Welcome to the great wedding boom of 2022.
At least 2.6 million couples are set to walk down the aisle in 2022, according to The Knot — and chances are, you’re invited to one (or many) this summer.
Stumped on what to wear? As the stylist to celebrities like Justin and Hailey Bieber, Olivia Wilde and Tracee Ellis Ross, to name but a few, Karla Welch is an expert at dressing clients for “I do” season.
And the fashion pro recently partnered with online thrift store ThredUp to create a curated shop for wedding guests in search of red carpet-worthy looks.
“I treated building this thrifted shop the same way I dress my clients for their most formal occasions – by finding unique pieces that speak to me and are timeless,” Welch tells Page Six Style. “You might see some color and style inspo from recent red carpet looks I’ve created … but you’ll have to guess which!”
Below, Welch shares some key dos and don’ts for dressing for all those summer weddings on your schedule.
DO: Start with a statement piece.
“Try building your look around one statement piece — it could be a shimmery bag with a simple gown, or you could wear a bright-colored dress with neutral shoes and simple jewelry.”
DO: Rewear.
“ThredUp found that more than half of people say it’s unlikely they’ll rewear an outfit purchased for a wedding. Rewearing a dress should be totally acceptable! My fashion advice would be to pick a simple dress that allows you to change up the accessories to keep things exciting. Try changing out your makeup look to keep it feeling fresh too!”
DO: Consider a suit.
“Who says you need to wear a dress? Jumpsuits and pantsuits are such a chic look that will keep you comfortable on the dance floor.”
DON’T: Wear white.
“White is obviously a no-no for anyone attending a wedding this summer! Otherwise, I think anything goes. Black is always very chic, but a bold, bright color also works well for a wedding. Weddings are happy and celebratory, so your look should reflect the mood!”
DON’T: Feel the need to splurge.
“The easiest thing you can do to save a little money (and be more sustainable!) is embrace rewearing. Thrifting for one look will also help save you money and get the best deal. Mixing high and low styles is also a great way to build a balanced look that is both comfortable and fun.”
DON’T: Put too much stock in trends.
“I’m not a huge subscriber to the latest trends. That’s why I love thrifting! I prefer to let unique items find me that will stand the test of time.”