Oh, baby, it’s rainin’! ☔️
“Oh, baby, it’s rainin’!... Rihanna taught us to embrace rain with an umbrella (ella-ella) and after a rather suspiciously dry summer, I’m actually quite excited to see the rain again, especially because it means I finally get to put my beautiful Nocturne umbrella back to work!
Why a Well-Made Umbrella Is Worth Investing In
An umbrella is one of those things we probably don’t think much about until we really need one. It gets thrown in the bottom of a bag, left in the hallway or forgotten in the back of the car .....until the heavens open and suddenly it becomes the most important thing we own.
And living in the UK, that moment comes around actually pretty often!
I’ve always felt that the things we use every day are worth making beautiful. A well-made umbrella might seem like a small luxury, but when you consider how often you reach for one and how it becomes part of your outfit, then choosing something that is made to last can make a impactful difference.
Made to be used, not replaced
We’ve all experienced the classic folding umbrella that turns inside out at the first gust of wind, loses a spoke or simply gives up after a few rainy days. It’s frustrating and it means spending out on another one, and then another.
A quality umbrella is different; Good materials, careful construction and attention to the little details mean it can become something you keep for years rather than something you replace every season. For me, that fits perfectly with the idea behind Alice Acreman Silks: buying fewer things, but choosing pieces that bring a little more joy and have a longer life.
There’s no reason rain has to be boring
Rainy days often get a bad reputation, but I actually think there’s something rather lovely about them. The sound of rain, shiny pavements and that calming balance to equal out the sunny days. So if you're going to be walking through it, why not carry something beautiful?
My Nocturne navy umbrella was designed with exactly this in mind. The deep navy canopy is scattered with a dreamy botanical design, turning something wonderfully practical into a piece that feels artistic and personal. It’s a little bit of colour and pattern on an otherwise grey day.
A small luxury you use again and again
I think this is what makes investing in a good umbrella worthwhile. Unlike something that sits in a cupboard waiting for a special occasion, an umbrella can become part of your everyday life.
You take it to work. You take it on the parcel or school run. You keep it beside the front door for those unpredictable showers. You pack it for a weekend away. And every time you open it, you get that little moment of pleasure from using something that has been thoughtfully made.
The Nocturne umbrella is made in London, which im particularly proud of. I love working with small, skilled makers and creating products that combine practical everyday use with my love of colour, pattern and artwork.
So perhaps this autumn, rather than seeing your umbrella as something you simply have to carry when it rains, think of it as another opportunity to bring a little beauty and personality to what you’re wearing.
Because if we're going to have rainy days, we may as well make them beautiful.