Nicola here, today reflecting on the British obsession with the weather and the fact that I need a new umbrella. It’s a cliché about the Brits that we are always talking about the weather. It’s true that it does tend to be a (hot) topic of conversation, partly because it can change from moment to moment and also because it’s useful small talk when you are out on a walk and the heavens open and the rain pours down. Even if nothing is happening, we still talk about it; for the past two weeks England has been under a thick layer of cloud – no sun, no wind, no rain, so of course everyone was talking about how there has been no sun/wind/rain for weeks.
The difficult combination of rain and wind together is a particular challenge of a British autumn. When I was young (another cliché) the weather was so much colder. We had frosts and snow on and off from November through to March. These days I live in the South of England and it’s milder and we don’t see the snow so often, which is a pity as it looks so nice. What we do all need, is a sturdy umbrella, and right now I need a new one after my little telescopic one blew inside out on the last stormy day.
It’s surprising that a country like England didn’t invent the umbrella given our climate, but as it evolved from the parasol, perhaps not. Until recently there wasn’t a huge need for
sunshades here in the UK although that has all changed. In fact, the umbrella was well-known during the Roman period but then, like so many other things, was forgotten in Europe for several centuries. There are religious paintings that feature the parasol/umbrella as a ceremonial symbol but it wasn’t for everyday use.
The umbrella was seen as a novelty to the English when they spotted it in pictures or heard about it on the continent. In 1611 Thomas Coryat wrote of expensive leather umbrellas carried by horsemen in Italy providing “shadowve to them for shelter against the scorching heate of the sunne. These are made of leather, something answerable to the forme of a little cannopy, & hooped in the inside with divers little wooden hoopes that extend the umbrella in a pretty large compasse.” These were known as “ombrellos.”
In France, the “parapluie” was invented in the 1660s by coating parasols with wax to make them waterproof. The inventory of the French royal court in 1763 mentioned “eleven parasols of taffeta in different colours” as well as “three parasols of waxed toile, decorated around the edges with lace of gold and silver”. They were rare and by the sound if it, expensive and not really the sort of thing you would take out in the rain, but maybe that was the point. They were definitely status symbols! It seems amazing though that the first lightweight foldable umbrella was actually invented in Paris as early as 1708. (Painting by Louis-Léopold Boilly, Public Domain Wikipedia.)
Meanwhile, over the Channel, the umbrella was seen as a fancy French frippery by the English who perhaps foolishly believed that they were too tough to mind a bit of rain. As a result, they missed out on umbrellas for over fifty years, and shouted abuse as those Londoners sophisticated enough to import them. It was not until 1788 that it was acceptable to own an umbrella and they were advertised in newspapers. They were however still expensive and unusual. An extraordinary report from the Napoleonic Wars relates that in one battle when it was raining, the English cavalry were carrying umbrellas which they rolled up and hung on their saddles before joining the fight!
By the 1830s, the commercial manufacture of umbrellas finally took off. Previously seen as luxury items, they came down in price but were still high quality. They were still viewed as a
sign of status, though in an England that thrived on social distinctions. Robert Louis Stephenson wrote: “It is the habitual carriage of the umbrella that is the stamp of Respectability.” Gentlemen were expected to carry a black silk “city” umbrella as part of their working dress.
Some people prefer not to carry a full-sized umbrella, of course, as it does mean that you don’t have your hands free for other things. This is where the bag-sized folding brolly comes in so useful – as long as it is strong enough to stand up to the bad weather. And then there are those who don’t get along with umbrellas at all, preferring a hat or a waterproof coat with a hood.
I must admit that I have always rather fancied floating away like Mary Poppins, using my umbrella to fly. Mary Poppins’ umbrella had that quirky handle as well and that is a part of an umbrella’s charm – whether it has a traditional curved handle or a carved parrot head, it all adds to the style.
Sharing an umbrella can also be romantic, drawing people into close proximity, although my own experience is that it is rather more likely to provoke an argument when the person carrying it lets the drips run down your neck! Yet Captain Wentworth in Jane Austen’s Persuasion does prove through his thoughtfulness that the umbrella can be a most romantic item:
“Captain Wentworth… turned again to Anne and by manner rather than words was offering his services to her.
“Though I came only yesterday, I have equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see (pointing to a new umbrella.) I wish you would make use of it if you are to walk.”
