Three of the Best | Umbrellas

It's getting wet. Time to bring out the umbrellas. And no, the £5.99 one from Sports Direct won't do. 

We understand if you've put off getting an umbrella. If you're anything like us, the possibility of losing it becomes so destabilising that you end up not buying one at all. But it's time to lose that fear and get yourself a respectable umbrella. Your dry coat and trousers will thank you.

The issue with umbrellas for men is that they either tend to be floppy things that blow away under a gust of wind or giant golf umbrellas. Both aren't suited for city life for various reasons. The wisp of an umbrella will invariably break on the day of purchase, making it money thrown down the drain. The golf umbrella is so big that it becomes a chore to carry when closed - and turns you into a space hogger when it's open. No one likes the guy who has an umbrella so oversized you have to dodge it for your own safety.

1 Brooks Brothers (top pic)

If you're certain you'll lose a larger umbrella, it's time to go compact. Brooks Brothers do a fine line in sturdy compact umbrellas that won't wilt under a gust. The size means you can easily pack it away in your bag when the rain disappears. www.mrporter.com/ - £59

2 London Undercover

A relatively new label, London Undercover was founded by Jamie Milestone in 2008. They use classic techniques, pairing that solid foundation with quirky tweaks. While some of their umbrellas can be a little leftfield, this houndstooth version (£65) is perfectly suited to carrying to the office.

www.londonundercover.co.uk/ - £65

3 Muji

We all know why we lose umbrellas - they're a hassle to carry, leading you to forget them halfway through the day. This Muji umbrella avoids that problem by having a shoulder strap, allowing you to say goodbye to a day of one-handed fumbling for your phone/keys/wallet.

www.muji.eu/ - £25