Essential 1920s Beach Accessory – The Parasol

People in the 1920s were fond of the exotic, and so it is no surprise that a popular sun shade was theJapanese paper parasol.  It seems a bit risky to take a fragile paper item to the beach where it would be threatened by wind and water.  Maybe that is why so many of the ones found today are ripped and faded.

I found this one at an antique mall along with several others, all deadstock, never used.  I can’t say that it is from the 1920s, as these are still being made today (but probably in China).  Anyway, I loved the colors and design of this one, regardless of the age.

It structure of the parasol is entirely bamboo.

Two of these 1920s women have paper parasols.  I also love the bathing cap and shoes and beach pyjamas on the woman on the right.  I have no idea where this photo was taken, but note the US flag flying.  The sign on the building reads “Rooms, Tents, Cottages”.  Any ideas as to where?  There seems to be a fairly large hillside directly behind the beach, so that rules out a great deal of the east coast.

This ad for Lux laundry soap is from 1923.

To see it in the round, here is a vine.