Where would we be without the weather to act as a means of bringing people together? The last word goes to Gene Kelly, dancing with his umbrella:
“LET THE STORMY CLOUDS CHASE EVERY ONE FROM THE PLACE
COME ON WITH THE RAIN I’VE A SMILE ON MY FACE
I’LL WALK DOWN THE LANE WITH A HAPPY REFRAIN
AND SINGIN’ JUST SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN.”
How do you feel about the rain? Do you own an umbrella or do you prefer a raincoat/hat?
I like the smell of rain. I like the sound of a steady light rain, especially if it is falling on leaves. I don’t like wind with rain and never downpours. I am not fond of being out in the rain, with or without an umbrella. Though I remember as a kid, on a hot summer day, loving to run about in rain.
Unfortunately, we have not seen much rain in the northeast of the US and we are seriously in need of it, so I will welcome drizzles, downpours, any form. For this reason, rain has become a common topic of conversation.
Hi Alison! I think rain (or weather) does become more of a topic of conversation when things get out of kilter, doesn’t it. I’m hoping the weather gods send you some rain in your part of the world!
Given a choice, Nicola, I’d rather see the rain through a window! I’ll be heading out today into the rain to run some errands and carrying my umbrella with me. What I find challenging is the combination of wind and rain; sometimes one must simply concede defeat and get wet.
That’s so true and very practical, Kareni. And weather can sometimes be bracing and refreshing!
I live in Puget Sound, near the city of Seattle, which has a reputation for being rainy. However, you can often tell us locals from the incomers by the fact the few of us (in the past, at least) carry umbrellas. Since rain is often accompanied by wind, they are in danger, like yours, of blowing inside out. I generally wear a rain coat and a warm wool hat. Here’s a favorite poem of mine:
“The rain it raineth on the just
And also on the unjust fella;
But chiefly on the just, because
The unjust hath the just’s umbrella.”
― Charles Bowen
Oh, I love that poem! So funny. Which reminds me that another feature of umbrellas is the frequency with which they get lost or left behind somewhere!
I use an umbrella sometimes. Mostly if it is a driving rain at at a 45 degree angle…I hold the umbrella to deflect it out of my face. My normal rain attire is a rain coat and a Stetson with a 3 inch brim with a nice sturdy chin strap. Slide the clasp up and the hat goes nowhere. The brim is wide enough to keep my glasses and neck mostly dry.
Never use an umbrella when there is lighting going on…it makes you a lightning rod. I learned that when I went to Rocky Mtn National Park one year and there had been several deaths the week before I got there. Storm blew up, the father held the umbrella and…tragedy occurred.
I like that term, out of kilter.. Here in the southeast (Atlanta GA specifically) we’ve definitely had very out of kilter weather. No measurable precipitation since Helene blew through in September. There have been a few sprinkly days – as in the grass and leaves get wet. But the ground is still hard as a brick and the shrubs and trees are still droopy. Ah well…sooner or later we’ll get some measurable rain.
The Stetson sounds like an excellent rain hat! I have found my waxed hat perfect with a raincoat except for when it is very windy (it doesn’t have a chin strap like yours.) Also it squashes my already flat hair, which I don’t like. But if I’m not going anywhere afterwards, that doesn’t matter. It’s more important to be dry!
When I was young, one of my favorite things was walking in the rain – getting soaking wet. Of course there could be no lighting and it couldn’t be too cold. But if I had to stay dry an umbrella was my defense. I was always losing them. I kept one at home, one in my car, and one at work. The little fold-up umbrellas were convenient but they didn’t really get the job done. So most of mine were big wide ones.
Interesting post.
I agree, Mary. Those little umbrellas are okay for light rain but anything more serious requires a sturdy umbrella. Having multiple ones seems a good solution to that perennial problem of losing them…
I feel good about the rain, especially right now, because there is a drought in New York and New Jersey. Dry forests are causing terrible fires in Upstate New York and forested areas in NJ.
I have umbrellas in small sizes and one large one. The canopy umbrella helps against strong wind. I have a couple of raincoats, one short and a much longer one. It all covers any downpour, strong or minimal, also snowfall.
You are very well prepared, Pat! The canopy umbrella is great for wind and rain combined, isn’t it. Our weather patterns haven’t changed as dramatically as some this year, but it’s definitely hotter in the summer in Southern England. it doesn’t suit me. I may have to migrate north again!
Nicola, in Melbourne we always talk about the weather, too — partly because it’s always changing (people say it has 4 seasons in one day) but also because, as you say, it’s useful small talk and helps strangers to connect.
