A Time in History: A Parasol Forgotten, or Reasons Why I Don't Have My Parasol

You've seen them. The events where reenactresses stroll the grounds in otherwise (sometimes) lovely and (occasionally) correct clothes and headwear but then wielding a hideous monstrosity of a 20th century parasol-the dreaded battenburg parasol.

From Recollections. Please only purchase their items for
NON historical use. None of it is remotely correct.

I began to ponder just why one would see this as acceptable. Do they simply not know what 1860's parasols looked like? Do they feel, like I did when I first started, that they must have a parasol if they have a fashion bonnet and are just making do? Well, while that may be true (fashion bonnets do not cover your face so you do need a parasol to actually shade your face from the sun), I (now) feel as though it would be best to simply have no parasol and to explain your disappearing parasol away than have a glaringly incorrect one at your disposal. I would much rather have someone tell me why they don't have a parasol than have to look past a modern parasol and pretend it is correct.

Now when I first started, I did believe that one had to have a parasol if one was wearing a fashion bonnet and thought, for some strange reason, that a bad parasol was better than no parasol (it isn't, just so you know). Thankfully, I had some sense and did some research before purchasing. I ended up covering a kid's battenburg parasol with silk and using that for my first event before I was able to find an original in my budget and recover that. While not great, it was better than actually using an adult sized battenburg parasol as is. But now I know better. And have 33 original parasols at my disposal that I can use instead so no more of that.

I wish I had someone to tell me to not waste time and money on an incorrect parasol and to go without for a weekend back when I started. So for all you who are new to living history, or at least to the progressive side of things, I have collected 30 (and expanding) excuses as to why a lady may not have her parasol with her at the very moment. If you do not currently have a correct parasol to use at events and are needing to explain away your parasol-less-ness, please see below and use any of these that strikes your fancy (and consider a bonnet veil for some level of shade).

30 Reasons Why I Don't Have My Parasol

I left it in my room and did not realize until we had already left.
I have managed to misplace my parasol. I am quite sure it is in my room... some place.
My servant has misplaced my parasol.
I left my parasol in the carriage.
My mischievous little sister borrowed it to accompany Mother on a visit without my permission and now I am parasol-less until they return!
Spring cleaning has made rather a mess of the house and I cannot find my parasol anywhere!
My father accidentally sat upon my parasol and has cracked the stick. I have ordered a new one from a manufacturer and I am to pick it up next week.
I left it at ___ business this morning as I was shopping. I have sent someone to fetch it but they have not yet returned.
My puppy found it and has chewed my parasol to bits! It is, unfortunately, beyond repair but I am going to town tomorrow to purchase a new one.
I had to use my parasol just yesterday to hit a man who came up to rob me. My poor parasol was broken in the defense and has to be repaired.*
My parasol broke and my new one is not finished yet. I may have to go to town and purchase a parasol to use in the meantime.
I believe left my poor parasol at ___'s house yesterday as I was paying a call. I have sent for it but it has not found its way back home as of yet.
I am new to town and I did not bring my parasol with me as I intended to purchase a new one when I arrived. Would you believe that the latest styles has just sold out yesterday and they are not getting new stock until next week?
My brothers decided to use my parasol as a play sword and have managed to crack a rib. It is currently being repaired and I have, as of yet, no replacement.
I forgot to bring my parasol.
My sister's cat managed to get hold of my parasol and has torn the poor cover to bits!
It must have dropped out of my hand when I stepped into the carriage. I know I had it before then but when I got settled and we were on our way, it was no where to be found.
Yesterday, while I was walking it town, I dropped it in the mud. It is currently being repaired.
I left it in my pocket as I was shopping this afternoon and as I got home, realized my pocket had a large hole in the bottom! My poor parasol must have slipped through. Goodness knows if I will ever get it back. I will have to go back to town tomorrow to see if anyone has found it. If not, I suppose I'll have to purchase a new one.
My toddler managed to take hold of some scissors while no one was paying her mind. Unfortunately, my parasol was not the only thing cut to pieces before anyone noticed. When I get to town, I shall also have to have new dining room drapes made.
My family has just moved here and are as of yet, still unpacking. I am not quite sure where my parasol is right now.
A neighbor was walking me home from church and my parasol fell into the creek as we were crossing the bridge. The brave young man attempted to rescue my dear parasol but alas, his efforts were in vein.
While walking this morning, I ran across a snake. In fear, I hurriedly dropped my parasol and ran off. I shall not go back to retrieve the parasol until I am quite sure the snake is gone!
When returning home from visiting my brother, the ferry capsized and everything we were carrying was lost. My husband was able to save myself and our baby, but my parasol was lost.**
I am out to visit for the day, and would you believe that in my haste to pack, I have forgotten my dear parasol!
Several friends and I picnicked yesterday and I seem to have left my parasol in the woods. I have sent letters to my friends and ask if they have happened to find it hiding away in their picnic baskets as it was not in mine.
After taking a stroll this morning, I carelessly tossed my parasol onto a chair then unwittingly sat upon the poor thing to take off my shoes. The dear parasol was crushed and is no longer in a condition to be of service.
My dear daughter, who is five, used my parasol in play and appears to have misplaced it. She cannot remember where she has put it and we are still searching!
Well, you see, yesterday the winds were so strong, that they broke several of my parasol ribs! I have sent it with my husband to take to the parasol manufacturer to see if it can be repaired.
Several friends and I were wagon racing and my brother, who was driving, managed to drive us right into the creek! As we suddenly stopped, my parasol went flying into the creek and by the time my brother retrieved it, it was too far gone to be saved.***

*The stories just in Texas about women using their parasols as weapons against robbers, unwanted sexual advances, etc, is quite interesting. I've only been through the 1850's so far and there were at least 3 or 4 just in the 10 newspapers I searched.
**Inspired by a Groce story in 1831. Edwin Groce had just come to Texas and was staying with his sister, Sarah, her husband, William, and their infant son. They spent a day visiting Jared IV and on the way home, the ferry toppled over due to the current caused by lots of rain. William got Sarah and the baby to safety then went back for Edmund but he had been swept away and was presumed dead. Although a parasol is not mentioned in the story, had Sarah had one, it would have been no more.
***Inspired by another Groce story. Again, no parasol mentioned, but IF one were around, this would be the likely scenario. That's basically what I do here-take historical stories, then add a parasol. Because every story needs a parasol.

And a bonus one: If you are wearing a corded or slat bonnet and/or are working, you don't need a parasol. You can claim you have one but you only use it to go to town and church. Memorize details of a dream parasol from a museum collection and describe in great detail 'your' parasol to other living historians and spectators alike. No one ever has to know...

One may also use an umbrella if a parasol is no where to be found. I have seen photographs of sunny days where a woman is carrying an umbrella as shade. It doesn't seem to be the norm, but it is an option. That opens up a whole new set of no parasol excuses.

And yes, most of these excuses are a bit overboard. But depending on the situation, they may add to your character and some 19th century life for spectators. In addition to these excuses, you may also add a detailed description of 'your' parasol to spectators to add even a greater level of detail (see above).

For now, I shall leave you with some images of original parasols to get the image of the battenburg I shared earlier out of your mind.