Will I look an utter wally if I buy and use a UV parasol this summer? I am 42 and sturdily-built, not an eccentric elderly lady or a frail Victorian duchess

[HepburnKNotA]

I burn even with Factor 50 if I stay out in the midday sun and with the usual ghastliness of school sports days/family garden parties etc occuring this summer, I can't just stay indoors at midday (or guarantee shade in small urban gardens or sports fields)

I have a LOT of freckles/moles, incredibly pale skin and need to be careful.

A hat (in which I always feels ridiculous) is OK for some shade over the face, but in the height of the sun it never gives enough shade, plus there's all the other bits to think about, shoulders, chest etc.

I have seen this online and think it's rather fetching.

www.umbrellaheaven.com/product/ezpeleta-patterned-ladies-uv-parasol/

But will I look utterly ridiculous if eg I rock up to sports day with this (when everyone else seems to be in vest tops, no hats and Factor Zero, the kind of blithe Summer People who think i'm a party pooper with my pale skin and my 14 different varities of sun-screen).

Or will I set a fabulous new fashion and be the envy of all who survey me?

No, I don't think you'll look silly - I have noticed more people are using them in the sun. Wouldn't be a bad idea for me either (really managed to get the Norwegian/Irish genes in my family!)

Thanks Echobelly. My MIL uses one and it suits her but she IS an eccentric elderly lady so nobody blinks an eye. I'm thinking it's best to plump for one, if I go for it, that LOOKS like a parasol rather than one that could also be an umbrella? So people recognise I'm doing it AS A STYLE STATEMENT (secondary of course to UV protection) rather than just bonkers-ly wandering around with an umbrella on a blue-sky day at 30 degrees?

Channel you inner eccentric strong Victorian Duchess- be Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey, nobody messes with her.
Set the trend for sensible but decorative sun protection.

I think it’s a great idea.

As long as you don’t poke me in the eye with it.

Seriously though I have seen them used by people over parks and beaches where they are sitting down in the sun.

There so much nicer than hats imo.

**they're

I've looked for a reasonably priced parasol before but not found one so I'm tempted to buy the same one.

I've been known to use an umbrella for shade because I can't cope with the sun and I look longingly with people who look good in hats so I say go for it.

They are used over summer where I live (hot country), I wouldnt look twice except maybe at a small backyard bbq it would be odd ... tbh i burn very easily but never if I use spf 50, a hat and stat out of the sun. Do you live in the Uk? If so, how on earth are you managing a sunburn if you use all of that?!

I might go for this one

I've got to disagree with most posters - if someone turned up on the school run with this I definitely think they would stand out! I would love to use one and can see the benefits but I do think you would get fair amount of looks.

Depends on how much you want to blend in, I'm too self conscious but applaude you if you use one. I think a hat would be easier to pull off TBH. Or you could just go for it, get a long flowy dress and skip about shouting 'I'm a ladyeee'

I use one! I am very pale and burn in minutes in summer. My DCs have rugby and footie tournaments in June/July which can last for about 6-8 hours in a field with
no shade! My parasol always comes with me, I don't care how ridiculous I look!

Elllllle, it's the days where I CAN'T find shade and have to be out in the sun 12-3ish. eg sports day, 2pm, zero shade available; my nephew's christening party in their back garden, 12pm, zero shade available...

This being the UK, I don't think anybody ever thinks about how fundamentaly nuts it is to host events in the summer outdoors AT MIDDAY

I mean, I get that we have a short summer and it's nice to be outdoors, but honestly, those parties/weddings where you're all roasting at 1pm in August in 32 degrees but because 'it's gorgeous!!' nobody has thought about where you might find a bit of cool shade...

I'm a whinger and party pooper, I know, but honestly I do burn with Factor 50/hat in the middle of the day, i'd be fine at 4pm but 12pm is a different story! I always seek shade if it's there but often its not.

Right, it's been MN approved so I'm buying the parasol!

Thanks everyone.

UpToon, don't worry, not on the school run!! I'm OK at school run times of day for like 20 mins there and back, no problem. It's those long events in the middle of the day i'm thinking of, and we have a lot of them this summer.

I think I may get a few looks... I'm going to brazen them out!

I have used a special sun-umbrella before on a walking holiday. It was great and keeps your head far cooler than a hat.

I would definitely consider using one for an outdoor event, but I do sometimes wear 50s style summer dresses so it would sort of go with the look.

Perhaps go a bit elegant with your style that day? Palazzo pants and a silk scarf flung over your shoulder.

Oh and I've never yet found a hat that doesn't make me look absolutely absurd - yes, even more absurd than wafting about with a parasol - I LOVE hats on other people but literally not a single style - and I've tried MANY - makes me look or feel anything other than WEIRD.

MaybeDoctor, I agree about the clothes to 'match' - I certainly wouldn't think it would work with shorts and a T-shirt, for sure.

I think if I also accessorise with a glass of champagne in my hand AT ALL TIMES it will help.

If its just events I would go for it, you will probably end up being very popular with people stealing your shade!

Only on the UK would we be dithering about buying a very practical parasol to protect our skin and fear looking silly yet women with certain religious beliefs can be swathed in material from head to toe and no one bats an eye!

Parasol or Burqa op, the choice is yours!

Not meaning ro derail as I totally approve of the parasol BUT the teachers at school where I live are super glamorous and have to wear a hat as part of "sunsmart" legislation. I get a lot of hat inspo from them as they all have different styles and shapes and hairdos. Panamas are very forgiving - what is your hair like OP?

My last holiday in Spain they were very common with locals. I saw them everywhere.

I like these!

www.lily-lark.com/collections/all

Elllle oh, I adore Panamas... again, on other people. My hair is one factor - I wear it up ALWAYS and I have a lot of it so it never fit under the hat; and my face shape, long and thin, just looks dreadful under a hat, even a gorgeous Panama :(

Please get one and start a trend! I think they’re an absolutely fantastic idea.

I'm going to totally out myself here but I work in a school and am outside in the midday sun. I started using one and it's fab. I look like a tit and the kids can't quite get their heads round why Mrs Rockbird is using an umbrella when it's not raining but it's a talking point and I don't get burnt. I'm long past the point of caring what I look like!