How to Choose a Luxury Umbrella

A luxury umbrella is one you buy once and carry for years. Here is what separates a well-made umbrella from an expensive one, and how to choose the right one for you.

What makes an umbrella a luxury umbrella?

Not the label. Look at how it is made and what it is made from: the shaft, the handle, the canopy fabric and the finish. A luxury umbrella is built by hand, from good materials, and finished with care.

Four things to check

Is the shaft solid wood or hollow metal?

Many mass-produced umbrellas use a hollow metal shaft. A solid wooden shaft feels more substantial in the hand and ages well with use. The Bucklesbury Classic Umbrella is built on a shaft of solid English beechwood.

Is the handle joined to the shaft, or one piece with it?

The most traditional umbrellas are cut from a single length of wood, with no joint between handle and shaft. The Bucklesbury London Umbrella is made this way from English chestnut, and the London Ladies Umbrella from English maple. See our guide to the woods.

What is the canopy made of, and how big is it?

The canopy should be generous and taut when open and fold neatly when closed. Bucklesbury canopies are made from Japanese-engineered canopy fabric: 106 cm across on the Classic and London umbrellas, 102 cm on the Telescopic. See our size guide.

Was it made by hand?

Every Bucklesbury umbrella is constructed by hand in London using traditional techniques, in small batches in a traditional London workshop, and individually finished by a craftsman.

Which Bucklesbury umbrella should I choose?

Which is the most traditional?

The London Umbrella (£255), made from one continuous length of English chestnut.

Which is the best everyday umbrella?

The Classic Umbrella (£175): full length, a solid English beechwood shaft and a 106 cm canopy, in a wide range of colours.

Which is best for travel?

The Telescopic Umbrella (£135), which folds to 45 cm and opens automatically.

Which makes the best gift?

Every Bucklesbury umbrella is dispatched in a cotton cover and a Bucklesbury presentation box. See our gift ideas.

Questions? See our FAQ or see all umbrellas.