Okay. So over the last few weeks I, like another fantastic mommy blogger many of us know and love, have adopted a mom uniform, much to the chagrin of my husband.
Enter my J.Crew track pants.
Now, these bad johnnies have gotten me through two and a quarter first-trimesters in what I thought was a fairly non-imposing (meaning, not stylish but not frumpalicious either) manner. They're comfortable and the best part, they're long enough for my 35 inch inseam.
Do you know how hard it is to find track pants that are long enough?
I don't usually wear them out of the house, but I have, on occasion, made a trip to the grocery store wearing them paired with sneakers and a vest.
Look! They can be easily paired with an Argyle t-shirt! (That's hot this season. Ask Liz. She knows).
Okay. So they have an elastic waistband. But c'mon. Are you really looking at that or my cute 8-week pregnant belly? (On second thought, don't answer that. It's rhetorical).
So, if you think I should let my husband burn them, then feel free to say so. I'm a big girl. I can take it. But if you think that they're not so bad and you, by chance, have worn something worse (and have picture evidence to prove it that you will generously share on your blog... ahem), then speak now.
--
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I loved taking the survey. I'm a sucker for the quizzies. And that one was really interesting. I'd love to read her dissertation when she's finished. Very cool topic.
Posted by: Girl con Queso | February 29, 2008 at 12:40 AM
I wore my dh's..then he couldn't burn them.
Posted by: crunchy carpets | February 27, 2008 at 09:10 PM
There is nothing wrong with comfort. As long as they are clean and don't smell funky you are in the green. (I think I have that same argyle shirt by the way.) Hubs needs to chill out and let you have your comfort while you can, because in 4-5 months there is no comfort to be had. =D
Posted by: Erin Brown | February 27, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Your belly is adorable! Just get a pair in a new color. That will confuse him for awhile.
Posted by: Lotta | February 27, 2008 at 06:06 PM
So I wasn't sure how I felt about this whole sweat pants thing in general- but you do have two kids and another on the way. So I asked my husband, H. He says, "You have to mix it up a bit", otherwise he sides with Huz. He also added, "If she keeps it up she enters into the Mr. Mom realm. You know the part in the movie where he wears the same flannel shirt and jeans and grows a monster beard. I'm just sayin.."
So there you go.
Posted by: Vicky | February 27, 2008 at 02:18 PM
For NaBloPoMo I did a whole set on "tell me what not to wear." I put up most of my wardrobe.
Also, the elastic waste stuff *does* fit better and look more flattering than the half-a-size-too-small-because-I'm-barely-pregnant slacks.
Posted by: dinky | February 27, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I was strangely comforted when I realized that what I'd been wearing for months on end could be identified as something . . .my mommy uniform. However the opposite side to my mommy garb is my 'nice outfit.' My one set of clothes that I've deemed socially acceptable (debatable I'm sure) - also a uniform. argh.
Posted by: katy | February 27, 2008 at 01:02 AM
pants: fine
shirt: also fine
together: not so fine.
Posted by: Brenna | February 27, 2008 at 12:30 AM
what? congrats!! damn it, this is what I get for taking my time coming around to visit.
and sweats are comfortable! 3rd only to yoga pants and pj pants, which don't survive expanding bellies quite so well and are completely unsuitable for public consumption.
Posted by: jenn | February 26, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Nothing wrong with those pants. Unless I'm going out for a night on the town with my husband, you won't catch me in anything dressier than a t-shirt and old jeans. And at home I spend most of my time in an old sweatshirt and yoga pants.
Posted by: Christina | February 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Your pants are far better than my current comfy maternity pants.
My husband knows better than to say anything. Seriously.
Because I work outside of the home I can't wear super comfy clothes to work, and I have taken to keeping my clothes together with safety pins. You do what works.
But I'm not crazy enough to post pictures on my blog!
Posted by: Laural | February 26, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Seriously?
You're pregnant, and have two small children. As far as I'm concerned, you should wear whatever you're comfortable in and the Huz can suck it.
Besides, if he's so concerned about your fashion sense, he can watch the kids for a full day or two while you shop. No?
Well, then, commence to sucking it, Mister.
Posted by: Lauren | February 26, 2008 at 03:49 PM
My pants look eerily similar to your pants.
My husband loves them. He likes to have um, easy access. If you know what I mean. Wink, wink.
Posted by: Redneck Mommy | February 26, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Compromise? He doesn't throw out your comfy clothes and you won't throw out his beloved vaccum.
