Dukey,

FYI I did know her dress size as she stated this info in her first post Size 12- 14. So there!!! Glad you loved it so much!

Another idea is so search the web sites for there is a plethora of gowns/dresses for Moms of the bride/grooms. It gives you many ideas. It saves you time as well. I am not suggesting ordering over the web just get ideas.

The rules are pretty simple really. Start with a garish color -- bright apricot is good, or maybe faded purple. Then make sure there is lots of detail -- like huge puffy sleeves. Add some back interest, a giant bow that looks like it was taken from a Christmas wreath at Rockefeller Center would be good. Then ruffles. . .lots and lots of them. Oh, wait a minute -- mother of the bride dress -- I thought you said bridesmaid dress.

Never mind.

Neo a great dash of humor.....ah, those bridesmaid dresses that make me look so special in my albums...

(IMHO, many of the "afters" on What Not to Wear look worse than they did "before" -- with too-tight, miscellaneous, and uncomfortable clothing, and too much make-up that might work for NYC but not a lot of other places. That's going to get me some flames, but all I'll concede is that the people who get made over always seem a lot happier, and there's a lot to be said for being forced to throw out everything in your closet once in a while.)

Mother of Groom: This business of worrying about upstaging the bride...good grief, get over it! It takes a lot to do that, given that everyone knows who the bride is and she's likely to be wearing a fairly distinctive outfit herself. I like to see the invitees looking good enough to make the whole wedding magic, and a lot of beige doesn't do that unless "naturals" are the color scheme. And assuming you are at least 20 yrs. older than the bride, you wouldn't be wearing club-hopping clothes anyway.

So bravo for not trying to look like the "usual" MOGs! Pick a subtle shade of your best color or even a pale water-color print, but just 'cause it's June doesn't mean you're required to wear pastels. Some people look absolutely smashing in gray, for example, assuming we're not talking polyester here. If you're going with a traditional MOG color, then have fun with the fabric -- doesn't have to be silk, faille, linen, or polyester, does it?

One more suggestion: a very basic, undetailed dress in a very basic color over which you have a sumptuous (but sure, keep the colors subtle) scarf/shawl/cape/jacket).

Hope you find the perfect thing in Soho -- please let us know.

1. What about Kleinfeld the bridal shop? I think they have a mother of the bride/groom section. but you may have to make an appointment. Check them out online first before wasing your time
2. I second Carmen Marc Valvo at Saks very tasteful line of clothes and how about Berdgdorfs?
3. Be very wary of the Bloomingdales in SoHo. I think it skews a little young and trendier than the one in midtown. I also tend to think that SoHo skews towards people who area a size 0 or 2.
4. Betsey Johnson might be an idea since it is a daytime wedding.
5. I would check out the UES. Clifford Michael is one name that is always associated with weddings particularly for mother of the bride type dresses. (I would guess the store to be East 60s and Madison) It advertises a lot in the New York Times.
6. Go to nymag.com and search their shopping guide for shops that might have appropriate clothing.
7. You might also pick up NY magazines wedding guide or thumb through it at Barnes and Noble to get an idea for stores, granted it is probably geared towards brides, but it may have some ideas.

Oh and go to Zara in SoHo on Broadway. It's a European chain that has a few locations in NYC. Some of the outfits may be in your size. The store has a constant turnover of items so it may not have spring items yet when you come to NYC, but depending on the wedding and your personal style, it may have something appropriate.

Oh I just thought of this - when I was in Soho a week or so ago I found a great shawl at Kinnu on 43 spring St - might not have things fancy enough for what you want for this - but you might want to check it out anyway if you like scarves/shawls and they had some interesting jackets.

You all are great, and NeoPatrick, that dress sounded so perfect, but alas you joke! I have noted all your suggestions and will go with list in hand. I love fabulous fabric and simple style, and if it happens to show up in a second hand store I'm delighted.
Thank you, Tiff. I have crossed white off my list....but maybe black and white stays. Utahtea your dress is stunning, and I may end up in black. A few years ago I attended a wedding where all the (very lucky) bridesmaids got to pick out their own black dresses and it looked spectacular when they walked down the aisle. Imagine actually owning a bridesmaid dress that sees the light of day again, not counting Halloween?
And last year Bloomies in Soho made me feel like I was 100, but they had an amazing sale on 4 ply cashmere sweaters, so I gritted my teeth and opened my wallet. Williamscb13.....the funny thing is, I have saved clothes from each decade (including my original Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses....that dates me!) and when I offer them to young friends and family for a special occasion, those who are size 2 and 4 fit nicely into what the old labels called 8 and 10. But I digress, and must get back to work, so thanks to you guys, I'm on my way! I'll let you know the final decision, but it might not be until the Spring lines appear.

OK the deed is done! After shopping 15 stores in three states I came up with an outfit. Designer is Shirin Guild.....an Iranian woman well known in England where she now resides. Found it at Saks! Black top with long sleeves, cropped short in front and irregular longer hem on sides and in back. White full pants. Both top and bottom were made of linen with metal which gave them body and held a crinkled look. Fortunately a cloud came over the sky, lowering the DC temps from 95 to 85, or I would have passed out!
BTW, everyone wore black and white, so I guess we're not a "beige" and show up family!
My daughter-in-law looked elegant and I have never seem my son look so happy!
It was a perfect day. Announcement was in NY times and thankfully they did not criticize what we wore.......I remember a time when they did just that. We were spared! Thank you all for your support!

Congratulations!

I own some Shirin Guild and LOVE it!! It's similar to the escandar line Neiman's carries for those familiar with one or the other. I'll bet you looked faabulous darling!