I don’t often use an umbrella — in fact just the other day it was raining, though not very heavily, and I was out with a friend who whipped out her brolly, and even though I had one in my bag, I didn’t get it out. I had a favourite brolly which had been my father’s golf umbrella, but foolishly I left it on a tram and lost it.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of the umbrella, Anne; these possessions that have a personal connection are always more special than the average umbrella. I adored my grandfather’s black silk umbrella. It was so sturdy, not like the little flimsy one I have in my bag, which isn’t up to coping with more than a slight breeze and some light rain.
Here in Southern Ireland our weather is much the same as England. We’re called the sunny South East where I live but it’s been in short supply this year. Our Summer wasn’t great. I get sick of the rain but what we’ve had lately is worse! Overcast grey days, all day, everyday! It’s very depressing. I feel like it’s pressing down on me and hemming me in.
I rarely use an umbrella because it’s nearly always windy here too. I’ve had many turn inside out and one just blew away out of my hand one day. I like my long coat with a hood although, like you Nicola, it flattens my dead straight hair which I also hate.
Oh well, I guess there are worse things in life.
Interesting post!
Hi Teresa, I do understand what you mean – grey skies all the time can get you down. It’s been the same here over the past few weeks although lately we’ve had some sun breaking through which is lovely.
I still haven’t found a solution to the problem of hats flattening my hair. I love a good hat but the price is high
Here in Orchard Park, NY (Upstate) we have not been subject to the recent brush and forest fires downstate, as we have had a fair amount of rain lately, for which I’m grateful. At this point in mid-November, we usually have at least one snowfall, but not this year!
As far as brollys go, I recently forgot a large umbrella in a taxi in Spain, although attempts were made to retrieve it.
My other story is that I have a large distinctive umbrella with a lovely peacock feather motif, scalloped edges, and a substantial wooden handle. I was shocked to see a character on a television show using the exact same umbrella!
Ooh, that sounds like a spectacularly gorgeous umbrella, Patricia! I do fancy getting a statement umbrella next time I buy one. Shame about the one lost in Spain, though. I left my favourite scarf in Italy last year and was very upset. I haven’t seen another like it!
Thanks for such a fun and interesting post on the umbrella!
When i was a child(and a bit older) i loved walking in the rain and in the warmer weather walking barefoot in the little rivers the rain made in the street by the curbside. We also had fun “puddle jumping” (with or without galoshes), jumping in and out of puddles splashing about. I use a hooded raincoat because in the wind the umbrella is useless. But i love all the fun patterns on umbrellas these days. I have a small folding umbrella i take with me in case it does rain unexpectedly(i live in the suburbs of New York City where the weather is a lot more changeable than it used to be!). What i love, though, us watching a goud pouring rain from inside! And i do love that scene from Singing in the rain where Gene Kelly dances in the rain! One if my all time favorites! And the scene in the Mary Poppins mivie where Julie Andrews comes floating with her umbrella made ne wish i coukd do that, too! So many scenes in books and movies where rain and umbrellas are key! But what i like most when it is a rainy day is curling up with a good book and a mug of my favorite tea!
It’s very cute how much children seem to enjoy the rain. Puddle-jumping (with galoshes here) is also something you have reminded me about, Jane. Thank you! At present I am enjoying the autumn equivalent of “splashing” through the fallen leaves!
Oooh yes! I still “splash” through the fallen leaves, the swish swish is very
satisfying! 👍😊
We also used to jump into leaf piles when i was a kid to the dismay of fathers who had just raked them up(but we were good, we raked them back together…)
Fun! It’s good we can still enjoy these things!
Thanks for a wonderful post. I formerly had several beautiful umbrellas. One was a Monet illustration. I have had all sorts. Now I have moved to Arizona. Their idea of rain does not appear to be enough for an umbrella. I keep hearing about the monsoons. I hope they appear. I like walking in rain, not driving in it. And I believe it makes walks much more interesting. Sounds and sights are different.
Definitely agree, Annette. Driving inijt is very difficult, especially trying to see where you are going if it is a pelting rain! It does change the way everything looks, just as snow does. A d the air afterwards has a fresh clean smell, too!
Goodness, I’m trying to imagine living in a place where the rain doesn’t amount to much. It would be a real change from here! It’s so true that things looks and smell different in the rain – an interesting change on a walk and lots to notice.