The hand held parasol was a steady companion for Victorian women, not only to protect from the sun, but used as a tool for seduction, very much like the fan..., "a flutter of lashes over the lace of a fan, or the flirtatious twirl of a parasol could say a lot."
And it has made the transition to the 21st century! At least it has for Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall (here with Prince Charles on Seymour Island, earlier this year)...
... and for brides-to-be. This one being Asian-inspired -after all, hand held parasols are traditional sunshades in countries such as India, China and Japan.
Nicole Kidman on a photo shoot for Vogue in Malibu. Hand held parasols were on runways this year and some celebrities have been photographed holding them. If this trend continues I can see myself ditch the sunscreen and the hat (which I don't really like anyway) and reach for an adorable parasol instead!
I will be right there with you! I would happily switch out my hats for a parasol. There is just something so romantic and feminine about a parasol!
ReplyDelete~ Tracy
i like their aristocrate-casual attire!
ReplyDeletebut my favorite parasol image is the wedding couple, it is lovely in every way! beach weddings are the best!
Is there anything more feminine?
ReplyDeleteI don't this so :-)
~Julia
oopsie, that was supposed to say
ReplyDeleteI don't THINK so :-)
Maya,
ReplyDeleteLovely images. When I lived in China, a parasol was de rigeur for the heat of a Beijing summer.
Get thee a parasol girl!
Marjorie
If it's good enough for Nicole Kidman, it's good enough for me! She looks very chic!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I luv the one that Nicole Kidman's carrying. Perfect for protecting her porcelain complexion.
ReplyDelete-marie
Fun post! I love that painting... I have a small copy on my bedroom wall. We use umbrellas a lot here in Arizona too... only they aren't as stylish... they are the larger golf umbrellas. I wish I had a stylish one!
ReplyDelete~Rainey
great post! I love parasols and have a fabulous vintage one for sale in the boutique.
ReplyDeleteI remember one baseball game I went to for the kids. It was so hot, I took my large dark umbrella out and covered myself with it. Several parents, looked like I was weird, but then went to their cars and got their own.
ReplyDeleteA simple baseball cap does not protect your face and I usually fry before tanning.
lovely images.
ReplyDeleteparasols have such a chic 'thing' going on.
...but you must be able to pull it off.
xx
I just love parasols. I have a couple of 'em myself. To me, they're very elegant.
ReplyDelete