Stylebook
Spring Summer ‘20
“There is absolutely no way a woman can be considered fashionably dressed wearing a beautiful outfit with an ill-fitting handbag.”
- Kristi Smith
Point of View
Perhaps the biggest fashion booster is wearing a gorgeous handbag. The feeling of confidence they bring takes any look to the next level. Every woman needs something unique from her bag. An outside pocket, heavily structured, slouchy, crossbody or shoulder bag, daytime or evening. The devil is in the details.
The Sweet William woman switches her shoes and bags from day to night. We believe accessories make or break an outfit. For the woman with a big social calendar, the need for evening bags might be even greater. If that’s the case, we demand iconic pieces! Whether you’re going for luxury, style or comfort, we look past practical to find accessories which unify functionality and style. Accessories make every outfit better.
Your special accessory should be the pièce de résistance of your outfit. Whether it is a knockout handbag, a stunning piece of jewelry or a killer shoe, the right accessory transforms. We invite you to explore your approach to handbags in this season’s Girl Talk and come see us for your next iconic statement.
Market Days
New York, New York
New York in the fall is a sight to behold. We are always inspired by the city’s sense of style and this trip was no exception.
After ascending the The Met’s grand staircase, we arrived to take in “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp’” framed the exhibit, declaring camp “the love of the exaggerated, the ‘off,’ of things-being-what-they-are-not.”
Needless to say, we loved the bold use of color, exaggerated statement pieces, and how to take what not to wear and make it work in our everyday lives. We used the exhibit’s intersection of fashion, art and pop culture as inspiration for curating Sweet William’s Spring season.
It was a treat having our tailor, Renata, along for her first buying trip, which was her first real trip to the Big Apple. We visited the chic Brunello Cucinelli showroom and the sunlit warehouse showroom of Dorothee Schumacher. We took her to some of our favorite restaurants, explored the fashion district and walked The High Line to the interactive centerpiece of Hudson Yards, Vessel.
“You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.”
— Edith Head
New Lines
Spring Summer 2020
Proenza Schouler
Proenza Schouler was founded in 2002 by designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The duo has been reinvigorating American fashion. The New York based womenswear and accessories brand fuses craftsmanship with attention to detail. Their PS1 and Buckle bags
are no exception. For a versatile, everday statement piece, the suede and calfskin tote is perfect. If you’re needing a little pop, the red pochette in grainy leather brings color and texture.
Rodo
Rodo has been creating refined shoes, bags and accessories since 1956. They merge traditional Italian heritage with a future-focused approach to craftsmanship. The family-owned brand exudes style and elegance while remaining suitable for parties to weddings to picnics. Their line has something for every occasion, including bags that seamlessly transition from day to night. Whether you’re looking to pair skirts with modern leather heels or simple denim slides, Rodo’s classic pieces stay chic even in the heat.
Sundays
Sundays embodies an expression of effortless style.
Founder Julie Marder creates elevated staples that give women a natural confidence. Sundays offers timeless pieces made from high-quality, breezy fabrics. Their signature floral patterns evokes a subtle femininity. Their dresses and mixed separates create looks that last for years to come.
Ramy Brook
Founded in 2010 and based in New York City, Ramy Brook is a contemporary womenswear brand designed for a woman by a woman. Through Ramy’s signature use of silk fabrics, lively colors, and sophisticated silhouettes, the collection is meant to be a day-to-night solution in a woman’s wardrobe.
Top Trends
Perfect Pastels
With Spring arriving and Summer around the corner, its time to lighten things up. The easiest way to serve a warm vibe is to bring this season’s shades of choice: beige, pink and lilac. The tones range from warm and earthy, as seen on the Mackage leather jacket in sand to light and floral, as seen on the lilac pants from Proenza Schouler White Label. Brunello Cucinelli open knit sweater adds texture to the light colorway while Veronica Beard’s 90’s-inspired shades breathe new life into matching sets.
Floral Prints
When you think of Spring, you think of flowers. This season the florals are bold and graphic with a feminine touch. Since florals are a classic choice, our lines offer a variety of textures to compliment your wardrobe. XiRENA brings textural linen flower prints while Avant Toi has painted silk jackets with painted florals. Dorothee Schumacher is doing printed separates, which you can wear together or mix-and-match with other pieces from your wardrobe.
Longer Lengths
This season’s go-to dresses come in super versatile longer lengths. Jason Wu’s simple silhouettes and mid-calf lengths transition seamlessly from day to night. Ulla Johnson’s offers a more light-hearted approach while Seventy keeps it classic with flowy cotton sundresses in white or black eyelet. Pair your choice with tall boots or slide sandals and you’ll be easy breezy.
Squared-off Sandals
After wearing boots all winter, nothing says Spring like breaking out fresh sandals. Use this opportunity to be the first to rock this season’s new trend: squared-off toes. If you want to take things up a notch, consider Kennel & Schmenger’s suede buckle slides or snakeskin kitten heels. If you’re needing versatile glamour, look to AGL’s snakeskin slides or Pedro Garcia’s nude strappy stilletos. For casual flats, shinny Brunello Cucinelli’s and fringed Dorothee Schumacher’s are perfect additions. No matter how you wear it, the squared-off toe trend will elevate
any outfit.
Polo Collars
Polo collars are emerging as a fun, sporty detail that transforms classic pieces. Elevate slacks or jeans with our black Proenza Schouler short-sleeve sweater. If you’re looking for bolder details, the striped accents on Veronica Beard’s navy pointed polo collar serves a modern color-block look. If you need to run out the door, Kal Reiman is perfect with a striped, collared dress in a classic silhouette.
Casual Elegance
An overarching trend for this season is casual elegance. Since we’ll be outside this summer, sun protection is important, but not at the expense of fashion. We’ve selected some classics that can be easily dressed up or down.
If you’re looking for daytime elegance, pair earth toned Gi ‘n Gi hats with casual, classic white pieces like Seventy’s beaded star tee. Peserico’s white runner or AGL’s navy sneaker are the embodiment of casual elegance. JADEtribe’s orange tassel tote takes the whole look from brunch to the beach.
If your wardrobe demands casual transitions or nighttime elegance, pair woven textures with bold prints. Gi ‘n Gi’s navy with white woven hats come in checkered or striped. Layer Proenza Schouler White Label‘s classic tops, dresses and tees. Woven accents like JADEtribe’s burnt sienna circle bag or Robert Clergerie’s raffia slides really set things off. If sandals aren’t your thing, Officine Creative’s square-toed suede boot is a versatile, all-season favorite.
“Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them.”
— Marc Jacobs
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