If you live in the UK, you know that a rain cloud is never really far off.
Even if a day starts off promisingly enough with sunshine and blue skies, it’s not unusual to see hail, and rain in the same 12 hours, even if weather reports assure you otherwise.
Our infamous weather does have a silver lining; a chance to display your rainy day style with a stylish umbrella.
From cloud-patterned linings with hopes to manifest sunnier skies, to models that promise never to turn inside out no matter how hard the wind howls, the UK has dozens of umbrellas to bring a cheerful smile to gloomy days.
They can also be used as a parasol to shade from the sun when the rays are particularly strong. A word to the wise: never before has the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ rung so true as when talking about umbrellas. Although many models are available cheaply, it will pay to invest in a great model to see you through the years, come rain or shine.
We’ve rounded up the best below - shop now
Best umbrellas at a glance
- Best for eco-warriors: totes Auto Walker Wood Handle Block Stripe Print - £25, totes
- Best for putting a spring in your step: Pasotti Spring Floral Umbrella - £125, Artemest
- Best for a hi-tech brolly: Repel Umbrella Store Windproof Travel Umbrella - £24.99, Amazon
- Best for an ergonomic, quick-dry dream: Conlun Store Compact Umbrella - £13.59, Amazon
- Best for best of British: Fortnum’s Kensington Walking Umbrella, Eau de Nil - £40, F&M
- Best for singing in the rain: Rainbow Umbrella - £26.98, Amazon
- Best for wanderlust: Fulton Brollymap umbrella - £19, Selfridges
- Best for impeccable style: Original Duckhead brolly in Matisse - £36, Trouva
- Best for a highland fling: Barbour Mini Tartan Umbrella - £36.95, John Lewis
- Best for the fashion crowd: London Undercover Navy Polkadot Umbrella - £75, END
- Best for small but mighty: Blunt Umbrellas Metro Umbrella - £67.95, Amazon
- Best for silver linings: Smiley Face Folding Umbrella - £25, Amazon
totes Auto Walker Wood Handle Block Stripe Print
Best for: eco-warriors
The company totes is one of the best known purveyors of umbrellas and it’s just released a new collection with an eco-friendly edge. Made from 100 per cent GRS Certified Recycled PET Fabric (made used recycled bottles), the brand has taken great care to use recycled materials where it can, from handles to waterproof finishings. As well as full-length brollies, there are compact designs to stow in your bag, just in case. Lovers of bold prints and bright colours will adore this walker-style design featuring a statement stripe in grey, pink, coral and yellow.
Buy now £25.00, totes
Pasotti Spring Floral Umbrella
Best for: putting a spring in your step
Make it spring at any time of the year with the help of this pretty brolly, covered with a riot of blooms. The luxe gold-coloured handle is finished with a blue acetate handle, curved to make handling the design easier. There’s an automatic opening too, so no fumbling or struggling at the first sign of drizzle.
Buy now £125.00, Artemest
Repel Umbrella Store Windproof Travel Umbrella
Best for: a hi-tech brolly
This rather unremarkable-looking umbrella is hiding a helpful secret. The canopy is upheld with fibreglass ribs and has been finished with a Teflon coating, so raindrops roll straight off, cutting down drying time.
The design is also windproof with a double-vented canopy to yield to strong winds rather than try to resist them and end up breaking. It can also be opened and closed with one hand, handy when you’ve got a handful of shopping or an excitable pet.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Conlun Store Compact Umbrella
Best for: an ergonomic, quick-dry dream
This large compact brolly with a span of 105cm is not only coated with Teflon to stop raindrops collecting, but it’s designed to close in an inverted fashion to prevent humidity and dampness spreading elsewhere in your bag or car.
There are thoughtful touches everywhere, including the ergonomic handle that is comfortable to hold even in strong gales. Despite the heavy duty iron alloy uprights, it’s impressively light at 0.5kg.
Buy now £13.29, Amazon
Fortnum’s Kensington Walking Umbrella, Eau de Nil
Best for: best of British
Wind, rain or sun; take shelter under F&M’s distinctive walking umbrella, which comes in the luxury London’s duck egg blue shade or a more subtle black. The curved wooden handle and shaft on the Kensington design make it comfortable to hold, whatever the weather.
Buy now £40.00, F&M
Rainbow Umbrella
Best for: singing in the rain
Brighten up grey days by unfurling all the bright and beautiful colours of the rainbow. An improvement to any overcast day, the design features an automatic opening. Best of all, with a 100cm canopy, you can fit two people underneath comfortably underneath.
This umbrella is also available for express delivery for Prime members.
Buy now £27.98, Amazon
Fulton Brollymap umbrella
Best for: wanderlust
Being caught short in the rain is one thing, but being lost with a dead phone is, we can all agree, a total nightmare. But depending on where you are, you may be able to navigate a corner of the capital with the help of Fulton’s Brollymap design. With a canopy spanning 95cm, the wind-resistant frame matched with high-performance fabric will be your BFF in times of meteorological trouble. Comes with a matching slip-on cover.
Buy now £18.00, Selfridges
Original Duckhead brolly in Matisse
Best for: impeccable style
How many times have you walked past a heap of broken umbrellas ditched in a bin after a downpour? The cheap ones never last, which is why it pays to invest in something with better quality. Original Duckhead is an icon in the brolly world, and comes in a selection of fun colours to make rainy days ones you might actually look forward to.
The strong wooden duck-themed handle fits perfectly in your grip, while the brolly's span is wide enough to offer shelter to you and a friend if you're happy to share. There are plenty of colours and patterns to brighten up your look too, including this cheerful Matisse-themed look. Dark clouds? Bring them on.
Buy now £36.00, Trouva
Barbour Mini Tartan Umbrella
Best for: a Highland fling
The outerwear company based in South Shields is a fan favourite with a collection of designs that almost make us wish for rain. Alongside its famous wax-coated jackets, you can also pick up this smart dark navy and green tartan umbrella finished with a wooden handle.
Buy now £36.95, John Lewis
London Undercover Whangee Cane Crook Handle Orange Telescopic Foldable Umbrella
Best for: the fashion crowd
The only umbrella brand stocked on Matches - and which counts collaborations with Fred Perry, Monocle, Carhartt and A Bathing Ape in its impressive archive - London Undercover is one for the devoted fashion fans. From the bamboo handles that echo Gucci's Diana bag to the premium textiles and quintessentially British aesthetic, it's no surprise.
Buy now £75.00, END
Blunt Umbrellas Metro Umbrella
Best for: small but mighty
Although Blunt Umbrella's Metro Umbrella will stow easily away in a backpack or tote bag, don't be fooled by its compact size. With a 39.4-inch canopy, windproof credentials and an automatic-opening function, you'll be protected against anything winter has to throw your way at the click of a button.
If green's not your colour, there are eight others to choose from. Take your pick.
Buy now £69.95, Amazon
Smiley Face Folding Umbrella
Best for: silver linings
Dark clouds will have a hard time dampening your day when you've got this brolly tucked away in your bag. Featuring a sunny smiley design on the inside, the collapsible design is coated with a UV finish and is windproof too, giving you more of a shield against the elements.
Buy now £21.00, Amazon
