by Michelle Christina

Created on: June 15, 2008

A walk in the rain can be rather romantic, but there's no romance in ruining your stellar hairstyle after missing the bus to work on a drizzly morning. That ugly umbrella you bought for $5.00 from a street vendor isn't cutting it either. There's no need to sacrifice your style to the elements. Summer rainstorms may be in full swing, but you've got an arsenal of charming alternatives to the generic black umbrella.

As you may have heard, Rihanna has released an incredibly sleek line of signature umbrellas under the Totes label. If you're a fan, you'll be thrilled to know she took part in the actual design of the product, from colors to aesthetics. If you're not a fan, it doesn't matter - the umbrellas aren't silk screened with her face or anything. Priced from $20.00 to $50.00, they're not only large enough to shield you, but they're fashion-forward enough to coordinate with your outfit. For what it's worth, your purchase will even come with a "exclusive Rihanna removable charm". Check out the two-toned gradient variations of the "Satin Stick" and "Sparkle Slender" models, available with manual or auto-open function. You'll find the line at the official Totes website.

Looking for designer rain protection? Burberry introduced an elegant "Script Umbrella" to their collection in white or black. At $225.00 it might not fit everyone's budget, but if you're looking to splurge on an accessory this season, you might as well aim for utility. For about $50.00 you can make similar statement with the Marc By Marc Jacobs "Amour Print Umbrella", which features small navy blue or yellow script on a white backdrop. Both the Burberry and Marc models are available at the Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue websites.

Enthusiasts of modern design with a nostalgic flare will love the selection at PareUmbrella.com. They carry styles reminiscent of retro wallpapers, glamorous safari get-aways, or a box of stationary you'd find at a craft fair in Brooklyn. You'll spend about $65.00 for one of these beauties. And while the selection is as vast as it sounds, Pare Umbrella's inventory is 100% limited edition, so jump on it. Check out the "Trixie", "Nowadays", and "lace, lace lace!" models.

Flipping the switch on exterior umbrella design is the "Unsurpassed" floral umbrella available at SimplySoles.com, which will set you back $150.00. This model may appear quaint when it's closed (the outside is a solid black or pink), but when it's opened it blooms to reveal a truly luxurious super-sized flower interior. If that's not enough, the handle is gold and littered with small jewels. An umbrella fit for a queen, no doubt.

To lean towards hip and cute in favor of elegant, you could try out the Juicy Couture umbrella line, which boasts the colors, logos, and charms that are the brand's hallmark. Their motif umbrella ($55.00), available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdales, is a high contrast statement that'll amplify your sassy walk down seventh avenue while everyone else sprints around with newspapers over their heads.

A final resort would be Umbrellas.com, which offers everything from a simple chic white model to decidedly unique novelty prints animals, landscapes, rainbows, race cars, etc. They also offer the increasingly popular clear dome umbrella, which fits right over your head for the ultimate in hair/makeup protection. Most models fall in the $20.00 - $30.00 range, so you can go ahead and spend that extra money on a pair of shades... for the sunny days, of course.

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