Welcome back to another segment of how to get rich and stay rich, clothing and accessories style! Today, I will be talking about another one of men’s essentials, the man’s umbrella, and the symbolic swagger that comes with it.

It is difficult to say when we considered umbrellas disposable. Perhaps it was long after some schmuck created the collapsible version. And in reducing it to a mere functional tool as opposed to an accessory, the true symbolic meaning of the man’s umbrella – the sword, the vestigial battle-axe, the swagger stick – became lost.

So, today I am going to show you how I added my first man’s umbrella to my collection. And on a budget to boot!

Now, if money were not an issue, I’d run out and purchase a silver handle, bespoke Brigg Umbrella for $3,000.00 plus, in a heart beat. But, I’m on a budget. But, I’m not sacrificing my taste in quality.

So, instead I scoured eBay for an old Fox Paragon umbrella, manufactured by British steelmaker Samuel Fox. I managed to find two (a men’s and women’s) for around $40.00 a pop. I then contacted and sent the two units to the Kensington neighborhood of Brooklyn and the only known expert umbrella man left in the United States, Gilbert Center. Check it out!

Center recanopied both the paragons in pristine black nylon, striped rust from the frames, polished the brass tips, and gave one of the faux ivory handles a bit of TLC. The result? two rapier-thin 1950s umbrellas that total less than $120.00 each.

So, go out there guys and gals. Find your own umbrellas before the rainy seasons begins. Or, use it to dispatch evildoers and hail cabs. When properly cared for, your umbrella can last a lifetime. Just remember, your umbrella shouldn’t fold up in your briefcase, and should not be sold in bargain bins. It should be able to fend off thugs!

See you in seven!

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