The umbrella is most often used when the weather forecast predicts unexpected downpours or when the sky is pouring rain. It's pulled out when the weather is gloomy. A shield against the raindrops, this waterproof accessory has another function in Japan: it also protects against the sun's rays. Armed against UV radiation, the umbrella is the new parasol.<\/p>\n
The umbrella's role is evident in its name. This accessory, which unfolds as needed to weather the elements and keeps our hairstyles in place when the clouds turn gray, finds its way into our palms as soon as the sky becomes threatening. More waterproof than a raincoat<\/a> hood, it keeps us dry when it's pouring outside. Now, the umbrella is no longer confined to a specific season. It's no longer limited to March showers or the dreary weather of autumn. It shelters our heads even when the country is experiencing heat waves<\/a> and the atmosphere resembles that of the desert.<\/p>\n Many fashion enthusiasts prefer the umbrella to the ever-present baseball cap or the classic boater hat<\/a> . Once criticized for being cumbersome, taking up too much space in public, or even ruining the harmony of outfits, the umbrella has definitively become a staple in our hands, rain or shine, whether it's raining, snowing, or 40\u00b0C in the sun. On social media, the umbrella has become an extension of the arm, but also a statement of personal style. It's no longer just a utilitarian object to be closed as soon as it's opened.<\/p>\n It's a style accessory, the hallmark of cool girls, the ones who sip matcha and stroll with effortless nonchalance. Championed primarily by women from Japan and Korea, the umbrella is the new holy grail of fashion. \u201cCan we normalize umbrella use in summer?\u201d asks content creator @noisetier. \u201cThe sun is getting more and more dangerous, so the umbrella is becoming part of my outfit,\u201d agrees @nysaisalone<\/a> . <\/p>\n\n