Wee Birdy | The insider’s guide to shopping, design, interiors, travel, fashion and beauty

Top 12 Beautiful Umbrellas

August 27, 2014

It's bucketing down here in Sydney right now. And because it's not officially spring yet, I can't even quote 'Spring Rain' by The Go-Betweens. (Wee diversion: Do you love The Go-Betweens? Aaah, so good.) Anyway, one online search led to another, and before I knew it, I had rounded up a collection of the most beautiful umbrellas. I don't know about you, but carrying one of these beauties would make even the most horrendous weather seem slightly more bearable.

Isabella Albonico. Photography by Nina Leen, March 1958.

Isabella Albonico looking cheered by her fancy brolly. Photography by Nina Leen, March 1958.

Now, remember the key word here is beautiful. If you're after something super-practical, try Japanese brand Snow Peak's UL Umbrella, which is apparently one of the lightest and most compact umbrellas around. You can buy it from Goodhood in London, which also has a rather good online shop. But back to beautiful brollies... here are my top 12. Just click on the individual product and it will take you through to the original shop source.

Color Wheel umbrella, US$48, from MoMA Store.

Frilled heart-shaped umbrella by Love Umbrellas, AU$37.24, from Not on the High Street.

Yoyo umbrella by Gina & May, AU$49.95, from Everything Begins.

Sunflower umbrella by The Brolly Shop, $55.82, from Not on the High Street.

Starry Night umbrella, $48, from MoMA.

Lady Bug umbrella by Gina & May, AU$59.95, from Everything Begins.

Multi Flower Check birdcage umbrella, £32, from Orla Kiely.

Foil spot umbrella, AU$49, from Gorman.

Black stripe umbrella by Kate Spade New York, $38, from Shopbop.

Sparkle umbrella by Love Umbrellas, $149.20, from Not on the High Street.

Andy Tuohy children’s umbrella, £10, from The Tate Shop.

Sky umbrella by Tibor Kalman and Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, $48, from MoMA.

Still can't get enough of umbrellas? You might like to read my post on London institution James Smith & Sons. I guarantee you'll find a darn fine umbrella, and you'll also enjoy a trip back in time to Dickens' London (pssst... they also have an online shop, but it's not nearly as exciting as a trip to the shop itself). Tell me: do you have a darn-fine umbrella I should know about? And do any of my top 12 brolly beauties take your fancy?

Disclosure: Some of my wee finds are also affiliate links and I will be paid a small commission if you buy them, which would be jolly helpful since Wee Birdy is my full-time job. But don’t worry, all of my wee finds are based on their awesomeness and ability to make me smile. Confetti jets optional. (To be honest, I don't even know which ones are affiliate links, if any. It's all beyond me. Just saying.)

Posted at 8:57 am in Design, Top 12
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Tagged Andy Tuohy, Everything Begins, Gina & May, Goodhood, Goodhood Life Store, Gorman, James Smith & Sons, Kate Spade, MoMA Store, Orla Kiely, Shopbop, Snow Peak, The Tate Shop