Parasols originated in the East Indies about 5,000 years ago. Around 100 B.C., the parasol spread to ancient Rome and Greece. It took the Italian Renaissance in the 1500's to introduce the parasol to the rest of Europe, where it was popular in the French Court. Today, the parasol is most often associated with Victorian society in England and the United States, during a time when people's obsession was for a fair complexion. It was not only a sign of beauty; it proved to the world that a woman was a LADY, who didn't have to work outdoors like “common” females did.
Parasols were as a much a part of a well-dressed lady’s outfit as were her gowns, hats, shoes and stockings. A fashionable lady carried a different parasol for each outfit. The parasol continued to increase in popularity through the Edwardian era in the early 1900s. Today parasols are making a come-back as more women become concerned about the harmful effects of UV rays and skin cancer.
During Victorian days, the fashionable colors of parasols were white, ivory and pastel colors. Today the "in color" is jet black, which is used to complement the popular retro fashions.
