Mother-of-the-bride fashion advice

#1. It must be regal. On her wedding day, a bride transforms into a princess. That makes mom a queen, and her dress has to be fit for one.
#2. It must be comfortable. Mom needs to be able to dance, walk, wave, greet, and MOVE all day. She needs a dress that is functional and will go the distance.
#3. It must coordinate. Mom plays a prominent role in the ceremony and is front and center in most of the photos. A bride puts intense thought into her color palette, so it's crucial that mom look well with the bridal party and acknowledge the bride's colors in her dress. Perfect example: Laura Bush wearing Oscar de la Renta in Jenna's chosen jewel tones.
#4. It MUST NOT look like an old lady's dress. Mom wants to look elegant, not elderly. Gone are the days of matronly suits and dowdy separates. We now have many options and a multitude of sophisticated silhouettes for the modern Mother of the Bride.

Ok, now where-oh-where do we find such perfection?

I suggest getting your feet wet at the usual suspects (Nordstrom and Macy's) before getting serious on the Eastside, first at La Belle Reve and finally at Moms, Maids, and More, a Bellevue boutique specializing in bridal party formal wear.

Moms, Maids, and More has, hands down!, the area's greatest selection of MOTB gowns in a multitude of styles, colors, and fabrics (they were voted 'Best Flower Girl Dresses' by Seattle Bride Magazine in 2007 and Editor's Choice for 'Best Mother of the Bride Apparel'). I almost always strike gold there, and you probably will, too.

HINT: before you go, I recommend doing a little preliminary online shopping at Brides.com. Bring photos of looks that you like to help the sales people guide you in the right direction. And don't forget to make an appointment, especially if you go on a weekend.