Throwing Shade Since Forever: A Love Letter to the Sun Umbrella

Long before sunscreen slid into your beach bag, before sunnies perched on every Insta model’s nose, and way before air con saved us all from meltdown - there was the OG sun protection: the parasol. Yep, your great-great-great granny’s favourite fashion flex was also the chicest way to block those UVs. And guess what? We’re bringing it back. At sunboli, we’re throwing shade (literally) on climate change - and we’re doing it with style.

The Victorian Era: When Shade Was a Status Symbol

Let’s rewind to the 1800s, when the parasol wasn’t just a cute add-on - it was the must-have accessory. Think silk, lace, hand-carved handles, and delicate embroidery. These babies weren’t mass-produced; they were art.

Back then, sun protection was the vibe. A sun tan? Absolutely not. That was for people who worked outside. The parasol was a major flex. Women coordinated them with their outfits, and fashion houses sold them in matching sets. Parasol etiquette was even a thing. 

So… What Happened? How Parasols Got Ghosted

Let’s spill the tea.

☀️ Tanning Took Over
By the 1920s, the sun-kissed look was hot. Coco Chanel came back from holiday with a tan, and suddenly everyone wanted to look like they’d just stepped off a yacht. Pale skin was out, and parasols? Dropped like a bad trend.

🧴 The Birth of Sunscreen
Science got involved in the '30s and gave us chemical sunblock. It was convenient, fast, and fit in a handbag. Who needed to carry a literal umbrella when you could just slather something on?

👜 Fashion Got… Functional
As the decades rolled on, women’s fashion got simpler (hello, jeans), and accessories like gloves, hats - and yep, parasols - were labelled “fussy.” Umbrellas became rain-only, and shade became an afterthought.

Why Parasols Deserve Their Comeback Moment

We get it - times change. But so does the planet. UV levels are up, heatwaves are wild, and your skin? Still deserves protection. Here’s why the parasol is the comeback queen we all need:

• It actually works. Like, blocks-90%-of-UV-rays kind of works. No reapplying every two hours. No sticky, oily residue.

• It’s eco AF. No plastic bottles, no reef damage, no single-use anything. Just one chic tool that’ll last years.

• It turns heads. Parasols are walking that fine line between vintage glam and new-era cool. Want to stand out at the park, a festival, or a protest? Bring the shade.
  
  

Meet sunboli: Your Modern-Day Shade Dealer

We’re not here for boring parasols. sunboli brollies are crafted from breathable, sustainable hemp - so they’re as planet-friendly as they are pretty. We’ve taken the best parts of old-school design and made them lighter, sleeker, and ready for everyday life.

Stroll city streets. Lounge at the beach. March for climate justice. Whatever your vibe, carry shade like you mean it.

In Conclusion: Let’s Make Shade Cool Again

Victorian fashionistas had the right idea - parasols were stylish, effective, and low-key iconic. It’s time we brought them back, not just as a nod to history, but as a power move for the future.

Sun protection doesn’t have to be boring. Shade is in. sunboli is here.

Join the movement. Carry shade with you.