IT is that time of the year when the mighty sky can turn out to be quite moody! As Boishakh rolls into Sraban, the busy bees of Dhaka city must be prepared. During this erratic weather it is very important for you to carry an umbrella, a defense against the pouring rains or the fiery summer sun. An umbrella is a must-have item to carry when you are outside in such feisty weather. 

Consider the opening and the closing mechanisms
Primarily, mechanical and automatic umbrellas are widely available, which have different opening and closing mechanisms. The biggest mistake you could make while umbrella shopping is by not running a trial. This can lead to really difficult situations. Just imagine: You are running late for work, it is pouring like crazy and you are unable to open the umbrella because its button is just too stiff! 

It is very important that you open and close the umbrella a couple of times before you decide to buy it. 

Fabric 
Most umbrellas that are available are waterproof and wind-resistant, and have a Teflon or nylon coating. However, be aware that there are some umbrellas that are very light and are not waterproof and wind-resistant. These are great to carry around during spring when the weather is not too unpredictable. However, given the nature of our summer season, you have to be careful that you are buying a waterproof and wind-resistant umbrella. 

Number of ribs and size of umbrella
You will find that there are umbrellas of varying number of "ribs." These are responsible for giving your umbrella its canopy shape, strength and for making sure the opening and closing mechanism works. 

Strong and wind-resistant umbrellas usually have eighteen ribs. The problem with an eighteen-rib umbrella is that it does not usually fold and you will have to carry it around like a walking stick. Although it can act as a great weapon for self-defense, it is not easy to carry around, especially if you have to hop onto a bus every day. 

In contrast, the six-rib umbrellas are all foldable. You can easily fit them in your purse or briefcase, but these will most likely not give you much protection against a storm. 

Prints and colours
Umbrellas come in varying prints and colours so why not complement them with your outfit of the day? There are the old-fashioned yet classy black umbrellas that match any outfit. There are also solid monochrome umbrellas that brighten your look of the day. Vibrant umbrellas with prints ranging from geometric, polka dots and stripes to floral, butterflies and leopard prints can add a unique charm to your rainy day outfit. For instance, if you are wearing a dull grey outfit, you can pair it with a lemon yellow or pink polka dotted umbrella. These little 'portable roofs over our heads' can be used as a fashion accessory and cheer you up on a gloomy rainy day. 

Where to shop for umbrellas
Large departmental stores such as Shwapno, Meena Bazar and Agora have a wide range of umbrellas for working professionals, teenagers and children. Shopping malls have smaller stores that sell children's toys, shoes and various assortments of home products and they also sell such umbrellas. Lightweight children's umbrellas range from Tk 170-250. Larger and stronger umbrellas are priced from Tk 300-700.

Accessorise your look with fashionable yet fully functional umbrellas. Experiment with different looks and enjoy a day out in the rain. Make them your dependable friend so that you are always prepared, and of course looking fabulous.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Arpita
Wardrobe: Le Reve
Make-up: Farzana Shakil
Photoshoot coordinator: Hridi