Dust off your parasol - it's not just for tea parties anymore.
The fashionable sun protective accessory of centuries ago is in favor again and it has a new purpose: social distancing enhancer.
Last week, The Wall Street Journal wrote about this trend, noting the comeback of the parasol is due to its ability to provide shade from the sun, protect your hairdo and fashionably accessorize an outfit. Now, with social distancing in force, add boundary-keeping to the parasol's functionality.
As noted by Lily Selwitz, featured in the WSJ article and owner of Lily-Lark, a parasol company in New York, when carrying one of her products, "it's pretty difficult for someone to invade your space".
The parasol dates back over 4,000 years ago - it was used by the ruling class of ancient Egypt and China to provide shade from the sun.
In Lily-Lark's blog, titled Those Wacky Victorians, the obsession with accessories was great in 19th century England, and, along with gloves and fans, the parasol was also de rigueur of the time. According to the blog, a few other benefits were attributed to the "sun-umbrella": it could be used as a weapon for self-defense (some had stiletto tips) and, if rose-colored, the sun filtering through this shade could provide a more youthful look to the carrier (think low-tech soft focus).
Today, parasols can be found beyond the traditional lace and fringe styles of years past. Lily-Lark offers a variety of UV fabric shades (abstracts, florals and even bridal designs) with bamboo handles to go with any occassion.
Although we still love our Battenburg lace parasol for tea time, we're seriously considering a rose-colored sun-umbrella for occasions outside the home. Social distancing and soft focus - not bad attributes for a stylish (and functional) accessory.
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