochrome: “Choose your favorite color and wear it from head to toe. Monochrome takes a simple look like a slip dress and flats and really elevates it—it’s understated elegance.”
And if you’re more of a trendy dresser, she loves bold colors right now. “When you look good, you feel good, and color therapy is really speaking to our clients right now,” says Welsh. “Everyone is looking forward to brighter days ahead.”
As for the style mistakes to avoid, less is more. “Focus on a single statement piece,” she says. It’s all about understated elegance, and focusing on one gorgeous statement will underscore its impact. And when in doubt, accessorize with the classics: “I love a big, gold, chunky necklace and statement earring and always a red lip!” says Welsh.
The Bottom Line
Even if you have a lower price point, Wishi can help you get more bang for your buck. “We’ll style you with what’s already in your closet and suggest a few new, staple items your wardrobe might be missing,” says Welsh. “Since our stylists are never paid on commission, there’s no pressure to buy new things.” In short, Wishi could be the fashion savior you’ve been looking for amid this wedding boom.