Posted by: Lisa | February 26, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Hey! Your friend is in Portland! So am I. I'll touch base with her.
Posted by: submommy | February 26, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Proof once again that we're not cool, it's the picks that are cool.
(Although two thumbs up on the argyle tee!)
Posted by: Mom101 | February 26, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Am I the only one who is totally jealous of that cute belly? My belly looks like the Pillsbury Dough Boy's.
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | February 26, 2008 at 02:35 PM
OK- if you're wearing JCrew, you are doing much better than me. I long for the day I can fit back into my bootleg yoga pants from Gap- then I will be stylin'. For now it's Target or Old Navy sweats that I've worn thru pregnancy and beyond. And I understand the argyle tshirt that no one seems to get....
Your belly looks great- I've had 2, and mine is a wrinkled mess of floppy skin with a blown out belly button. Also, consider yourself lucky to have those long legs- at the opposite end with a 28-29" inseam, I am SO jealous.
And, yes. I leave the house almost every day in my heinous-looking ensembles.
Posted by: emily | February 26, 2008 at 02:24 PM
If you don't touch my Crocs - I won't touch your track pants.
And - why don't you buy another pair for more variety?
Posted by: Jen | February 26, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Keep 'em.
Kinda like the big beige granny panties that DH hates. I wear 'em with pride.
And, when I was pg, I wore cropped track pants almost daily. I took them off long enough to wash them every 3 or 4 days. (should I have admitted that?)
Posted by: submommy | February 26, 2008 at 01:25 PM
I say keep them, although I rarely wear track pants outside of the house myself. Maternity clothes are so expensive why buy any more than you have to?
Posted by: Heather | February 26, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Keep them and love them for as long as they last.
Everyday when I get home from work, I change into my favorite sweatpants (which are starting to fall apart) or track/yoga pants. Okay, sometimes I go right into PJ pants.
I will try to take pics tonight to post tomorrow. I love those sweatpants and will cry when they disintegrate... which will happen any day now. My hubby does not complain about them, and I don't complain about his favorite raggedy T-shirts.
Posted by: caramama | February 26, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I am not pregnant. I have not been pregnant for three and a half years now. But I wear track pants at least twice a week.
(Hey, I used to be a pretty good distance runner on the high school track team . . .)
So I have nothing to say about your track pants. But, the argyle vest plus track pants combo? Um. No. Track pants are worn with sporty tees. And perhaps a matching hoodie, if it's cold outside.
Posted by: jaelithe | February 26, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I've worn some frumpy things in my day. I just never take any photos of me in them. Well, I could take a photo of me in my current attire of paint splattered pants and t-shirt. ;)
I say, keep the pants. Tell the huz to shut it. :D heh.
Posted by: Dana | February 26, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I'm not pregnant..I'm just fat..and I love love love the track pant sets. Get thee to JcPenny or Kohls and get a set that matches and maybe hubby won't have such a problem
Posted by: Luann | February 26, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Keep em! But if he's sick of looking at them buy another pair in a new color. ;) I was VERY in the uniform look for my pg. In fact I was SO in uniform I went ahead and did all my belly pics in the same outfit. Those pants and that shirt lasted the whole pg (and don't tell, but I STILL wear them occasionally, just with a long shirt. Elastic is awesome!
See here for a blog post:
http://tinyurl.com/39vqjf
or here for the whole row of pics:
http://tinyurl.com/3alcaf
Posted by: Angela | February 26, 2008 at 10:53 AM
i heart the mommy uniform - keep em!! but may i ask where in the world you found track pants w/ a 35 inch inseam?? tall girls must stick together!!
Posted by: amanda | February 26, 2008 at 10:18 AM
When I was pregnant I wore track and yoga pants all the time. My youngest is 4 and I still wear them every now and then. Who cares? When your preggers, if it fits and its comfy, you wear it.
Posted by: LB | February 26, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Keep the pants! It is not easy to find things that you are comfortable wearing when your pregnant, especially that is long enough. I think they believe that when your belly blossoms your legs shorten.
Posted by: Jessica | February 26, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Considering that at this moment, I'm wearing red pajama pants with snow flakes with a non-matching blue night shirt with stars and moons on it, I think your track pants are perfect acceptable.
