Umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh.... - YouLookFab Forum

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Umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh....

Runcarla

Veteran

Normally this time of year I would be asking what are pedi nail colour trends, but it is way too cold - and RAINY to have 'toes out' up here on the 44th parallel! Instead, I'm going to ask you about your umbrella style!

I lost my favourite (navy blue plaid) umbrella during a train commute for work about 3 years ago. It was spendy ($35CA) when I got it in the late 90's but sturdy and different than most umbrella's. I replaced it with a good quality black collapsible umbrella that was easier to tote during my commute, but is kind of meh. Nowadays when I go out, DH brings one of his big golf umbrellas. DS#1 got a bespoke umbrella when he was in London 6 year ago that is a beauty (and has a story behind it).

How would you 'rate' your current umbrella? Does it 'spark joy' or serve a basic purpose?

#1 DS#1 bespoke brolly and my collapable
#2 DH's retired golf umbrella - that was His father's before
#3 another retired golf umbrella used for rainy days

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43 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Anonymous

I’m all about a good golf umbrella , although they aren’t exactly sidewalk friendly . I truthfully find umbrellas a pain in the —- and unless I’m really dressed up with somewhere to go , a hood on a jacket is just as good .

Kathie

Veteran

I recently got three new umbrellas- collapsible hot pink, a stick one in blue, and one of the inside-out ones, that’s black on the top (when unfolded) and a fun geometric print inside. They were bought for slightly different uses, and I love them all. The stick and inside-out were put through their paces at a windy, rainy soccer game today, and both held up fabulously. Posting from my phone right now, but I’ll add finds tomorrow.

ETA- finds added.

Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella with Teflon Coating (Multiple Colors Available)

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1

Sharpty Inverted Umbrella, Umbrella Windproof, Reverse Umbrella, Umbrellas for Women with UV Protection, Upside Down Umbrella with C-Shaped Handle

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2

totes Luggage Auto Wooden Stick, Steele Blue

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1

bj1111

Veteran

my mother loved giving umbrellas as travel souvenirs. i have a closetful.

agree with @lisap. they are a pain.

Sal

Veteran

I seem to have lost mine.

I usually like 2 - one large golf one in my son's school colours (black and red) and one collapsible one that fits in a tote. I use the first one the most for sideline viewing. I usually use a coat with a hood for walking.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Mine sparks joy. It’s a Missoni in brown and red tones. Gorgeous and sturdy. Collapsible.

I am thinking about getting a teal umbrella from Etsy this year.

taylor

Veteran

Yay Brooklyn !
Mine sparks joy too. It’s a Burberry in black with a leather handle and classic check underneath when opened . A Birthday gift years ago.
Also gorgeous, sturdy and collapsible!
Wouldn’t be without it !

Kate

Veteran

I'm in the 'they're a pain and I prefer a hood' group. That said, sometimes they do come in handy. I have an orange one I'm very fond of because a good friend gave it to me knowing how much I love orange. I have a collapsible one in a leopard print that I can toss into a bag when rain threatens and I don't want to take a raincoat with me.

karen13

Veteran

I realized on my fall NYC trip that I never carry an umbrella (precipitation is usually snow in my mountain climate and I have lots of Goretex hooded gear jackets for when it isn’t.) but that they are very practical for cities. So I’ve been on the lookout for a good travel collapsible. Haven’t found it yet.

Jane

Veteran

I am always conscious of my propensity to leave my umbrellas somewhere. I am generally very careful, but the combination of rain, wet bags, and all the grumpiness of commuters in the rain, means that I can lose track of what I put down and where on a train. So, for now I have Cath Kinston floral fold up, that sits neatly in my bag. I like a hood at the weekends though.

I am wondering if DS's bespoke brolly came from James Smith & Son?

rachylou

Veteran

I love my umbrella because it’s super lightweight but still long and pointy.

The Cat

Veteran

I want my umbrellas to:
● Be practical (so nowadays all mine are collapsible),
● Be inexpensive (as I tend to forget them at public places)
● Not look boring or depressing, as this is really not what I need near my face on a dark and rainy day (therefore no solid black--even at funerals I would prefer other neutrals, solid or patterned)
● Either match my outfit or be elegant neutral

At present, I own these six:
● Hot pink
● Purple
● Cobalt blue with silver grey lining
● Deep blue with tiny white polkadots
● Black & white geometrics
● Taupe tapestry pattern

StyleDetective

My umbrella is the el cheapo version of your husband's in no. 1. I also have a very plain navy collapsible that I can stash in my handbag if needed.

It rarely rains where I live, so I think it's not worthwhile for me to invest in something fabulous. If it rained more I definitely would though!

The Cat - I love the sound of your umbrella collection! My kind of colours and such fun prints.

Anonymous

I have a big beautiful artsy umbrella I got at the beach a couple years ago. It was spendy, but DH (who can't stand rain) said it would be an "investment" and we'd keep it forever. And when I look at it, it sparks joy.

But-I don't think I used it more than just that one day. I carry so much stuff for work, so don't have hands free...and they are a pain in the rump. So-firmly on team hooded raincoat!

Mainelady

Veteran

My umbrellas are functional, but boring in tan and gray. If the weather is wet, I often opt for a coat with a hood. I am now in search of a good looking bucket hat. I would love a really pretty umbrella, but suspect it wouldn’t get a lot of use. 90% of the time I need my hands free for tote bags, dog leashes or little hands.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I have and use a couple of black and gray compact umbrellas because I really prefer not to use a hat or hood unless it’s super cold or super sunny.

