With the Emmys fast approaching, daytime's leading ladies are faced with a tough question: What to wear? Just ask Lead Actress nominee Bobbie Eakes (Krystal, ALL MY CHILDREN).

"I went shopping in New York," said Eakes in early April. "It was a good start, but I might continue to look. I'm such a procrastinator. I went to somebody I was not familiar with: Heidi Wiesel. I don’t like trying on clothes in stores, but it's a little different when you go to a designer and they have everything there. They really take care of you. The first dress I tried on I really liked, although I want to see it in a different color."

Speaking of colors, there is no telling what shade Eakes will wear on Emmy night. "I never rule out colors. Some people say, 'I'll never wear orange or yellow.' I wear everything! Whether it looks good on me, I don't know."

One thing she does know: "I have to be comfortable. The Emmys are early this year, so I'm going to start getting ready around noon. The red carpet starts at 3 p.m., so I want to give myself three hours to leisurely get ready, eat lunch and visit with my makeup artist, who used to do me on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. It's going to be a long night."

And an exciting one, especially since this is Eakes' first nomination. The actress admits the nod does add a little pressure to find the perfect dress. "You know for sure that you'll probably get a shot in the audience at the very least," she laughs. "I'm going to see a lot of designers, but I'm not going to be pressured into wearing something, either. If I find something that is inexpensive, that I like and is comfortable, then I'll wear it, like a couple of years ago." Eakes found a stunning gold dress (right), at a small shop in New York City for less than $200. "I'm going to leave all my options open."

The actress is also counting on good advice from someone special. "Hopefully, my husband will be able to give me his two cents," grins Eakes. "He has a pretty good eye."

Eakes isn't the only AMC lady getting ready for the big event. On her first Daytime Emmy night, look for Connie Fletcher (Erin) to arrive in a beautiful Monica Byrne (www.monicabyrne.com) gown.

"Connie looked at a wide range of dresses, from knee- to floor-length, and from pale pink to bright green," shares Byrne. "She knew just what worked best to highlight her skin, look sophisticated yet still show off her youth. We ended up choosing a long-tiered chiffon gown in pale tones to show off her beautiful coloring."

Byrne is no stranger to dressing soap ladies. "I love working with the daytime actresses," she exclaimed. "They usually have a very developed sense of personal style and appreciate fine fabrics and tailoring."

AMC's mini-fashionista Leven Rambin (Lily) wore one of Byrne's dresses to a nominees' dinner on April 3 (right). "Dressing Leven was such a pleasure," raved Byrne. "She is so down-to-earth and easy-going. Everything looks great on her."

And her Emmy dress? "I'm so excited," beamed Rambin, who planned to travel to Los Angeles to shop. "I'm going to try a lot of different things before deciding."

To see what Bobbie, Connie and Leven (as well as all your other favorite daytimers) wear while strolling down the red carpet, watch the 2006 Daytime Emmy Awards on ABC at 8 p.m. April 28.

Will there be a lot of hits or tons of misses? You decide!