Warnocks

As a member of that harried legion of stressed out parents who must fork out for the expensive uniforms that schools usually require I have been to Warnocks a few times over the years. It can get pretty hectic upstairs here in the school uniform department at the peak time towards the end of the summer holidays but I have never found the staff anything other than highly organised, efficient and unflappable with sensible advice to offer on kitting out a grumpy teenager for school. Sometimes the young assistants have been at the schools in question themselves which is all good because there is no way that the delightful offspring will listen to mother! There is also a selection of school shoes, albeit unpopular with the nearest and dearest, and a men’s clothing department of downstairs.

Something has happened to Warnocks since I used to be dragged there by my mum for new school uniform. Of course that was quite a while ago. OK, a very long while ago.
Upstairs is still the land of the school uniform, with everything your offspring could need for all the main Belfast grammar schools. The bill quickly adds up when you’re buying uniforms so take advantage of the 10% off during July. You’ll miss the August rush too and anything which is too small by September can be exchanged. I can still feel the pain of paying £40 for a leather satchel.
Downstairs is where the transformation has taken place. Sadly they only do men’s clothes but what they do for men is really good. There’s a large range of Barbour coats, hats and scarves and every fashionista knows that Barbour is having a revival this year. They also have some lovely Lacoste knit wear which is what the husband goes for, Canali shirts and a casual label which I haven’t seen anywhere else — Paul and Shark.
Warnocks delivers old fashioned customer service where the staff will wan to see the garments on, advise on fit and maybe even take measurements. This can be a bit of a culture shock after the kind of service you get in most shops today where the staff studiously ignore you. Once you get used to it, you realise that they really will help you but what’s right for you.