I have never really paid that much attention to umbrellas, thinking of them as something functional and not really that interesting. Yesterday, as I dashed out of the house, the heavens opened and my old umbrella, that I once got free from a magazine, finally gave up the ghost. With two spokes already poking out in rather a dangerous looking fashion, when the whole thing turned inside out, I knew it was destined for the bin. Instead I sheltered under my daughters Mr Men umbrella. What a funny site that must have been, me running along unde a clear plastic dome of an umbrella with lots of funny purple men all over it. I’ll have to say, it did a very good job of keeping me dry but it didn’t really compliment my sophisticated and carefully selected outfit.

With this summer looking to be a bit of a washout (again) and the umbrella becoming one of my most utilised accessories, I have decided that I need to invest in a stylish new umbrella or perhaps more than one to compliment different outfits. I can then ensure that I arrive stylishly and dry at my destination. Here are some of my favourites.

Fulton birdcage black umbrella

Frilled Zebra Print Umbrella

Ditsy Floral Print Umbrella

Paisley Print Umbrella

Frilled Spot Print Umbrella