There's a special kind of expert every bride, bridesmaid, and wedding guest needs on speed dial, and for so many women, that's Madeline. She's a formalwear stylist and the creator of The Best Dressed Guest, an Instagram platform dedicated to styling for weddings and other formal events. As a stylist, she helps clients find their dream dresses, develop head to toe looks, and navigate every styling decision in between, sharing expertise, inspiration, and curated recommendations with her followers along the way, all in service of one deceptively simple mission: making getting dressed for a wedding, whether you're the bride or a plus one, feel effortless, personal, and fun. We caught up with Madeline to talk about her path into styling, what she looks for in a new brand, and how she's bringing Mestiza's Fall 2026 collection to life for black tie galas, cocktail hours, and everything in between.

Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do, and what inspired The Best Dressed Guest?

I am originally from the Southeast but have lived in New York for over seven years now! I'm a wedding guest and occasion stylist, and I love what I do. My clients are primarily wedding guests (as you may guess), brides, mothers of the bride or groom, and bridesmaids, but I've also styled looks for galas, debutante balls, and even the White House Correspondents' Dinner!

I come from a fashion background and previously worked as a clothing and jewelry buyer at several department store retailers, so the love of fashion was always there. I created The Best Dressed Guest because, as a chronic wedding guest, I kept seeing a major void in resources around dressing for these events, like how to break down a funky dress code, or where to shop when you don't want to show up in the same dress as two other girls. My goal is to help women tackle all the tricky questions that come up along the way, from putting together a unique wedding guest look, to finding a mother of the bride dress that feels fresh and not frumpy, to assembling a perfectly mismatched bridesmaid lineup.

How has Instagram helped you build a community and find your voice in the special occasion space?

Each day, Instagram connects me with so many new women who are in need of styling; it's truly been integral to my growth. It's also been a great way to connect one on one in my DMs, and to discover new designers and other stylists in the industry.

When you're styling clients for weddings and special events, how do you balance dress code rules with personal style?

I always start with the event dress code and venue as my framework. That ensures the client is dressed appropriately, which means she'll feel more comfortable from the get go. But it's just as important that she feels like herself. I highly encourage clients to share photos of themselves in outfits they've felt good in, inspiration from Pinterest, and the brands they gravitate toward day to day, so I can get a real sense of their personal style and make sure the final look stays true to it.

What drew you to Mestiza, and what makes a brand stand out to you as a stylist?

What first drew me to Mestiza was the iconic dupioni pieces, so when I saw this new set in the Fall 2026 collection, I knew I had to have it. (Also, I just got my color analysis done, highly recommend this, especially for brides to be and Mothers Of, and found out I'm supposed to be wearing more navy. So here we are!) Luckily I have very few weddings this fall, so the Sadie Top and Blake Pant will get more mileage than a dress alone; I think it'll become a staple for dinners out in the city and holiday events.

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More broadly, the biggest things I look for in a new dress brand are uniqueness and quality. I want pieces that feel special and fun, and I want my clients getting the best construction and value no matter their budget. Mestiza caught my eye because the pieces are completely in a league of their own, with bright colors, playful prints, and convertible designs, and the quality can't be beat.

What trends are you most excited about for Fall 2026?

Art deco glamour, think intricate embellishment, rich textures, lots of fringe, is a trend I'm really looking forward to bringing to life on my clients. Mestiza's Thea Convertible™ Tassel Necklace is such a fun way to bring that art deco energy into a look, whether for a special event or everyday wear.

Three ways to style Mestiza's Fall 2026 collection:

• Black Tie: The Pietro Gown with the cape, paired with the Augustine tortoise bag, nude or gold pumps, and delicate pearl drop earrings.

• Cocktail: The Quinn Midi Dress in lapis blue, styled with a pointy toe mule, a texture or pattern rich clutch, and the Delanie earrings.

• Semi-Formal: The Sabrina Midi Dress, since it already packs a punch, I'd balance it with a simple metallic heeled sandal and a neutral statement earring like the Carlotta Convertible™ drops, plus a solid blue clutch for something a little unexpected.

Any advice for someone hoping to build a creative platform or styling business?

Be patient and stay the course; nothing happens overnight. And make sure what you're doing is truly something you enjoy, because it'll shine through to your clients and audience, and you'll be doing it for a long time, so it better be fun!