Parasols were accessories for women in the 18th and 19th century. It was created in Italy to protect people from the sun. It is basically an umbrella but it is made of lighter, less stable material. They were also not strong enough to protect from the rain only the sun. They became popular in the mid-18th century but really took off in the 19th century to help women keep their pale faces. Eventually it became so impractical it was just a fashion statement. It soon was made out of fabric such as satin, silk or lace and they became very small, which did almost nothing to create shade. They became a show for social status and display and were used to draw attention to themselves, especially when they did the classic twirl of it. Men did not carry them because they were so dainty and it was also not very manly to carry an umbrella. It was only acceptable for men of lower classes to use them because if wealthy men used them it implied that they couldn’t afford a carriage for themselves. Eventually people realized that instead of looking fashionable keeping yourself dry was far more sensible.
"Parasols - Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages." Contemporary Fashion. Web. 01 Jan. 2010.