I’ve tied a colorful ribbon onto the hanging cord so I don’t lose or pick up the wrong one from church hall, meetings, or work (when I worked.) my favorite is the one which collapses the smallest, because I can fit into a small tote or my travel backpack.

I do like colorful ones, but also want to avoid drawing attention away from the rest of my “ensemble” which may have been (carefully?) planned.

Finally we have a sunny day, so no need for umbrella today!

SarahD8

Veteran

Mine is a strawberry thief print (#onbrand) on a navy background. Also purchased in London but not bespoke like your son's, Runcarla.

I really like it, though I've rarely used it. Don't do a ton of walking in the rain tbh and am more likely to rely on a hooded coat when I do.

Staysfit

Veteran

I currently have a golf sized “Michigan” umbrella that alternates Maize and Blue with a Maize “M”. It’s a little dangerous to carry around here, where there are so many college sports fans, but thankfully I don’t live in Ohio! I need it today because the forecast is for rain!

RobinF

Veteran

I'm also on team hood. So much easier to pull up a hood in the rain. We do have a huge one from Ikea that we keep in the trunk for lacrosse games or things like that where we will be outside for a length of time. I will say though, that part of my frustration with finding coats I like is that I require that hood.

Sisi

Veteran

Nice umbrellas! I like the green tartan one. At present I have a blue/dark grey tartan collapsible one, hand-me-down from a friend. Not my colours but oh well. Umbrellas, sunglasses, gloves - I buy super cheap ones and try not to get too fond of them, because I lose them all.

chouette22

Veteran

You always ask such fun questions, Runcarla!

I love my umbrella, a gift from my sister who serves on the steering committee of a Rose Festival in Switzerland. These umbrellas were custom made with automatic open/close function. Every time it rains, I think of her!

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Joy

Veteran

Some places get too much wind with rain that makes using an umbrellas hazard and you get wet anyway. My favorite has been a black with white polka dots bought in the rain outside a shop in Dublin. It got left in Ireland as I have had to stop for a luggage search too many times because of the way an umbrella looks on the x-ray machine monitor to ever travel with one. They are inexpensive to buy at the destination, then leave in an umbrella stand for someone else.

Bijou

Veteran

I am on Team Umbrella as an accessory.

My current collection is 3 umbrellas:
- Purple with a blossom border - it shows blossoms on the purple fabric when wet
- A white floral umbrella - with bright summer colours - fun on a gloomy day
- a red, black and white umbrella - a nice graphic print.

These are all quite sturdy and not collapsible, required because where I live it is windy and often less sturdy umbrellas get blown out.

JAileen

Veteran

Like Karen, I almost never use an umbrella. But I had a cute one from MOMA that was black on the outside, but blue sky and clouds on the inside. I think it broke.

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Runcarla

Veteran

A lot of hood love! I'm not a hood person, and remove them from my coats as soon as I can.

LOVE the 'art' umbrellas!

Jane - Yes! James Smith and Son! DS#1 went to London to participate in a sporting event. Knowing the reputation of the city he wondered about taking a brolly, but we didn't have a small/collapsible one at the time, so I suggested he pick one up once he arrived. Surely more selection in London than in our little town of Timmins? DS did a little research, located James Smith and Sons, and spent an interesting afternoon learning about umbrella construction and fitting. While he was trying to make a selection from some standard budget friendly versions, the clerk brought out a dark grey umbrella that had been custom made for a client. The client had decided to upgrade to a more expensive kit, and the store complied, but got left with a bespoke item that might be hard to sell.

When DS tried it (it needs to be tall enough to work as a walking stick, and your elbow needs to be at a certain angle when clasping the handle just so) the fit was perfect! DS is just over 6ft4in. Though still spendy, the clerk offered it for sale at a much reduced rate that DS couldn't resist. The shop included a special tube for transportation and all the documents DS needed to bring it home. DS used it first in London, though, and has used it regularly since.

Like Mainelady's experience with her Burburry trench, this was a very special sartorial shopping occaision that set the bar for memorable experiences.

Bonnie

Veteran

It doesn't rain often where I live and I usually make do with rain coat hoods when it does, but we do have a few umbrellas that are kept in the car. We've gone on trips in April without an umbrella and bought umbrellas when we arrived (Venice & London). They've become useful souvenirs that remind of of our travels.

Diana

Veteran

I have this one, and I love it. It's double layered, doesn't flip, and folds up small enough to fit in my bag. I bought it because it was the top rated umbrella by Wirecutter, and it did not disappoint. I love the blue sky print too.

Edit: I've never found a perfect combination of a hood that's big enough to prevent my glasses from getting splattered and that also stays on in the wind. The ones that cinch up close to your face don't blow off, but they don't protect my glasses enough.

Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella with Teflon Coating (Multiple Colors Available)

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5

Jules

Veteran

I had that MOMA umbrella and loved it, but someone took it from a shared vestibule area in a house I lived in.
I hate umbrellas because they seem pretty much disposable in quality these days. I have thrown out so many broken ones. And the good ones, which are generally not collapsible so I can’t stick them in a bag, I almost invariably lose. Thus I’m impressed people have accumulated so many working umbrellas!

kkards

Veteran

I've had expensive ones in the past....not sure that they were worth it...tried a golf umbrella, loved the coverage, but it was a pain to carry around....now I've got 2 cheap ones collapsible ones, black with polka dots, that I got at target. I keep one at my desk, and one in my car.

Jules

Veteran

Thanks for the link Diana, I might actually take a chance on that one despite my terrible history with umbrellas! I’ve had it in my mind to research quality options for a while but never got around to it. And I love the blue skies print as well

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