The other day I went to work at the preschool in the morning and my conversation school in the afternoon. This humidity and heat kills me, though, and even though I purposefully wore white and cotton, I had sweat about five gallons by the time I got to my conversation classes. So on my train ride, I made the decision to get myself a parasol and I stopped in the store next to my station and picked one up.
Now, I was not sure what the difference was, if any existed, between an umbrella and a parasol. Most of the parasols I've seen around Japan have been black, lace-y, and carried by old women. So I was slightly surprised to find two separate sections of umbrellas in the store. One seemed purely full of rain umbrellas. The other had a smattering of frills to it and so I assumed this to be the parasol section. I thought that this was the only thing separating the rain-deflectors from the sun-rejectors, but hoo, how wrong I was.
These are the labels from the parasol I eventually bought. Now, I don't know Japanese, but I like to think I can understand them anyway (that there are English translations helps too).
The top left label reads something like this:
"Precautions for Use!
This product has a pointed end. Be sure to check the safety of your surroundings before using umbrella.
Do not use the umbrella as a walking stick.
Do not use the umbrella if the handle of the rib tips are damaged.
Do not swing or throw the umbrella around.
Do not use the umbrella against gale force wind as it may break.
Do not touch the rib structure of the umbrella.
When the umbrella is not completely dry, keep it away from clothing and other items as it may cause color transfer.
*Please watch young children when they use the umbrella."
Unfortunately, the tag below had something else to say about the color fastness of the product:
"UVoutex Fabrics
Healthy, Cool, Comfortable
This fabric, absorbs and dramatically reduces ultraviolet rays
protects your skin from these damaging ultraviolet rays
keeps you more comfortable and cooler because of its unique shading qualities
has the qualities of colorfastness, softness and is durable through frequent washings"
So is it colorfast or not? Only time and an unexpected shower will tell.
3 comments:
How about a photo with you donning the parasol on your shoulder Genny?
And I think wearing cotton was a key source of your perspiration. I haven't worn cotton in years. Synthetics have so surpassed cotton, it's not even funny. If I were to wear a cotton t-shirt now, I would feel completely suffocated so inferior is cotton's breathability compared to synthetics (like Coolmax, etc.).
I recommend Mountain Hard Wear brand clothes for all occasions, as they will keep your appropriately cool in all conditions, or at worse, allow your sweat to evaporate quickly.
Cotton, like e-mail, is dead.
How about a photo with you donning the parasol on your shoulder Genny?
And I think wearing cotton was a key source of your perspiration. I haven't worn cotton in years. Synthetics have so surpassed cotton, it's not even funny. If I were to wear a cotton t-shirt now, I would feel completely suffocated so inferior is cotton's breathability compared to synthetics (like Coolmax, etc.).
I recommend Mountain Hard Wear brand clothes for all occasions, as they will keep your appropriately cool in all conditions, or at worse, allow your sweat to evaporate quickly.
Cotton, like e-mail, is dead.
Unfortunately, Jason, I can't take a photo of myself, hold a parasol, and look so good. Maybe some day someone else's camera lens will catch me with my parasol a-twirlin'.
I disagree with you about cotton. While there are synthetics out there that specialize in keeping you cool, I stand by the assertion that woven cottons are still a very comfortable and breathable way to dress in the summer (not to mention that the styles you can get in cotton are a bit more professional).
Of course a knit cotton tee is going to be hot! It is knit with an extremely tight gauge making it more absorbent than breathable. I will not, however, cede that all knit clothing items are for cooler weather. Loose gauges and yarn materials such as linen and synthetics make summer knitting a real and enjoyable pastime.
Did email die? I wonder why I didn't get that memo...
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