Elegant outfits abound for mothers of the bride

Ever since you were a little girl, your mother has probably dreamed of how you might look in a wedding dress. However, most mothers of the bride don't relish the idea of shopping for a dress for themselves.

So, the moment after you've found your bridal gown, you might want to spend some extra time with mom shopping for an outfit that will help her find the elegant look she's hoping to achieve.

The design duo of Badgley Mischka is one of the best purveyors of sophisticated wedding day fashion bliss. ''Every woman should have times when she feels wonderful, and creating that feeling is our goal,'' say the two designers who filled their spring collection with dresses fit for fairy tales. ''Every life deserves a shot of fantasy, a dose of beauty, an abundance of happiness.''

This season's best fantasy dresses from Badgley Mischka include romantic gowns detailed with delicate crystal, beaded lace and even gilded glass.

Designer Carolina Herrera, who not only designs her own ready-to-wear collection, but a bridal collection as well, also gives moms plenty of choices when it comes to evening wear.

Herrera includes stretch chiffon dresses in soft shades of lavender or aquamarine, but topped off with a man-tailored jacket. This is a great alternative for moms who may not have quite the slinky slim and trim figures they had when they walked down the aisle as a young bride. The tailored look is an elegant approach when it comes to finding a dress that won't compete with the bride's ensemble. The suit is another modern-day choice for MOBs and MOGs. Ralph Lauren offers matching coats with his bias-cut sheaths in silk charmeuse. Bill Blass is another designer who has impeccable evening wear suits perfect for special occasions.

The jacket dress is still one of the most popular ensembles for wedding days and evenings. Designer Deborah Johnson sees gentle pastels for warm-weather weddings.

Her lightweight cashmere coat is paired with an unexpected iridescent ombre silk chiffon and cashmere empire waist dress with a tuxedo collar. Her soft suit features a crepe jacket with sculptured collar and pockets with iridescent buttons dyed to match. There are many places to shop for evening wear appropriate for a wedding. From department stores to specialty boutiques, it pays to look around and find a dress that uniquely suits you. This should not be just another thing on the ''to do'' list. Finding that special dress should be a priority. And this year, there should be plenty of ways to express yourself.

The subtle yet soft designs of spring and summer lend themselves to special occasions that include watching your son or daughter say, ''I do.'' Just remember that the dress you choose should flatter your figure and personality. With all the body-conscious silhouettes out there, it may take a little longer to find the perfect look. But it's well worth the extra hours of shopping. And it's a way to spend time with your daughter before she ties the knot.

But there are a few rules to remember, according to Bride's magazine. Avoid wearing all black or all white. And keep things in proportion. ''If the bride is wearing a slip dress, you'll want to keep things fairly simple,'' say the editors.

And what better day to make your fairy-tale dreams come true than on your son or daughter's wedding day. You might just rekindle a few of those dreams of your own and have the best ''mother's day'' ever.