The Design District

Umbrella, ella, ella

Posted By Rachel DeSchepper on 02/04/2008

Yes, it rains in Portland. I’ve learned this and come to peace with it. When I moved here, friends showered me (pun intended, sorry) with rain gear: a PVC-laden poncho, a granny head scarf from Walgreen’s, and of course, umbrellas (clever, folks).

But what’s great about the rain is all the cute and functional rain gear we can stock up on, from the $34 Wellies I found at Urban Outfitters, to great umbrella stands and eco umbrellas.

I’m loving: The why-didn’t-I think-of-that sponge at the bottom of this umbrella stand, available at Relish, 433 NW 10th St in the Pearl (the umbrella comes with!).

Photo courtesy of Relish

Phillipe Starck Louis Ghost chairs are some of my favorites, so I’m naturally drawn to anything Lucite or acrylic, like this Peekaboo Umbrella Holder from CB2

Photo courtesy of CB2

But mostly, I’m really curious about The Brelli, the world’s first biodegradable umbrella, made of bamboo and a biodegradable plastic.

Photo courtesy of The Brelli

But let’s be honest: Will that really hold up through our entire rainy season? So far it’s not available anywhere in Portland, but you can purchase them online soon at www.thebrelli.com ($28 for the small, $38 for the large). And if you do use it, please let me know if it actually works.

9 Comments

By Rachel Benjamin on Monday, February 04, 2008 at 01:52PM PST

oh my… i am in love with “the brelli.” i really would love to own it but i, too, fear that it wouldn’t stand up to even one windy, rainy week here. please someone chime in if you have used it and know how it is!

By Jason on Monday, February 04, 2008 at 04:06PM PST

UMBRELLAS?

Come on. The easiest way to see who’s actually from Oregon is to note the people who don’t use umbrellas. Those who’ve been born and raised here just understand that a good hood or beanie are all you need. That and our messy hair still drying hours after getting to the office.

We don’t use UMBRELLAS.

By Rachel DeSchepper on Monday, February 04, 2008 at 04:57PM PST

Yeah, yeah, I hear this all the time. But I’m sure SOME people who read this blog are interested in umbrellas. In fact, my coworker just told me today that she was looking for an umbrella. Thus, this post. I aim to please.

By Haley on Monday, February 04, 2008 at 06:08PM PST

Nope. I have to agree with Jason. Umbrellas are for tourists… oh, and movie funeral scenes. BUT I do keep one stored in my car door for my mom. Just in case! ;-)

By Rachel DeSchepper on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 11:41AM PST

See? You have a car. I don’t. I’d much rather walk that mile to and from work with an umbrella and risk being dubbed a tourist, than walk that same mile hooding myself and ending up dripping.

By chris on Thursday, February 07, 2008 at 12:14PM PST

There is a well established oregonian snobbery against the umbrella. However, I enjoy my umbrellas and have the best walks around town when I have one. You can keep your wet soppy hair, I’ll have my little oasis of dry thank you very much.

By Fiona on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 09:07AM PST

There is nothing more tiresome than anti-umbrella argument. Who could possibly argue against the logic of an umbrella? Umbrellas are for tourists? Well call me a tourist, but I’ll keep carrying my umbrella, and I’ll stay dry when the staunch umbrella-shunners are sopping wet and miserable. And complaining-~~endlessly~~-about being wet. You’d think part of being born and raised in Portland would be not only coming to terms with the rain, but embracing the very simple, genius, age-old technology for staying dry. (That brella in the peekaboo stand strikes my fancy.)