Posted by: Kaely | February 26, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Track pants are my thing. I have at least 8 pairs in all sorts of colors, fabrics and styles. I top it off with a hoodie. It is my mommy uniform and I do not plan on changing it anytime soon.
By the way, I am delurking today. I love your blog.
Posted by: mamikaze | February 26, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Way better than my mom sweatpants. But I'm curious...what does the huz think you should be wearing instead?
Posted by: m | February 26, 2008 at 09:32 AM
35 inch inseam. Jesus. I'm barely 35 inches from head to toe.
Also, A SURVEY! Oh, OKAY.
Posted by: Tessie | February 26, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Oh, and you might want to check out this Flickr group, I dress like a slob every day-
http://www.flickr.com/groups/slobsrule/
Posted by: House frau | February 26, 2008 at 09:24 AM
If you don't have a job outside the home, what is the problem with track pants?! I wear them every day (outside the house, GASP!!), except mine aren't even as fashionable as J Crew, I usually wear Old Navy yoga pants or even Prospirit brand from Target. At 16 weeks pregnant who gives a shit! They fit my growing belly!
Posted by: House frau | February 26, 2008 at 09:22 AM
I haven't been pregnant in 6 1/2 years & I still wear track pants. Actaully, I wear full on track suits... and not just around the house. I've been known to take trips to the store, kids school, heck... just about anywhere while wearing them! What can I say? I'm a stay at home mom & they are comfy!!
Posted by: Lisa | February 26, 2008 at 08:48 AM
It's not a sweater or a vest.
It's a t-shirt :)
Posted by: Motherhood Uncensored | February 26, 2008 at 08:40 AM
We took a picture for you Kristin. Not only are my pants torn and inside out, my husband had to ask me to conceal my my pubes before clicking the camera. Your pants are the hight of fashion compared to mine. http://fatgoldwatch.blogspot.com/2008/02/mom-uniform.html
Posted by: melissa warren | February 26, 2008 at 08:37 AM
28 months of wearing the uniform - I can count on one hand the number of times I haven't worn in the past 2.5 years. For real.
Argyle is so bert and ernie. That's a good thing.
Posted by: motherbumper | February 26, 2008 at 08:03 AM
I thought all pants had elastic waists. What? They don't?
I give you complete permission to wear those anywhere and everywhere. Don't you get bonus points since they are from JCrew?
On the other hand, I'm not sure about the pants with the sweater. It's like the sweater is TOO nice and you forgot to change your pants. Definitely go t-shirt with hooded sweatshirt for the full on mom-iform.
Posted by: Monica | February 26, 2008 at 07:49 AM
When you're in the first trimester (and second and third trimesters, too) crazies, it's whatever gets you through the day, as far as I'm concerned. Comfort is of the utmost priority. Any discomfort from the waistline of my pants in the first trimester and I was losing my lunch/breakfast/dinner. I would have given the hubs the option of cleaning up puke or letting me keep the pants. :)
Posted by: Shannon | February 26, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Well, I don't have any pictures but when I was pregnant with one of mine, I wore (I kid you not),a pair of DH's knit boxer shorts as REGULAR clothes! I'm horrified to think I wore them in public thinking no one would know they weren't actually 'real' shorts, but desperate times called for desperate measures. I was so sick and could stand anything touching my belly. There were so soft and could be worn low (this was before they created under the belly pants), but yes, they were faded, bagged-out underwear. So coming from me, I think those track pants look fabulous! It's so hard to find comfy things to wear when pregnant, especially in the beginning and when you can't stand anything snug on the stomach. I say, go buy a few more pairs for variety!
Posted by: blairzoo | February 26, 2008 at 07:40 AM
I think track pants are perfectly fine for around the house, even when NOT pregnant! Leaving the house, though, is another story. However, now that I am currently in my third trimester with daughter #2, I seriously consider leaving the house in my own sweatpants from time to time. I mean, how different is it really from jeans with an elastic panel? I am sure my day will come!
Posted by: Erin | February 26, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Dude.
I've got so many pictures of me in my 'uniform.' lmfao. The Man also would LOVE to burn it in effigy.
HAHAHA!
Posted by: the new girl | February 26, 2008 at 07:33 AM
With the rapidly changing size of your abdomen over the upcoming months, elastic waistbands are the only thing that make sense, IMHO.
My wife did the same thing when she was pregnant with our daughter (although not with an argyle vest... that MAY be pushing it a little).
Posted by: SciFi Dad | February 26, 2008 at 07:17 AM