Rain On Me: The Most Stylish Umbrella Brands For Men
Every man should have an umbrella and yet it is a style accessory that is so often overlooked. So many people vouch for something cheap, compact and ineffective, ultimately arriving at their destination soaked and flustered when caught in a shower. To avert unnecessarily soggy situations, consider the following brands when you take a leap into the umbrella market.
London Undercover
A forward-thinking brand with longevity and environmental sustainability at the forefront of their products, for the past 12 years London Undercover have made their classic and telescopic umbrellas using 100% recycled PET fabric.
Their City Gent and City Lux designs are handmade in England and combine craftsmanship with stylish touches like Malacca wood handles and leather and brass fasteners.
Aspinal of London
It’s tough to beat Aspinal for statesman-level style. Everything from the fabrics to the colourways to the hardware is satisfyingly premium. For a smart, everyday umbrella, their compact automatic with navy blue canopy and Maple wood handle offers a timeless option that’s handmade in Italy.
Fox Umbrellas
Another classy umbrella maker, this time with serious political and royal credentials. It’s worth noting that Fox Umbrellas, established in 1868 during the reign of Queen Victoria, has been the brand of choice for both English and Japanese royals as well as JFK.
Its wares are handmade in Surrey, England in a factory open to the public. For the ultimate in luxury, we’d recommend their Scorched Maple Solid umbrella, which is crafted from a single continuous piece of wood – making each one unique.
Fulton
Another British manufacturer with the Royal seal of approval, Fulton have been keeping people dry and sheltered since 1956 when their first factory was established in Whitechapel, East London. Since then they have gone on to become an international rainwear brand selling a wide range of standard, designer and bespoke umbrellas worldwide. The Diamond range is the height of luxury.
Francesco Maglia
Like your umbrellas artisan-crafted by a family-owned company in the sixth generation? Then Francesco Maglia are the brand for you. Known worldwide as the ‘King of Umbrellas’, the Milan-based brand craft the finest quality canopies with luxury wooden handles to match. The perfect umbrella for sprezzatura elegance.
Blunt
“Beautiful umbrellas. Made to last.” So the tagline goes. Blunt are a design-orientated company that have taken a radical approach to improving the humble umbrella, and the results are marvellous.
Superior engineering and beautiful design combine for an aerodynamic umbrella with a slightly morphed shape that’s put through extensive testing to ensure it’s built to last. Making the most of sturdy futureproof materials, everything from the build to the packaging has an eye on longevity and sustainability.
Barbour
Wax jacket stalwarts and country attire enthusiasts Barbour also do a nice line in umbrellas. In a range packed full of traditional tartan motifs, the British brand’s offering boasts premium construction, wooden crooked handles and matching tartan cases.
The Walker umbrella is a standout piece that looks just as at home in the city as it is marauding through the countryside.
Hunter
When they’re not making premium Wellington boots, Hunter are helping keep you dry with their range of nifty auto-open umbrellas.
Using specialised hybrid frame technology, made from a combination of fibreglass and fibre-reinforced plastic, wind isn’t a concern for their compact and moustache bubble umbrellas. The latter boasts welded seam construction and a clear canopy design.