When did the parasol go out of style, and why? It’s such a practical object, not to mention beautiful. Somehow, carrying one seems to add a sort of whimsy to your day.
It makes you feel like you’ve tumbled back in time a bit, to a place where you flirt with your eyes and words that sound like Oscar Wilde’s, to a place where there are hefty adventures waiting around corners for you to chase down…
And let’s not pretend that the parasol isn’t the cherry on top of this gorgeous ensemble.
I would love to say I’d use one every day, but I can’t deny that it wouldn’t look quite right with my school bag. But that just might mean that I need a new bag.
Would you carry a parasol? Every day or just for special occasions?
{first image by photographer Metin Demireley, found here; second image here; third image here; fourth image from The Sartorialist}
really gorgeous, brandi. and would i totally carry a parasol.
xo Alison
ahh, so gorgeous!! i love the idea of a parasol…but i hate being burdened by carrying things!! so can I have some one carry it for me?
Piper — Actually I saw a guy doing that for his girlfriend when I was in Chinatown this past weekend.
These are so gorgeous- the perfect thing for a garden party!
I love parasols! I almost bought one in the beginning of summer but wasn’t sure if it was a wise investment (ie… would I have the guts to use it). But I love them nonetheless. Beautiful images.
I wish I had the nerve. It would make the day-to-day feel so much fancier.
Dancing Branflake & southern hostess — Maybe we should all get together in one place and have a parasol party. It’s easier to be more courageous when you have friends with you.
I know! I don’t know why they’ve gone out of style. They’re so cute and classy!
I used one on my trips to Europe when it was in the dead of summer and the sun was unrelenting. Even though my traveling companions made fun of me, I knew they were secretly jealous (ie: running for shade and trying to squeeze under mine). Practical and oh-so-classy. I love parasols
Not sure I’ve got the confidence to pull off that look. Not to mention that a parasol mightn’t look quite right with jeans and sandals! I love it though. And growing up, I had a paper parasol as a lampshade on my bedroom ceiling. Loved it.
I almost did parasols for our wedding. I thought they would look perfect for our beachy pictures! Unfortunately, I don’t think they would have traveled very well, so I nixed the idea, but these pics make me wish I hadn’t.
I’d definitely wear a parasol, for special events, perhaps? however, I love the look of a parasol, it’s so romantic an flirty!
they’re SO pretty! i would love a parasol. where would one find such a thing? is there a parasol store? parasols-r-us perhaps? maybe the accessories dept of H&M? hmmm…
parasols are a GREAT prop for pictures!!! the past two weddings i went to the bridal parties took pictures with parasols… so pretty! actually for one of them, the groomsmen posed with them too, hilarious!
SO sweet & that first image is incredible….I don’t think I could pull one off but, it sure would be nice to have a lot of the time!
xo
Melis
I love this! Bring the parasol back! I don’t know if I would sport this on the daily, but I would bring it to picnics in the park =) Love the Lauren photo. Hope your week is going great so far!
Brandi this is so beautiful! I love your fashion picks! Love them!
awww pretty parasols. I think they were in style when people walked more. Now that most everyone has a car to take us to point a from point b, they can simply rush to where ever they’re going to hide from the hot sun. Love, love that 4th image!
Oh, this is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us!
I love the gorgeous parasols! To be honest, I can’t imagine using one without fear of losing it. I’m just awful at keeping track of things – umbrellas, gloves, scarves, hats.
it would be so fun if these were the norm again!!
i love the parasol. i actually used to carry an orange one around last summer (100 degree weather) at the market. but i broke it. : ( i use an umbrella now on a hot day. it’s not as pretty as thouse parasols though. maybe a necessary swap?!?!?
i have not dropped by for quite a while (bad internet connection) and i must say, i love the new blog layout. am a big parasol fan too. although we find it very impractical here in my side of the world cuz they’re mostly not built for rain. Other than that it is perfect especially for a photoshoot!
Good point! Let’s bring them back into style!
i love those… always wanted to get a real one brought especially for me form China… ha!
I went to an outdoor wedding where they gave all the ladies paper parasols to protect us during the sunny ceremony. It was gorgeous, and so festive!
One of my favorite wedding pictures that I’ve saved (pre-blogging) is a girl in a lacey white dress holding a lacey white umbrella–it’s so chic and timeless. I wish it were more of a trend to carry parasols because goodness knows everyone’s skin could use the break! Love your post
xo Mary Jo
the PE teacher at the school i’m at uses one. it’s a cute little red one, too. apparently she uses it everyday. total randomness seeing as how you posted this and i talked to her about her parasol today!
Can we please bring the parasol back? Not only are they beautiful in so many ways, but this very pale girl would love to use one instead of smearing thick sunblock on every day!
I agree! Parasols, hats, and sleeved dresses should make a comeback!
I’m with you on this one too – If I had one, I’d carry a parasol around all the time! Not only are they positively adorable, but they’re practical, especially in this heat wave we’re having out here.
You really should just start carrying one and let everyone stare!