Right, I’m sick of hiding from the sun. Will a UV umbrella make me look like a wally?

[ShadesOfPemberley]

My skin is ludicrously pale. I can wear all the factor 50 I like but if I go out in the full sun between 12 and about 3 I can literally feel my skin singeing. I hate hats, they just make me hotter. I am sick and tired of scurrying about between patches of shade on my way to places, or even worse barely going out to avoid the sun.

ive always quite fancied a UV umbrella but have never seen anyone else with one… until now! People must be as sick of the heatwave as I am because in the last 3-4 days I’ve seen roughly half a dozen sunshade carriers! A couple of them even looked completely fabulous (the others looked totally fine, albeit not fabulous as such)

I am quite a self conscious person though. I am also a hot sweaty miserable-in-summer person. Will a UV brolly just make me look silly, ridiculous or anything else that will enhance my already peak self-consciousness?!?

I am 50, in case that gives helpful brolly/wally ratio context.

Any advice on type/style/brands also appreciated. Don’t think I can pull off the bridal/Little Miss Muffet look. But I’m sure there are good alternatives out there? Wish I’d asked the two fabulous carriers now but I was driving past them (would have been walking but I was avoiding the sodding sun!)

I have a bright pink parasol 🤷🏼‍♀️

I think they look très chic

Oh and some drunk man said it looked like a cocktail umbrella. Loads of women have complimented me on it though. A woman in the pub garden yesterday said I should hire it out for £10 an hour ha.

I saw a woman using one last week and she looked so classy. I’m not the trendy type to be able to pull these things off, but luckily I’m also not the type to care what other people think so I think I’ll look into one

I have used this all summer in London and abroad, and have surprisingly not felt stupid! I love it. It has saved my sanity.

www.brolliesgalore.co.uk/the-national-gallery-uvp-50-minilite-folding-umbrella-sunflowers?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22032614804&gbraid=0AAAAAD54lmI57RHJVWOYHkldiSjIrGuCQ&gclid=CjwKCAjw9szSBhBNEiwAC57Sq1wkVKgX-iRRhDsnDj4FqbuXAYG_NeP3-y4MC3Yp3kZUS65x63RbmxoCAOcQAvD_BwE

The first couple of brollies I used for this purpose also had a frilly edge, just to add to the genteel, parasol effect.

Go ahead and use it. It might give others similar to you the confidence to do the same.

You will look like a refined regency lady 😁

I imagine a normal umbrella is also factor 50, I may use mine tomoz. I have vitiligo and even SPF 50 isn’t enough. I look leopard print now!

I bought a massive one for an outdoor wedding in Spain a few years ago. I’m using it all the time now, much better than a hat as it covers the whole of the top half of me.

I've been using one for a couple of years. I haven't seen anyone else do it, but I burn easily and simply do not care. I did have a little dog bark at me yesterday and the owner said it was because of the umbrella, but no negative comments from people! A few colleagues have enquired about them but I think they probably feel self-conscious until they become more mainstream.

I hear they are really common in Asia and bound to become more common over here soon.

I use a Fulton one with proper UV protection, in a light, summery colour. It folds up so I can pop it into my bag as well. I highly recommend.

Just use one. Sod what anyone else thinks. Living in SE Asia they were incredibly common (well, brollies were, not sure if they were UV) and they make complete sense. Although it was a bit windy and gusty here today!

I used mine on Friday and it’s so much better than a hat that holds
the heat in and makes my hair sweaty and damp. The other positive is that you can position the umbrella to shade you so if the sun is behind you then you are likely to burn the back of your neck even wearing a hat.
Go for it, who gives a fig what anyone else thinks?
something like this? Says it’s UV50
https://www.amazon.co.uk/parasol-umbrella-Sunshade-Embroidered-Protection/dp/B0F3J1T39B/ref=asc_df_B0F3J1T39B?mcid=df31901200c838e79a489f0b7b26929f&hvocijid=7040482038939143735-B0F3J1T39B-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7040482038939143735&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9189431&hvtargid=pla-2281435175938&psc=1&gad_source=1

I have a parasol I got from Amazon. My older teen DS has pinched it off me in the past

I have to walk to the bus stop with no shade so it's invaluable frof keeping me coolet

I don't think anyone would be bothered about you using an umbrella but you do realise that the reason you're pale is because you don't ever get any sun on you? I hope you take a vit D supplement.

I went to Silverstone for the f1 last week and I’m on biological medication that means I am very sun sensitive. I took mine and honestly it saved me, along with a wide brim hat.

Some people are just pale? I’m a redhead. I’m never going to not be pale
I take vitamin D as everyone should October - March

Everyone should take it all year round as it takes 3 months for sunlight to be converted to Vit D.

Some people are naturally paler but if you never get sun on your skin you'll be very pale indeed.

Being in full sun makes me feel ill so I cover up as much as possible.
I fear that id find carrying an umbrella in this heat very taxing.

I have the cream uniqlo one that I bought in Japan earlier this summer. Everyone uses brollys there - it's only a matter of time if this hot weather is regular till they become normal. It was a godsend in Japan.

Same here! I've been using a normal umbrella for the school run and had a few people comment on it being a good idea. I've also noticed at least 3 others using them (again with nobody pointing and laughing!)

Before that I'd been wearing a hat but it makes my head so hot and hair greasy. Much prefer brolly.

I've ordered a proper UV brolly which should arrive this week.

Thank you to the posters who have mentioned solbari. I hadn't heard of that company before but looks good quality.

I got this one recently, it's fab. Folds up small and works as an umbrella too
William Morris upf 50 sun umbrella

I live in a touristy place and have seen lots of Japanese women using them recently. it reminded me I have a silver UV umbrella I got abroad and I intend to use it when it’s really hot again and couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. They’re very effective.

I have a Fulton one - it’s great and silver.

Thanks everyone! I’ve just treated myself to this one

https://www.solbari.co.uk/products/women-compact-sun-protective-umbrella-upf50?variant=40235443093606&o1=silver-summer-lemon&o2=106cm-arc

Which I hope I love!!

I saw the William morris one and loved it too PlayerOne.

to the pp who mentioned Vit D, yep I take it year round. I do get sun on my skin, March, April, May, Sept too… also I do get early morning or late afternoon sun on my skin in summer. But this time of year when it’s UV 7 or 8 in the middle of the day, that I can’t do. As a pp said, if I need to walk up to Tesco at lunchtime (15 min there and 15 back) I really can’t face slathering myself in factor 50 and tbh if it’s 1pm even that isn’t enough protection. I have been avoiding such trips but honestly it’s a pain in the bum having to juggle everything around whether I can venture out on a necessary errand or not!

huge thanks, I will carry my Brolly with pride (wave if you see me!)

ps I suspect my 14 year old won’t be seen dead with me but never mind…!

I bought a couple of UV brollies last year for a holiday/site seeing in Rome. They were everywhere. Carry it all the time now for where there is no shade.