Henry Ford once described his Model T as available in any color so long as it was black, and much the same can be said for the canopy of a man's umbrella. Oh, there are colored canopies available, and some of them are even appropriate for golf (though I have never understood how to reconcile the golf umbrella with the prohibition against carrying umbrellas in the country). They can also be very nice when carried by a female, umbrellas with colored canopies that is, but for a man anything other than black is A Step Too Far.
I think that the black umbrella does make aesthetic sense, since umbrellas are carried only in the city. The black canopy complements city clothing in gray and blue, and is consistent with the color of the sky when it rains which keeps it in line with the good practice of wearing or carrying things with a palette that complements the environs and the season.
Now when it comes to choosing an umbrella, there are only a few choices, those being the inexpensive sort that blow out at the first gust of wind and the expensive kind from one of the handful of renowned makers (among them Thomas Brigg and James Smith in London and Talarico in Naples) that will usually survive two or three gusts before turning themselves inside out (the exception being the ten rib umbrella, a design so strong that it threatens to lift the person carrying it a la Mary Poppins).
Ten ribs or eight, the other thing that determines the sturdiness of an umbrella is whether the shaft is a single piece or not. Umbrellas made from a single piece of wood are as strong as a walking stick and can be used as one. Unfortunately, that construction precludes two of what are considered the best types of handles, those being Malacca and whangee.
Since all canopies are black save for those carried by the unfortunate patrons of certain Italian umbrella shops that shall remain nameless here, the principal way to differentiate one umbrella from another has been the handle and, to a lesser extent, the shaft. Various hardwoods are used along with the occasional silver plate but the aforesaid Malacca and whangee are usually considered the crème de la crème. Whangee is nothing more than the root of a type of bamboo, and very distinctive looking indeed, while Malacca is a species of rattan that has been referred to as the King of Canes (the handle of the umbrella in the photo is Malacca). Unfortunately neither of them is useful for the umbrella shaft and all umbrellas with Malacca or whangee handles have separate shafts, which slightly weakens the construction proving once again that nothing is perfect.
These meanderings would be incomplete without mentioning that in certain very strict circles the umbrella is carried but never unfurled, a prohibition that strikes me as somewhat unclear on the concept. But then few things about the umbrella are entirely logical (see, for example, How to Carry an Umbrella).
Just be certain your canopy is black.
Photo: Sterling & Burke
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19 comments:
Will, first I have heard about the country. What do you do in the country if it is raining sideways and you have to take a walk?
Thanks,
Jim
You wear a hat!
all mine (sab, smith, etc...) are dark blue. i prefer not to view a walk in the city as a funeral procession.
This ban on umbrellas in the country should be consigned to the scrapheap of history. I no more wish to be wet in the country than I do in the city.
http://davekny.com/umbrellas_golf.htm
I bought the above about a year ago. In all black of course, and am very happy with it. The double canopy holds up well in gusty winds. Even though it's dubbed a 'golf' umbrella buying it in all black has lead to nothing but compliments. It's also large enough to hold the significant other and I underneath.
Some of us would say the same thing about the choice of shoe colour to wear in the office, i.e., anything as long as it's black!
I second and third those wondering what to do when it rains on a country walk. I use an umbrella with a dark green canopy and wooden shaft.
Walking through the countryside in only a hat in the rain will leave anyone saturated and basically gets one wetter than necessary; especially here in Northern Europe. An umbrella is not just a fashion item it's also a practical item.
I've carried a black Mallaca SAB (purchased at Cable Car here in SF) for over 20 years. It always seemed a bit formal when dressed below the level of a suit or sport coat. I decided to do something about it last year and purchased a navy chestnut umbrella. I now use this whenever I'm in more casual clothing, especially in suburbia (even if that's less built-up areas of SF), and am happy with the decision.
Silk or Nylon canopy?
One thing you forgot to mention is that a one piece shaft and handle results in a thicker umbrella whereas a whangee with a steel shaft has a more pleasing (to me) slimline look.
Could not agree more with Laguna Beach Fogey's comment. As most country pursuits of the country man in severe rain, like hunting, shooting, riding etc. necessitate the use of both hands, an umbrella is useless anyway or even dangerous, and this led to the development of less elegant but practical country gear to counteract the rain, e.g. Barbours, Veldtshoen, Norfolks, Macs and others. And indeed, Will, the hat. For mobility in severe country rain a vehicle is helpful.
You mention Talarico, but in the next breath talk about an Italian umbrella shop that must remain nameless which makes their umbrellas with coloured canopies. Inconsistent, no?
By naming Talarico I exclude them from the nameless Italians....
I agree Will black is best although I do remember seeing a purple Ostrich leather umbrella in Harrods once. It was a little out of my price range at £35,000.
Lots of colorful umbrellas at Talarico though, Will. They have a much better selection of elegant colour combinations than the English makers, for people who like that sort of thing
I have a black SAB with a malacca handle, but I can see the appeal of something a bit more informal - a more rustic handle with a green or blue canopy perhaps.
Do you have any idea where to have an umbrella repaired in the States? I have a SWB number with a bent rib, and shipping it back and forth to London for repair will cost nearly as much -- so UPS promises me -- as an entirely new umbrella.
I know of no repair in the U.S. and send mine back. Think of it this way - the cost is more than most new umbrellas but it is still less than a new Brigg.
If you really believe it should be black only for a man. Why did you post this umbrellla for your male readers to consider?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121001271996
It was on this list:
http://putthison.com/post/34168324152/ebay-roundup-jesses-mom-has-a-bunch-of-auctions
I saw it on your list and bought it! ;)
I'm out here in sunny California. It's still an unusual umbrella, but I'm an informal engineer anyhow. I've already got a comment from a fellow engineer on how nice the color combination is.
I did not post that umbrella. You saw it on Put This On.
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