We don't hesitate to whip out our umbrellas at the show of the slightest drizzle. So why not choose one that is trendy, cool and fun? asks Meera Seshadri
Come rain, or a bit of blazing heat, you can find young fashion fiends making a splashing fashion statement, flaunting their fabulous designer umbrellas. Gone are the days when umbrellas served the utilitarian purpose of protecting one's head from lashing rains or the glaring sun. Today, with a barrage of umbrella varieties in the fashion market, this item has been bracketed among haute fashion accessories, along with handbags and footwear.
Of course, there are many conservative folks for whom the classic raven-black umbrella, though a tad unwieldy, scores over the other types. Remember the yesteryear Bollywood films, where the male and female protagonists, clung on to each other, waded through puddles of water in pouring rain, crooning to romantic numbers under wide-opened black umbrellas?
Says Saryu, a teenager, "According to me, carrying a black umbrella looks frumpish. These antiquated types are clearly not a part of our fashion terrain. I have a couple of umbrellas, which I try to co-coordinate with my cool and chic outfits like my stylish bouffant skirts, or sand-blasted, slim-fit jeans teamed with a sensuous tank-top!"
"My umbrellas are in monochromatic tones. I have one in lime yellow, sea-blue and lily-white. Among mono-hued umbrellas, the myrtle green, candy pink, cobalt blue are good palettes. The scintillating feature of these spiffy, stylish umbrellas is that they come handy even in sultry weather — to shield yourself from the scorching sun's rays", she adds.
Now, in case you aren't game for the aforesaid single-hued umbrellas, then go for those umbrellas with dual hues. Like the ones where the umbrella's white fabric strips are alternated with other coloured strips, such as yellow or sky-blue or algae green. You can also get rainbow-hued umbrellas with multiple colours, like the ones spotted on beaches.
Note: For a more distinctive look in umbrellas, opt for the square-shaped ones.
If you don't mind a bit of flamboyance, then bright palettes like red, orange, violet, with bold prints are the right choice for you. For a more outlandish effect, you can even pick up the ones with laces at the periphery. If you are looking for one with prints, have fun with graphic prints, bandhini prints, military prints, even traditional prints.
You also have neon and iridescent ones that light up in the evening with a glow-in-the-dark effect. The most popular ones are those with floral prints at the circumference area, forming lovely motifs.
Interestingly, in some Indian cultures, the bridal trousseau is only complete with a sequin and zardosi-embellished umbrella, which is gifted to the bride.
For the fabric, semi-silk material is used for those ornate flashes. Of course, these are customised ones. But if you are looking for a modest type, then opt for those white translucent ones, or even a polka-dotted one.
Umbrellas now come in the compact, portable form too, which are just half foot long, when folded. These umbrellas come in lovely designer cases. Some come fitted with a unique device to keep strong winds at bay.
Also available are designer umbrellas that have 'ribs' (hinged rods in the framework) in groovy-looking, intricate and interlocking patterns. Not to discount those kiddy umbrellas with images of cartoon characters, which look absolutely cute. For your tiny tots, you can get them an ultra small-sized umbrella, which could be strapped to their heads with the help of a flexible headband.
If you wish to trawl through the myriad varieties of umbrellas, your best bet would be to go shopping at Burma Bazaar, China Bazaar by the Majestic Bus Stand, or at the street stores in Malleshwaram, Bangalore .