2008 Newport New Spring Line
The only experience I have ever had with Newport News came when I was 14. I had just lost 60 pounds over the summer, and my collarbones were sticking out. I loved that my collarbones were sticking out, since it proved that I really truly wasn’t fat anymore. My mother was helping me shop for clothing for my new body, and I found this top – it was a Beverly Hillbillies top if ever there was one – that had straps over the shoulders and sleeves that puffed and came down on the upper arms. My mother refused to get that top, saying it would “go out of fashion too quickly.” So I never got the top. I also learned, given that the top was still available and marked as a bestseller the year I graduated from high school, that perhaps my mother’s fashion sense wasn’t terribly attuned to my own generation.
So now I look at Newport News with a slight sense of wariness, though completely undeserved. Even though I can say my mother was wrong, there’s always that part of you that never goes against your Mama, even if you have to choose between her or Abe Lincoln (OK, not a good choice there, either.) It’s unfair to Newport News. Especially since they’re one of those clothiers who have their uber-cute clothing in ALL sizes. Again, it’s not designed for plus and some of it just doesn’t work on plus, but some of it can. All of it has a slight Bohemian flair to it as well; it’s aimed at those with a romantic bent with poet blouses and crocheted gizmos along the way. Just stay away from the ruffled blouses. You all know what I think about those on us big girls.
With the relatively few fashion changes in the coming season, it’s super easy to spice up the wardrobe with just a few items. Tops are a great way to add variety to your wardrobe. I’m really digging this one:
This would NOT be an office top – the plunge of that neckline is way too deep to be appropriate. However, the surplice cut with the shirring in the wraparound is great on pears and rectangles, perhaps also for longer-waisted hourglass figures. Also, I love those sleeves – this is a puffy sleeve I can deal with!
For a variation on a theme, they also have this unusual mesh sleeve tee. Also NOT work appropriate:
Their new line doesn’t have a lot that comes in plus, but it’s in there. So, has anyone worn their stuff? How is it?