A cane umbrella is an accessory that distinguishes a gentleman from an ordinary person in the same way that a katana distinguishes a samurai from a man in a bathrobe. Umbrellas do not lose their relevance all year round, but it is with the onset of the autumn rainy season that many men begin to think about how to hide from the rain and look cool at the same time. An umbrella-cane will help with this: convenient, simple, solid.
The cane umbrella is a kind of reference to the period of chivalry, when every self-respecting man walked with a sword or sword at his belt. Let's figure out how to choose a reliable accessory for a modern knight, how to properly care for it and how to wear it so as not to look ridiculous on the Russian streets.
The cane umbrella is a reference to the romanticism of the knightly era
From the history of the umbrella
Disputes about the exact place of the invention of this subject between pundits do not subside until now. Some say with confidence that the umbrella appeared in China, others call the Middle East its homeland, and still others point to India. All theories are solid and smart, but we will decide in a simpler way: according to the time frame, the idea of picking up a portable roof appeared in different parts of the world almost at the same time.
Models of ancient umbrellas are no less interesting than the history of their appearance. For example, in China, emperors preferred multi-tiered structures that resemble a pagoda in shape. Sun umbrellas in ancient India were distinguished by their extensive dimensions and rich decoration.
In Europe, the umbrella cane was most popular among men.
'Portable sheds' came to Europe only in the 18th century. It is believed that the first European to erect a 4.5 kg umbrella-shaped structure was Jones Hanway. This mass is due to the fact that his spokes were made of strong whale bones. In Russia, umbrellas became popular only in the 19th century. Before that, they hid from the rain under dense outer clothing: burkas, epanches and kaftans with hoods.
Nowadays, umbrella canes are more compact in size. A classic option for a man is the 'dome' model, consisting of 8-10 black wedges. The total length of the structure from the tip to the extreme point of the handle can reach 90 centimeters. A variety of styles is present, however, men who adhere to the classic style of clothing prefer the most ascetic models.
Models of umbrella-canes
Walking umbrellas are most popular with men. They are durable, quality models do not turn inside out, even in strong winds. Anti-wind styles with an elongated dome are especially reliable. Unlike folding models, cane umbrellas consist of only three main parts: a frame with knitting needles, a shaft and a handle.
Most modern models of cane umbrellas have automatic opening mechanisms. Although the classics – umbrellas with a mechanical opening system, in which the user opens the canopy on his own – leads the sales in the 'super premium' price category. The rich have their quirks.
The umbrella cane consists of three parts – a frame with knitting needles, a rod and a handle
The color variety of models is great, however, given the noble references to the times of chivalry, balls and Victorian officialdom, it will be appropriate for adults, accomplished and balanced men to opt for black, gray and brown colors, as well as their shades. At the same time, a light ornament (stripe and check) in the tone of the dome is acceptable even for strict models. But red, camouflage and similar flashy colors of umbrellas for men are too extravagant options. They create an accent on the umbrella not as an accessory that matches the image, but as an element of the image that will draw attention to itself, create stereotypes about its owner.
If we talk about the handles of umbrella canes, the designers offer gentlemen a classic shape of a hook or handle, reminiscent of the knobs of traditional canes. You can pick up umbrellas with handles in the form of cars, stylized on the theme of samurai and knightly swords, in the form of a female body and many other performances, but this format should be classified as experimental – boldly, loudly, can mislead others.
The best material for a canopy is pongee
Transparent cane umbrellas are also a challenge to the public, as are the colorful styles. However, in order to slightly stir up the gray Russian autumn or impress a girl, a transparent invisible dome is perfect.
Secrets of choosing umbrellas
In a store or when receiving an umbrella by mail, you need to check the concavity of the spokes, the material of the dome, the strength of the rod and the convenience of the handle (touch, read, shake, open).
Dome material
It can be very diverse, from pongee to nylon. The most common choice is polyester, a durable material that looks like satin fabric. Cotton thread is often added to colored models of such umbrellas. To improve the water-repellent effect, the dome can be covered with a thin layer of Teflon, which slightly changes its shade depending on the lighting.
The shape and strength of the dome depend on the number of spokes.
The best option is considered to be pongee – a thick fabric that resembles a raincoat fabric. A cane umbrella made of such material easily repels rain drops, and if you shake them off, the dome will remain practically dry. Nylon is the worst option, when wet this fabric can stretch a lot. The paint on nylon does not hold well, in the rain there is a threat of molting of the dome. Information on the material of the dome can be found in the 'tongue' of the buckle.
Spokes
The needles are the 'ribs' of any umbrella. Most often made from metals such as steel and aluminum. For cane umbrellas, fiberglass is often used, which is distinguished by good flexibility, strength and durability. A combination of plastic and metal knitting needles is also acceptable.
Check the umbrella for any looseness before purchasing
The number of 'ribs' can be different, but the minimum is 8 pieces, this affects the shape and strength of the dome. It is important that the spokes are fixed with the curved side up, otherwise the umbrella will turn out at the slightest gust of wind. But the spring (which is in any umbrella) only helps to open the dome.
Kernel
The shaft of a cane umbrella is the most reliable part. The material of manufacture does not play a fundamental role. Shake the umbrella a little while checking. If there is a backlash, then the rod is poorly fixed. Such a product will quickly become unusable.
The handles are different, but the classic are the 'hook' and 'knob' shapes
The shape of the handle can be anything from a hook to a sword handle. It is important that this part of the umbrella is comfortable and anatomically suitable for the grip of the palm. The material for most pens is plastic, which is easy to shape and color.
What is the umbrella cane combined with?
A cane umbrella cannot be hidden in a briefcase or backpack. This accessory is always in sight, so you need to know what to wear with it. Since the cane umbrella is a classic item, traditional costumes (trousers, shirt, jacket, shoes) are suitable for it. In cool weather, you can put on a double-breasted raincoat without shoulder straps or a coat in the style of Chesterfield, Crombie, Raglan or similar English models.
The color of the umbrella should be in harmony with the suit. If you are waiting for a meeting with strict rules of etiquette, then take with you an exclusively black umbrella-cane. Otherwise, you will be recognized as a person who is completely ignorant of secular ethics.
The cane umbrella goes well with classic clothes of strict styles
The cane umbrella is an element of the classic style of clothing; it should not be combined with jeans, bomber jackets and other things from a modern wardrobe. It cannot be forbidden, but it will look at the level of an impeccable katana in the hands of a knight in full armor: it seems that you can use it, but swords are more functional for full armor, and it looks ridiculous. Everything has its place. For bombers and other things, you can easily pick up other models.
How to dry, store and care for
In order for a product to serve for years, you need to adhere to the following rules:
- Dry the umbrella cane half-open. To do this, you can use a special stand or simply hang the umbrella by the handle 'upside down' so that water runs well from the dome.
- Fold and put the umbrella cane in the cover only after it dries well. Otherwise, residual water in the folds will create an unpleasant odor and the spokes will start to rust.
- If dirt gets on the umbrella, it must be removed with a sponge dipped in warm soapy water.
- Store the umbrella in a dry ventilated area as far as possible from hot pipes, stoves and other household appliances.
These simple rules will extend the life of your umbrella for years and also keep it water-repellent.
Conclusion
The cane umbrella is a solid accessory that requires not only proper care, but also etiquette. This 'portable canopy' differs from the folding models by its structural reliability, and its only drawback is its bulkiness.
