Parasols: a Fashion Statement or Protection from the Sun

Parasols! Are they just a lovely fashion accessory designed for women to make a fashion statement or are they for a woman to guarantee she is protected from damaging sun rays? Either way, a woman who is aware of fashion and protection knows a parasol is no longer a fashion accessory of the past.

Yesterday's female was more aware of fashions and the mechanics of usage when wearing a particular accessory or item. Today we simply look at something in the store and desire to own it. Women of today buy because we like an item. It may go good with another outfit in our closet, the color appeals to us or we desire a new outfit for a special occasion.

In yonder years, a parasol was used when a woman wanted to keep the sun away and to add to her outfit. Maybe they were quite aware of the style, however, if you look back in the Victorian Era or even the old west, you see the parasol was a fashion accessory women carried or wore when they were out.

Parasols have been a thing of the past for generations. Some women did and still do not know what a parasol was. Others wondered why you might see a woman now and then carrying the item or even wondered why some women would have an umbrella open when there was no rain. However, now every once in a blue moon you see a woman, wearing a very classy outfit, carrying a parasol. She is the fashion trendsetter who is aware or her style, has self confidence and uses the parasol when the sun is out, beaming down with a vengeance.

Now, today with the intensity of the sun and its damaging UV rays, women need to rethink their attire. Consider items that will provide appeal, yet also have some underlying mechanics to them. Carry a parasol whenever you might be out and about. When going out for dinner in the late afternoon or evening sun, carry a parasol. When you are going out to meet others for an afternoon of shopping or for a day of fun and excitement, carry a parasol.

Forget about what others might say when they see you wearing this item. When our bodies are crying for protection and care, remember to provide the protection it needs. Or, you will be sorry later when the years begin to add signs of age and damage.

Generally, women have or might even wear a hat when going out. However, a hat is not practical for protection from the sun. While it can provide a little protection, a hat cannot be angled to protect your face from sun rays coming from all directions. Remember, there will be days when the heat is intense. You need something that can be angled to shield your face at every angle. A parasol is the answer.

A hat, a scarf and now a parasol: All are quite nice accessories for those hot days when the temperature reaches the high eighties or above. In late Greece 5 BC, no lady who considered herself a lady or a woman of class who knew her fashion must haves would even think of appearing outside without her parasol.

During the Grecian feast of Ancient Sciras, the priestess of the goddesses from the Acropolis carried a white parasol. During the festivities, the parasol had religious connotations.

Today, one in five or 55 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer. The increase of over twelve hundred percent since 1930 has been blamed on exposure to the sun. The thing is, Melanoma cancer is preventable. Simple changes such as the amount of time in the sun and not exposing your body to direct sunlight can prevent melanoma. Prevention is quite simple: either cover up totally or do not go out in the sun.
A parasol used anytime when outside in the sun can prevent or decrease your chances of melanoma significantly.

Therefore, the next time you see a woman carrying a parasol during the heat of the day "Don't laugh." She may just be passing along a fashion statement that not only makes her look stylish, she could be ultimately providing you with the means of saving your life.

Source:

My Sister the Trendsetter
http://www.pamf.org/skincancer/