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 We have
seen evidence of umbrellas in the ancient art and artifacts of Egypt and China so
we assume that these are the historical motherlands of umbrella where they were
privileges of kings and lords like fans mostly. This invention dated the XI century
AC. Primarily the umbrellas were designed to protect exclusively from the sun. And
the average umbrella weight more than 2 kg (!), and the handle was about 1,5 m length.
It is known
that the umbrella was used as a screen from the sun in the Ancient Egypt time
and in Babylon. A very curious fact refers to this, yet the umbrella became a
symbol of power. In ancient times in the Far East only royalties or high-ranking
court was allowed to wear umbrellas. From the East umbrellas smoothly moved to
Ancient Greece and then to Rome where predominantly women used umbrellas. In the
West Europe far back in the middle ages the
umbrella was not a customary item and only in the XVII century the umbrella got popular in France
(the other word is parasol) and was used the same with masks as protection from
sun. And only in the XVIII century it was acknowledged and largely used as a
screen from the rain as well.
People tried
to favorably use umbrellas for whatever practical reasons. For instance, in the
end of the XIX century they invented the incredible alternative of turning the umbrella
into the manual lightning protector. With this purpose a long metal stem was
mounted from the above that was connected with the ground by the wire. The
umbrella wearer hidden under the silk tent was tightly holding a wooden handle,
as an insulator. In the mid 20s the USA offered using an umbrella not to
protect from rain or sun but from street attacks. When pressing the handle of the
umbrella, it would release tear gas directly towards the aggressor and at the
same time alarm was triggered. Nevertheless, an umbrella remains just an umbrella
but not the weapon for self-defense and till now it's still protecting us foul
weather.
Fashion for
umbrella
An umbrella
can be widely used not only for purposes to protect you from rain or sun, or
just a fashion garment. You can happily
use it as a stick, it can hide you better than any hat with veil and if and
when necessary, it may be used to protect from whatever...
Long-long before
Madam Fashion appeared the weather was the principal thing to dictate to
primitive tailors. The weather itself provided a human being with cloth materials,
and the weather determined and appropriated its form and the needs proper. It is
quite natural that natives of northern latitude robe in fells, and tropical
natives wear loincloth weaved from the fibers.
Outwear of
the other nations did not undergo sea changes, it changed gradually instead;
accordingly the weather conditions and national traditions. However, it does
not to say that in Europe the climate was so favorable to cultivate fashion
trends. The history does not say about influence of the weather to fashion
development, however it brings lots of examples of discrepancies between them. The
vogue has always been in martial spirit with the weather and acts of God that
form climate on our planet. And very often the number of victims in this
one-sided fight is quite considerable.
Since antiquity
time until up-to-date the dialogue of European women with the sun was quite sad.
The sun used to burn their perfect pale skin making it red or brown that
brought freckles on their forehead an and nose. In ancient Greek times there a headwear
was practiced that protected from the sun in the form of the disc with broad
brims and sharp bottom that is fastened to the upper coverlet like a shawl and shifted
jointly with it depending of the sun position. In the southern countries an
umbrella has always been an integral element of the women outfit. It was now and
then replaced by a sunshade or a special veil protecting from wind and cold.
However, when the hat became larger than the table of the pauper in size, it
cannot be explained but the vagary of fashion since it is impossible to explain
at all. There was no logic to refer to the sun. And only in the XV century
ladies took off their hats when reddish shade of hair fell into vogue. They only
did it to expose their heads to the sun and have their dark hair faded and
acquired the desired shade.
Women thought
of the rain more than neutral. They merely did not go out in rainy seasons. In the
last resort a parasol was practiced. Thus, the «Frauenzimmerlexikon» published in
1715, said that parasol (meaning, umbrella) is a screen from rubber sheet used
for protection from sun burns, and the rain either. That time the umbrellas can
be opened and shut.
From the end
of the XIX century the fashion undergo sea changes every 5 to 10 years. An ordinary
fashion trend again promises an «ultimate real beauty», a longing to conform
with often make one look ridiculous. Therefore one should bear in mind the
style and image we create. A classic business-like costume does not stand «gay»
motives and patterns in the neighborhood. And by the same argument one should not
wear a light crêpe de Chine dress of «flying silhouette» and at the same time a
bulky black umbrella. And the most appropriate way is two-three umbrellas available
to match your basic styles (like business-like, sporty and romantic or
business-like and youth). And this way you will look 100% perfect.
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