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ShoppingFashion

by Alexandra Mansilla

Okay, Maybe Using an Umbrella For the Sun Isn’t Such a Bad Idea

27 Jul 2025

Photo: Yerko Lucic

Remember those older ladies calmly — but confidently — walking under the scorching sun? Why so calm? Because they had something truly precious in that moment: shade. While you were melting, hiding under a bucket hat (or whatever was closest — maybe even a pair of old shorts?), they just strolled by, looking far more composed than you. Strange, right?
But years go by, and you start to realise... they were onto something. Maybe it is time to stop pretending the heat doesn’t get to us. When every trip outside feels like a survival test, why not just... give in? Embrace the wisdom. Buy an umbrella. It makes walking in the sun bearable.
And also, can we drop the idea that sun umbrellas are just for sweet old ladies shuffling down the street? That stigma is outdated.
So if you are going for it, go smart: choose one with UV protection. Not all umbrellas are created equal, and the ones with built-in UV shielding actually do something — they reflect the sun instead of just shading you.

Serious ones: G4Free

With a canopy made from 100% polyester and a titanium silver coating, this umbrella is designed to actually reflect heat, so you feel cooler underneath, even on the hottest days. It boasts a UPF 50+ rating, which means it blocks out 99% of the sun’s nasty UVA and UVB rays. Basically, you stay cool in the sun and safe from burns, and when the rain hits, you are covered there too. Perfect if you are serious about protecting your skin, but still want something that looks and feels good.

Lovely ones: Anatole

We. Fell. In. Love. With. Them. Anatole is a brand created by a half-French, half-British founder who studied in Bristol, where, as you might guess, it rains a lot. He just wanted to design beautiful umbrellas that wouldn’t get in the way of someone’s style.
And he did. Meet sleek, compact, and smart dual-purpose umbrellas — made to protect you from both rain and UV, without ruining your look.

Umbrellas from the future? Generic

We haven’t tested this umbrella from Generic ourselves yet, but honestly, it sounds pretty cool. The brand created a multifunctional sun umbrella with a built-in fan, mister, and UV protection — basically, all the things you might dream of when you are walking around in the summer heat. If you spend a lot of time outside, this could be the practical (and slightly futuristic) upgrade you didn’t know you needed.
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Photo: Adolfo Félix

The Dutch really know their umbrellas: senz°

And anyone who has even a little bit been obsessed with good design has probably heard of senz° — the brand launched back in 2006 by three students from Delft Technical University who were just done with umbrellas flipping inside out and ending up in the bin. These are basically the gold standard for stormy weather (they can handle winds up to 100 km/h!) and, as a bonus, offer 50+ UV protection — so you are covered no matter what the sky throws at you. Plus, their unique shape? You won’t see anything like it anywhere else.

For sun-intolerant skin: Ker Sun

Ker Sun grew out of a personal story. The founder, Claudia Galeana, was diagnosed with lupus at 20, a condition that makes sun exposure risky and everyday life a challenge once summer arrives.
Tired of hiding indoors and fed up with always having to explain her choices, she and her husband decided to change things. In 2019, they launched Ker Sun, driven by one mission: to create sun protection that is not just effective, but elegant, wearable, and designed for everyone, especially those with sensitive or sun-intolerant skin.
And it is not just about clothing. Among their collection, you will also find stylish umbrellas made to the same high standards: lightweight, beautifully made, and offering maximum UPF protection. Everything Ker Sun creates is carefully crafted to make you feel comfortable, confident, and actually happy to be out in the sun, knowing you are covered — literally and figuratively — by quality you can trust.