Denim umbrellas from London Undercover: made in London

My London Undercover Prince of Wales check umbrella keeps me stylishly dry, but their new denim brollies, made by hand in London, have me itching for one to match my jeans.

Inspired by French field workers’ indigo-dyed brollies from the early 20th century, a specialised waterproof cotton-based denim twill has been created in four shades of denim. This high quality British-made brolly is available from London Undercover for £185.

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Mr Stanford: umbrellas made in England

Mr Stanford is based in Brighton and designs umbrellas. The company was created as a result of the founder's inability to find an umbrella that would stand up to the monsoon rains of South East Asia.

There is an emphasis on British manufacture and design, with umbrellas designed in house and made at James Ince & Sons in Spitalfields, London. This company was founded in 1805 and is still owned by the Ince family. Printing is carried out in London, weaving in Italy and handles are from sustainable sources and produced in the UK and Italy.

I was sent a Rangoon Camel (pictured above) to try out. It sports a classic whangee handle, which reminds me of the umbrellas used by my father and grandfather when I was a child. The shaft is made of oak-stained beechwood and details like the black mother of pearl button add to a feeling of quality.

Overall the brolly feels light in weight but solidly built and it looks better in life than in the images. Robust and very stylish,  it even keeps off the rain! Visit Mr Stanford's website for more information and to buy.

London Undercover - my new umbrella

Just as a drought is declared in south east England it has started to pour, with April showers bringing us thunder, hail and heavy rain. As a man in search of style, I now reserve my anorak for brisk mountain walks, so the question arose as to how I could keep dry. Tweed has shower-proof properties, but not enough to keep a man dry in a torrent. I therefore bought an umbrella from Mr Porter and was introduced to a brand I hadn't come across before - London Undercover.

The umbrella I chose is the "Classic Black & White Prince of Wales umbrella. Brown Interior. Combined Maple wood shaft & handle with laser etched London Undercover logo. Made using recycled materials". It's light, beautifully-made and looks very smart indeed.

London Undercover's range of umbrellas is based on a very British sense of humour. I love the Naval Battle Map Umbrella (below), although a maritime pedant might have certain reservations. Firstly, it's not a "map"; it's a chart. Secondly, a naval man wouldn't be seen dead with an umbrella, particularly on board his vessel (who said that there are three things you should never sail with - a wheelbarrow, an umbrella or a naval officer?)

Photographs from London Undercover

Another that caught my eye was Greenline Routemaster, described as follows, "Classic vintage Green Line coaches livery umbrella with historic Routemaster seating moquette interior. The Green Line brand, first established in 1930, was used for coach services linking central London with country towns within a 30-mile radius. Vintage Lincoln Green Exterior with Gold Trim. 1960's Routemaster Seat Fabric Pattern Interior. Combined Maple Wood shaft & handle with laser etched London Undercover logo. Made using recycled materials".

The very British, quirky nature of these products will appeal to buyers and I see that London Undercover offer free shipping.

If it's pouring with rain where you are, I suggest you spend lots on an umbrella, it's the best way to guarantee a dry Spring and Summer.