Celebrating the Joys of Spring

Spring is the start of occasionwear season in our calendar, and we can bet they’ve already received a few party invitations to add to theirs. And just like the flowers popping up in the garden, our collection is blooming with beautiful details that are sure to make their outfit feel extra special. Now, when it comes to adding interest to an outfit, it's not always about sequined embellishments (although we do have a penchant for a bit of sparkle). In fact, you can create real impact with intricate fabric techniques like broderie anglaise, cutwork and guipure lace. Brands including Self-Portrait, Tartine et Chocolat and Petite Amalie have all embraced these details in their spring collections, decorating everything from dresses and skirts to tops. For a special occasion — we’re thinking maybe a wedding reception or an al fresco soirée — this pink linen dress from Petite Amalie with its statement cutwork collar will fit the dress code perfectly. If the party is more of the bouncy-castle-and-birthday-cake kind, then Patachou’s matching shorts set with its broderie anglaise-style flowers is the ideal mix of pretty and practical.

"Spring is when my birthday is. I get all my friends around for my birthday and we all eat lots of cake."

Milo, Aged 7

Is there any better feeling than getting out in the garden after a long winter and embracing the warmer weather? The first sight of tulips, snowdrops and crocuses usually marks the beginning of the season, and the same goes for our new spring collections, which are bursting with beautiful floral prints. For the littlest ones, this adorable shortie from French designer Tartine et Chocolat is as cute as can be. It is decorated with a delicate Liberty print in multicoloured flowers, and if you zoom right in you’ll also see hand-smocked detailing on the neckline and little ruffled sleeves. And if the weather does turn a bit chilly, then popping our embroidered Beatrice & George cardigan on top will only add to the interest. For girls, florals are elevated with soft colour palettes, as seen in the sweet meadow flowers of this lace-trimmed dress from Patachou, Etro’s woven jacquard roses and Irpa’s dreamy daisy-chain motif. And floral prints aren’t just for girls! These stylish shirts from Mayoral and Bonpoint are a great way to add some pattern to his look too.

“I love spring because you see lots of flowers. My favourite flowers are daffodils; I like it when the bees land on them to make their honey.”

Sophie, Aged 5

Nothing says spring dressing quite like stripes. Add to that a perfectly placed bow or two and they’ve got themselves a mini wardrobe that is ready for the season ahead. Boys get an uplifting choice for both special occasions and the everyday, including our Beatrice & George suit set with its preppy jacket and the addition of a matching bow tie, and we love this standout shirt by Laranjinha with its painterly candy-hued stripes which will look great teamed with shorts or jeans. Girls will adore our new designer Etro’s gorgeous linen dress, which is going straight to the top of our wish list — in fact, we'd quite like it in our size! The mixture of vertical and horizontal stripes gives it real dimension and the chic dropped waist creates a comfortable silhouette. And for a party, Hucklebones London’s sweet shift dress with its statement glittery bow is sure to stand out. Plus, it’s been designed exclusively for Childrensalon, which means you won’t find it anywhere else.

“We love spring because we can go outdoors and play in the garden. Our dog, Toby, loves chasing the ball in the middle of our game.”

Max and Luca, Aged 7 and 10

To set the scene for spring, our friend Hester van Overbeek and her daughter Kiki are here with a fun craft activity that the whole family can enjoy.

Kiki and her furry sidekick, Kermit, show us how to create these beautiful floral eggs — they make a thoughtful Easter gift or look lovely simply dotted around the house. Don't forget to share their egg-cellent creations with us on Instagram @childrensalon.

You will need: eggs, a pin, a straw, a bowl, a selection of dried flowers and petals, a paintbrush, glue varnish (Hester recommends Mod Podge Matte).

Step 1: Start by piercing a small hole in the top and bottom of your egg with your pin. It helps to leave the eggs in their box for this part.

Step 2: Using the pin, carefully wiggle it around to make the bottom hole slightly larger. Be careful not to crack your egg!

Step 3: Place the straw over the smaller hole and, taking a big breath, blow out the contents of the egg into a bowl and save them for later. Kiki recommends using them to bake a cake!

Step 4: It's time to get creative! Apply a thin layer of the glue varnish all over the egg then arrange your flowers and petals in any pattern you like.

Step 5: Seal them in place with another thin layer of the glue varnish and leave them to dry. Don’t worry if it appears white at first, it will dry clear. And there you have it, your own exquisite floral egg to display with pride.