Let’s talk umbrellas. What is the first thing you think of when someone asks you about umbrellas? You probably recall that little umbrella that came with a purse or the beat up one you keep in your car for those “just in case” situations. But what if you were asked about market umbrellas? Would you have any idea what those were? The answer would probably be no, but you can bet that you have seen one before.

Market umbrellas got their name from how they originally got their start in the outdoor cafes and markets in Europe. Market umbrellas have a distinct look that separates them from other large umbrellas like those used at the beach or on patios. The lack of a valance, which is like a skirting around the umbrella’s edges, marks the look of the sleek, straight lines of the market umbrella.

In addition to those clean lines, the top of the market umbrella has something called a wind vent. Think of it as a vented “hat” that lets air flow through the top and allows wind to escape without the umbrella trying to blow away. This vent feature adds another element that gives the market umbrella its unique and elegant style.

Before the market umbrella was developed, the original umbrella design had gone through many design variations, both mechanically and aesthetically. The first device recognized as an umbrella was developed in ancient times, most notably in Egypt and China. The primary use of these ancient umbrellas was protection from the sun and only royalty used them at that time. Fast forward to the sixteenth and seventeenth century and you would have seen umbrellas used primarily by horsemen to provide a “constant shadow” to ride in or by genteel ladies for sun protection. Back then, pale skin was fashionable so the ladies avoided the sun at all costs.

Keep in mind that hundreds of years ago, it was seen as effeminate if a man used an umbrella. It wasn’t until the eighteenth century that umbrellas started becoming mainstream and used for more than the intended rain and sun protection. The occasional café or coffeehouse would put up a large umbrella in front of their store to protect the passersby and customers from the rain or blinding sun.

As time went by, the idea of the umbrella permanently installed outside caught on. Shopkeepers noticed that customers tended to linger and spend more money thanks to the protection of the umbrella. These umbrellas soon started becoming known as market umbrellas. The materials used to make them in earlier centuries were silk, wood, whalebone, and even animal hides. However, these materials degraded rapidly without proper care.

Today, the market umbrella is a lot sturdier with wood or steel reinforcements. The materials used like cotton, canvas, plastic and nylon helps with not only protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays but also from the rain. They last longer and can be made resistant to fading. In addition, the market umbrella comes in a variety of colors and shapes. However, keep in mind that market umbrellas are not just for commercial applications any more. They work wonderfully for any outdoor venue like around a swimming pool or patio.

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