"Charlotte was to go,. . . & to buy new Parasols, new Gloves,
& new Brooches, for her sisters & herself at the Library. . ."
Sanditon; Chapter 2
The exquisite creamy complexion of the Regency maid, though a far cry from the powdered beauties of the previous century, required much care, if one wished to avoid, (gasp!), a sunburn or freckles. Thus, the bonnet and parasol were essential to outdoor activities. The word "parasol" literally means "to shield from the sun" and though they could be made of anything from lace to cotton and silk, they could also be effective against light rain.
The history of these portable, folding shades, goes back to ancient times- Egypt, Greece, Rome and China all saw versions of them, as expensive accessories for the well dressed lady. The ideal we most readily call to mind was invented as early as 21 AD when a description of a folding umbrella was recorded in China.
Not quite as "manly" as umbrellas, they were certainly just as practical. The parasol continued to increase in popularity until the Edwardian era. Trimmed with a variety of materials from silk tassels to cotton lace, they were made to complement any outfit or occasion, as these images from Ackermann's Repository show.
Laura Boyle is fascinated by all aspects of Jane Austen's life. She is the proprietor of Austentation: Regency Accessories, creating custom hats, bonnets, reticules and more for customers around the globe. Her work can be found in the Jane Austen Centre's Blog, Jane Austen's Regency World, and other Austen related works. Cooking with Jane Austen and Friends is her first book. Laura's greatest joy is the time she is able to spend at home with her family (1 amazing husband, 5 adorable children, 2 hamsters, a papaya loving rabbit and 1 very strange dog).