I realized recently that I don't have a place on the interwebs where I chronicle my parasol collection.
How could I be so remiss?
My parasol collection has been the work of years, people have gifted me with vintage ones, and I have purchased quite a few for myself.
Here for you enlightenment is my parasol collection!
Modern
These ones are modern, in other words I bought them for myself from a vendor.
Black & Grey Lace
Technically an umbrella, this one folds so it packs well and it's pretty enough to also be a parasol.
It came from Amazon for $15. It's probably the most versatile piece in my collection.
Tenticular Paper Parasol
Strictly a parasol as this is made of waxed paper, I bought mine from Donna (the Alexia books' cover model) when she owned Clockwork Couture. It's now available other places online.
You can find it online for about $20.
I find I use it a lot because it goes with everything. It's got both brown and black in it, and it works for both a retro look and a steampunk look.
It doesn't, however, pack well. Although, for paper, it has been surprisingly resilient.
Blue Pattern Parasol
I, however, when I was looking for something cream really wanted something more embroidered and solid then lace, and really big and vintage looking.
Big Lace Parasol
I ended up with this one, again from lace Parasols online, which I have been really happy with over the years.
It now is priced at $45, I can't remember what I paid for it.
While quite beautiful, it is REALLY massive so I never travel with it.
Gold Lace Parasol
So I invested in this...
It's a cream and gold sunshade umbrella that folds very small and has it's own cute little container. I get a lot of compliments on it. It's one flaw is the inside is LINED in solid black, so it doesn't photo well when carried over the shoulder.
I found it on Amazon for $33.
Baby Parasols
I also bought this set of
three tiny parasols for $40. The smallest two I mostly use for decoration around the office, and for pretty photos with books.
The largest one, however, I would really love to find a way to add an extending folding handle. At various times, but particularly in the late 1880s, ladies carried very small parasols with very long handles. I'd love to make this into a cream version of that. (See the last parasol in my collection below.)
Vintage
1920s Double Brolly
For a girl who loves vintage and parasols, I only own two vintage parasols. They are so delicate it's hard to find nice ones that have survived in tact and are still reasonably priced.
This is, technically, and umbrella not a parasol. It has double lining
and a beautiful interior decoration with scalloped flutter edge. The
outside is plain black. It has a beautiful metal handle with an
ostentatious crystal. It's bent a little and somewhat sun bleached but
otherwise in pretty good condition.
This was a gift to me from one of my mother's dear friends. I'm not sure on the age but my best guess is 1920s.
Folding Parasol
My black tilt parasol. This is probubly late Edwardian and it isn't in great shape. It's black silk with ruffles an the silk is torn in multiple places. I basically just stopped it from tearing further with clear nail polish, the old nylon trick.
I see tilt parasols turn up on Etsy or at vintage fairs regularly, but because they are mostly silk from this time period, and silk is easily damaged by sun, they are almost always in disrepair. So be careful if you are looking to buy one.
Finally I also have this lovely mother of pearl pin, which was a gift from a reader. It means I can allude to the parasol, even if I am not actually carrying it!
Retro Rack is also on
facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
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