Fashion Umbrellas

CEBU, Philippines - The cold season does not come alone. It brings with it frequent showers and downpours. For those whose jobs require them to be always in top form, the rains could really be a problem.

Trouble does not end with the rains. When the sun shines brightest - which is not uncommon in a tropical country like the Philippines - it is a problem too. Direct sunlight connives with ambient humidity to easily make people look harassed and haggard.

These problems, however, has since had a handy solution. It's an equipment whose modest size belies its versatility and the good protection and comfort it gives. The umbrella is indeed a most useful human invention.

And the umbrella's use is no longer limited to rain or shine. Using umbrellas have come to be another way to show their users' fashion sense. Nowadays there are different designs of umbrellas to match their users' different fashion styles.

From stripe to floral to plain or solid colors, today's umbrellas present vast possibilities. There are even umbrellas with zebra print, natural sceneries, even photographs of famous people. The handy tool is not anymore only about the rain and the sunlight. And - it's not anymore only for women; umbrellas are already common among men.

It may be a good idea for the fashion-conscious to have several fashion umbrellas for every mood, and to go with every outfit. For regular everyday use, fashion experts recommend umbrellas in black paisley or sky blue, for both women and men. But one could never go wrong with black, as well.

To brighten the day, stripes, floral patterns, zebra or leopard prints, and other such designs are the way to go. If the purpose is simply protection from the rain of sun, umbrellas with wide covers are better, of course. The modern auto-open type is preferred by many, as it can be quickly opened with just one hand.

The foldable type is nice, too. It can easily fit the clutch bag and often doesn't even look like it's there. Although among the elderly, the sturdy straight-out type is preferable because it can double as a cane. Some creative minds even devise the umbrella as a self-defense weapon. 

The most popular uses of the umbrella, again, are for protection and fashion. Which makes it almost imperative for each person to have at least one. It is not much of an investment to acquire an umbrella these days. At their current prices, it is even possible to have a new umbrella every so often - to time with every turn of both the weather and the fashion trend.

(Photos: www.totes-isotoner.com) (FREEMAN)