We all know them. The tanorexic. They're slightly orange and never too far from a tanning booth. And as middle age approaches, that sun worship turns their once admirable complexions to a leathery debaucle. At best, they have more wrinkles than their sun-screened counterparts. At worst, they develop skin cancer.
But now a new sun-saving alternative has hit the market. Straight from period films and Gone with the Wind, the Carasol Parasol is a throwback to the days when pale skin connoted high economic status and desirable beauty. Now, it mainly just denotes someone who is willing to stand out in their attempts to avoid UVA and UVB rays.
The Carasol Parasol is designed with UV blocking fabric in ultra-girly styles. Stylish and smart? Definitely. Really something I'd ever use? Probably not.
Because, frankly, while I think this is a good idea… I couldn't actually imagine using it regularly. As I took it out for a spin in the city, numerous people turned their heads upward, looking for the imaginary rain. Others stared. I felt awkward and kind of weird. Maybe on a beach or on a vacation… but on the streets of New York, the Carasol Parasol made me feel a tad out of place.
For those of you who are braver than me, the Carasol Parasol is available at www.carasolparasols.com and costs between $85 and $325.
What do you think of this new way to battle the sun's rays? Would you sport a parasol around town? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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I actually do carry a parasol. Yeah, people do look at you funny, but I don’t really mind, and it’s a damn sight better than the Texas sun beating down on one’s unprotected head.
I would carry one again if I went out more often. Sure you would get those strange looks, but when you become one of the ladies in your age group with less sun-damaged skin (which is enough of a pro in and of itself), you’ll definitely get a double take: So get used to them!
Although it would be hard for me to find matching outfits for those parasols …
I’d definitely carry one – the benefits far outweigh any fleeting embarrassment. Plus, if you rock it in the right outfit, you’ll probably start a trend!
I’m 22 and burn easily, so I carry around a parasol whenever I am out in the sun. At first I was a bit self-conscious, but I got over that quickly (and most people walking down the street really don’t care). Girls my age need to realize that the emphasis placed on tanning is misguided and dangerous. The more women that carry a parasol, the less it will be perceived as “strange.”
I think it is just a question you have to ask yourself, how much do you value your skin? I mean women spend hundreds even thousand of dollars to have “youthful” skin. Makes sense to me to invest in something that you can use everday, rather than some miracle cream or procedure. And as a 22 year old, i am proud to carry around my parasol anyday. In the end at least i won’t look back and think, i should have taken better care of my skin.
I think every new trend is fostered by those bold individuals who say this is a cool idea I am going to set the pace and lead the way. I recently purchased a parasol for myself and my twenty five year old daughter and we both love the look and the protection provided. If you are concerned about what others think then you will wind up with wrinkled skin and regret taking action to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun.