BABEYOND Lace Parasol Ultraviolet-Proof Folding Umbrella UPF50+ Embroidery

Edited to Add: I have raised the score from 3 stars to 5 stars. I have been working with the parasol for a few days now, and it is very good for the price. When the parasol arrives, it is folded into its compact form; however, you can also fold it in its longer form. The biggest gripe I had was how hard it is to open. Here is what I've learned. 1) Yes, you still have to unfold the ribs when it's coming out of its compact form, but you don't have to snap them in place one by one as originally thought. If you just get the ribs mostly straightened out, when you push the center mechanism up the cane the ribs will snap into place on their own. Straight out of the package it's a little stiff, but it gets easier. 2) Once the parasol has been opened, you can put it away in its long form with the ribs straightened. If you lower the center mechanism, you can gather the tips of the ribs close to the cane and slide the handle up so the tips are held inside the edge of the handle. This makes it much easier to open again later. Say you are going inside to eat. You can collapse the parasol into its long form, then easily open it again when you go outside later. 3) When you are ready to store the parasol at the end of the sunny season, you can collapse it back into its compact form. You absolutely CAN get the parasol back in its storage bag. It's a tight fit, and you have to be mindful about how the lace and UPF liner fold up together, but it's entirely doable. This will keep it dust free and prevent the lace from getting torn or snagged in winter storage. ______________________________________________________________________ I purchased the grey parasol. Once unfurled, it is exactly as pictured. However, getting it opened is quite an ordeal. I will store it in its compactly folded state during colder months, but leave it long when closing it during summer because it is such a hassle to open it from its compact state. If you are buying it for a prop or for a single special event, this design flaw may not annoy you much, but for someone who, like me, bought it for regular use, the design flaw is a huge miss. Huge. With so many compact umbrellas on the market, it seems like this would have been an easy annoyance to avoid. After I ordered it, I was wishing I'd gotten a different color, but now that it's arrived, I am very happy with the lovely silver-grey color. I would still like a lavender parasol, but I will be looking for a different brand because of the awkward design of this one.

So cute! Worked perfectly with my goth lolita

Absolutely adorable! It was cute for my wedding photos and actually provided shade while outside in the MS heat!

I have a love/hate relationship with this umbrella. I love, love, love how long the handle is, which is unusual for a compact umbrella. The nice long handle makes it comfortable to carry around for extended periods of time. I think it is very pretty as well as very functional for sun protection. But I do NOT like how the dome part folds and compacts - very cumbersome and frustrating. Miss Primm wrote a very good and accurate review about this feature, so I will not spend the time repeating. Personally , I would prefer the umbrella to be as it is, but without being compacting, since taking it back down to compact size is extremely difficult and frustrating. I'd rather it just stay long and have an outside strap to keep it secure when you're not using it. Or, at the least, in its present design, have an outer and inner strap.

This item is very heavy and impractical. I wanted something that would block the sun as I walked or enjoyed outdoor spaces, but this item is bulky and hard to maneuver.

I bought the black with pink and gold brocade. I use it at a resort I go to a lot where I'm in the pool for so long my skin gets hot and tends to want to burn. At first, I felt silly using it! But then, it caught on! It's really hot here in Fla. and when we are in the pool or in the sun for any amount of time it can be overwhelming. This little baby is not only gorgeous - I have women asking me where I got it ALL the time - but it really does the trick! Keeps the sun off me and stops me from getting leather skin! lol. A++

A bit of a pain to unfold and open, but the gift was well received and it looks so much more ornate than the pictures. Not a bad buy at all.

Beautiful parasol was the perfect prop for my daughter's 15th birthday. The design is unique and and looks great in pictures. It also provided enough shade on the sunny day.

Very nice parasol , easy to use once you figure it out not so easy to put back in it’s bag though