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This Tuesday, February 10, is National Umbrella Day.

We all have that one umbrella.

You know the one. You bought it at a pharmacy five years ago during a sudden downpour. It has a bent metal rib, it smells a little musty, and you hold your breath every time the wind blows, praying it doesn't flip inside out and embarrass you.

The umbrella is one of the oldest inventions in history (dating back 4,000 years!), yet most of us treat it like trash.

This Tuesday, we are breaking the cycle of buying cheap, flimsy gear.

Here is why you should upgrade your rainy day game before the spring storms hit.

The Upgrade: The "Unflippable" Umbrella

If you live in a windy city (Chicago, Boston, New York), a standard umbrella is just a parachute waiting to fail. You need aerodynamics.

• The Pick: Blunt Metro Umbrella

• Why it wins: It doesn't have those sharp, pointy tips that poke strangers in the eye. It uses a patented "Radial Tensioning System" that stretches the canopy tight like a drum. It has been tested in 70 mph winds. It basically laughs at storms.
  Shop Blunt Metro Umbrellas on Amazon

The Compact Hero: The "Pocket" Shield

Sometimes you don't have room for a cane umbrella. You need something that fits in a purse or a glove box but doesn't feel like a toy.

• The Pick: Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella

• Why it wins: It has fiberglass ribs (which bend instead of snapping) and a Teflon coating that sheds water instantly. You give it one shake, and it’s dry enough to put back in your bag.
  Shop Repel Umbrellas on Amazon

The Etiquette: Master the "Umbrella Dance"

Owning a nice umbrella comes with responsibility.

If you are walking on a crowded sidewalk this Tuesday, do not be the person who hits someone in the face.

The Move:

• When you pass someone, Lift or Tilt.

• If you are tall: Lift your umbrella up to clear their head.

• If you are short: Tilt yours away to create a gap.

• It is a silent, polite dance that says, "I am a civilized human being."

The Trivia Drop (For the Office)

While you are shaking off the rain in the lobby, tell your coworkers this:

The word "Umbrella" comes from the Latin word "Umbra," which means shade or shadow.

Originally, they were only used for the sun. The Chinese were the first to wax and lacquer them to make them waterproof for rain.

Also, if you want to sound old-timey, call it a "Bumbershoot" (19th-century slang).

The Superstition: Bad Luck?

We have all heard that opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck.

The Truth: It’s not magic; it’s just clumsy.

The superstition likely started in Victorian England when umbrellas had stiff metal springs and massive hard spikes. Opening one indoors usually resulted in breaking a vase or injuring a child.

So, the "bad luck" was just... property damage.

Stay Dry.

Spring is coming.

Don't wait until you are soaked to realize you need an upgrade.

Treat yourself this Tuesday.

Happy Umbrella Day!

Show Us Your Canopy!

Do you have a boring black umbrella or something bright and fun?

Snap a photo of your rainy day style and tag us on TikTok and Instagram at @OnManyOccasions.

We’ll be resharing the most stylish storm-chasers all day!

Valentine's Day is in 4 Days!

The countdown is on for Saturday, Feb 14.

Do you have your gifts ready?

If not, download our Free 2026 Celebration Calendar for last-minute ideas and reminders.