It is usual for visitors to Northern Ireland
to comment with surprise on the number of excellent fashion shops.
Perhaps because the further away from the world’s couture capitals,
such as London and Paris, the further one should get from that level
of style and choice. Wrong. Northern Ireland has one of the highest
levels of disposable income in the UK and that is reflected by the
purchasing power and consequent levels of consumer sophistication.
A fact that is not lost on Britain’s fashion houses and large
brand name High Street stores. In recent years there has been a
noticeable number of new names joining the existing high quality
shops to the extent that prices and choice in Belfast, can match,
and usually beat, most cities throughout Britain.
This gives the visitor a wonderful excuse to do more than just gift
shopping. Within Belfast city centre, the choice of where to go
shopping is happily quite difficult, as there are a plethora of
beautifully stocked shops. Some have long standing reputations of
excellence with reliable some names worth a visit for both male
and female fashion. Some examples for females are Jaeger
in Royal Avenue, Reger, Wellington Place, Rio/Brazil,
Bradbury Place, Nora Bradley, Howard Street,
Petal, Donegall Square North, and Betty Barclay
in Castlecourt.
There are several top class jewellers who provide an excellent choice
for gifts – or for yourself. Lunns in the Queen's
Arcade off Donegall Place and Lunns II in Royal Avenue
are local names, and a unique jewellery store is The Steenson's
in Howard Street who specialise in custom designed individual
pieces made at their workshops in Glenarm Co.Antrim. Their Belfast
shop also includes other designer pieces and experienced consulting
staff can explain commissing work. Malcolm's Chichester
Street is another good example of quality city jewellers. Bag
'n' Baggage, 88 Botanic Avenue, is a leading leathergoods
shop that can supply everything from luggage to handbags. Small
leathergoods make the ideal holiday gift or souvenir.
