Articolo: The Black Umbrella: Why It Remains the Classic Choice
The Black Umbrella: Why It Remains the Classic Choice
Of all the colours an umbrella can be, black is the one most people reach for first. It is the colour of the traditional British umbrella, and it remains the most practical choice for anyone who wants a single umbrella to carry everywhere: to the office, to a wedding, to the theatre and on an ordinary wet Tuesday.
This guide looks at why a black umbrella has lasted so well, the different ways a black umbrella can be made, and how to keep the canopy looking its best for years.
Why Black Endures
A black umbrella goes with everything. It sits as comfortably beside a charcoal suit as beside a camel coat, a tweed jacket or a waxed coat at the weekend, and it never competes with what is worn beneath it. Colour can be a pleasure, but it asks to be matched; black simply belongs.
It is also the most discreet choice. A black umbrella draws no attention in a meeting, a church or a restaurant cloakroom, and it looks as appropriate at a formal occasion as on the walk to the station. For anyone who wants to own one good umbrella rather than several ordinary ones, black is the natural place to start. The design appeals to anyone who values its design and craftsmanship.
A Black Canopy with a Wooden Handle
Much of the character of a black umbrella comes from what surrounds the canopy. A dark canopy throws the warm tones of a wooden shaft and handle into relief, which is why a black umbrella with a wooden crook is such a familiar and enduring combination.
The Bucklesbury Classic Umbrella in Black is built on a shaft of solid English beechwood from sustainable forests, with a handle made in Germany and a canopy of Japanese-engineered fabric 106 cm across. It is about 91 cm long and weighs about 0.5 kg: a full-length umbrella that is easy to carry over the arm.
The Bucklesbury London Umbrella in Black is made in the most traditional way an umbrella can be made. Its handle and shaft are one continuous length of English chestnut, with no joint between them, beneath a black canopy of Japanese-engineered fabric. The Bucklesbury London Ladies Umbrella in Black is made in the same way from English maple.
Black with a Red Lining
For those who like a black umbrella with a quiet surprise, the Limited Edition Classic Black Umbrella with Red Lining keeps a black exterior and reveals a red lining only when it is opened. Closed and furled, it looks every bit the traditional black umbrella; open, it shows a little more personality. It shares the solid English beechwood shaft and 106 cm canopy of the Bucklesbury Classic Umbrella, and it is currently available to pre-order, for dispatch by 28 November.
A Black Umbrella for the Bag
Not every day suits a full-length umbrella. For travel, commuting or days spent with a bag or briefcase rather than a free hand, the Bucklesbury Telescopic Umbrella in Black folds to 45 cm, opens automatically and has a canopy 102 cm across. Many people keep a full-length black umbrella for the city and a telescopic one for the bag, so that one is always to hand.
Keeping a Black Canopy at Its Best
A black canopy shows its quality when it is looked after. A few habits keep it taut, neat and deep in colour:
- Open it pointing downwards, then lift it above your head.
- Leave it open to dry after use, so that the fabric can breathe.
- Never put it away wet or creased.
- Avoid leaving it in long, direct sunlight, which can fade the canopy.
- Clean the canopy with plain water only, as cleaning products can remove its protective proofing.
- Keep it away from radiators, which can cause a wooden crook handle to lose its shape.
Full care notes are on our Umbrella Care page.
Made in London
Every Bucklesbury umbrella is constructed by hand in London, in small batches, using traditional techniques, in a workshop with umbrella-making heritage dating back to 1805. Each is individually finished by a craftsman, Rain Tested In England™, and dispatched in a cotton cover and a Bucklesbury presentation box, which makes a black umbrella a fitting gift as well as a lasting addition to one's own wardrobe.
Whether you choose the Bucklesbury Classic Umbrella on solid English beechwood, the Bucklesbury London Umbrella in a single length of English chestnut, or the red-lined limited edition, a black umbrella remains the classic choice: the one that suits every occasion and is carried for many years.
