One surefire way to put a damper on an otherwise great beach vacation? Sunburn! Keep the whole family safe in the shade this Summer with a lightweight, portable umbrella, cabana, or sun shelter that you can easily tote along to the beach. Here are 11 of our favorite picks!
April Showers Bring the Perfect Reason to Shop These Cute Umbrellas
April showers are inevitable — and if you're in NYC today, they are a reality — but that doesn't mean you can't add a little sunshine to your day with a cute umbrella. Instead of wasting your money on those cheap, disposable ones (really, how many "replacement" umbrellas have you had to buy in one season?), we suggest you invest in one great one that will last you year after year. To help you make a stylish splash, we've culled eight of our favorite umbrellas to cure your rainy-day blues. Step inside to see and shop our editors' picks now.
The Storm-Trooper Manual: 18 Rainy-Day Essentials For Right Now
If you're on the East Coast, chances are you know Sandy (Hurricane Sandy, that is) pretty well already. But this force of nature isn't the only reason we're honing in on the rainy-day fashion essentials. As Fall settles in, and Winter is but a severe temperature drop away, it's important to have the right layers and add-ons that will not only keep you warm, but keep you dry. An umbrella is key (and we're kind of obsessed with this plaid-infused one), as is slick outerwear. Whatever your coat preference may be — anorak, puffer, or trench — we've got it in its best waterproof rendition. Plus, you'll definitely need some boot socks, toasty headgear, and, if conditions worsen, a backup travel umbrella, too. In effect, we promise the perfect mix of sleek and functional rainy-day must haves. For the complete storm-trooper detail, head right this way.
Source: Fashion Gone Rogue
6 Geeky Umbrellas to Keep Your Head Dry
It's tempting to steer clear of venturing outside during torrential Spring and Summer showers, but these geeky umbrellas should help protect you from getting soaked. We've covered umbrellas with cool LED lights, lightsabers, and color-changing graphics to name a few — so are you ready to stop avoiding the rain?
A Dozen Kids Umbrellas to Brighten Rainy Days
April showers can be a bummer when your little one wants to play outside, but grab her rain boots and one of the these kid-friendly umbrellas, and you'll never let a few sprinkles get you down again. From umbrellas featuring playful critters to designs inspired by Madonna, these rain catchers are made to make kids smile, even in a storm. Our favorite might be Brelli's clear version (shown to the left), which comes with a set of permanent paint markers, so your child can create an original piece of umbrella art. Now that's something to sing — in the rain — about!
Umbrella Stands: Options to Buy and a Smart DIY
Now that the rainy season is finally upon us in San Francisco, I'm remembering why umbrella stands become so essential this time of year. Since most are located by the front door, I think it's a great way to introduce the style of your home. I've pulled together a roundup of some of the statement umbrella stands I have my eye on, as well as a clever tutorial for turning a stock stand into a customized standout for your home.
Chevron prints are still everywhere, and this Hand Painted Chevron Stripe with Red Interior Umbrella Stand (price upon request, second to the left, bottom) comes in eight different shades of lacquer.
I think rope brings texture and warmth to everything, and this Rope Twist Umbrella Stand ($525, right of chevron stand) is no exception. Instead of just wrapping rope around a traditional cylinder shape, this one has a lasso-like look that makes it sculptural.
This Zontik Umbrella Holder ($350, left of chevron stand) reminds me of the Elsa Peretti Bean designs from Tiffany & Co. It's super mod, but the gold shade gives it a glamorous edge.
Find out how Jenny from Little Green Notebook turned her admiration for Leontine Linens monograms into a chic umbrella stand DIY project. The addition of the black and white umbrella stand instantly tied in the entryway with her living room, which has graphic black and white striped drapes.
Click on the rest of the umbrella stands to shop directly!
Make Rainy Days Infinitely Better With These 10 Items
My Spring dresses and espadrilles are staring at me forlornly from the closet, while I get another sweater and jeans outfit together because it's rainy and cold. How to make rainy days more enjoyable? Or at least less depressing from a fashion standpoint? From the sunniest — and chicest — rain boots to perfect trenches and screw-the-rain-I'm-wearing-it-anyway yellow dress, here are 10 pick-me-up items to guarantee happiness on rainy days.
Slick Rain Gear to Keep You Covered During Those April Showers
>> We're expecting a load of rain showers for the next couple weeks, so we rounded up some of the best rain-repelling (but still stylish) gear for you to stay dry in. There's a cute Marc by Marc Jacobs umbrella to add a little sunshine to your day, a smart canvas coated coat from Opening Ceremony, waterproof booties, and a windproof bucket hat from Urban Outfitters — that should do the trick. But there's more where that came from — check out the slideshow for more of our splash-proof favorites!
Color-Changing Umbrellas Are Walking Art!
You probably have a few umbrellas, but how about adding more fun to your collection? Introducing Squidarella, an artsy, innovative umbrella that changes color when it gets wet. Each umbrella starts out with a black and white paint-splattered design, then as raindrops fall, the bright colors are revealed. Don't believe me? Check out this fresh video demonstration. Then get your own UrbanTrim Squidarella Color-Changing Umbrella ($38).
I Love Your Shopstyle: Singin' in the Rain

The nonstop precipitation has me in a bit of a funk, but natural born styler brightened up my day. Her rainproof ensemble makes me want to start singin' in the rain. She refrained from featuring the per-usual rain jacket and galoshes, and, instead, chose a pair of patent boots, skinny trousers, Lichtenstein sweater, and fringe poncho complete with a clear, kitschy umbrella! Now that's what I call slick, wet-weather dressing.








