No matter whether it’s pouring rain outside, you’re stuck in a windowless office or there’s no chance of a holiday on the horizon, there’s something about looking at beautiful photos of beautiful places that just brightens a day. And while sandy white stretches of beach and Aperol Spritzes might seem a far off thought, there’s something to be said about dreaming, right? Manifesting what you want is definitely a thing, at least in the age of Instagram.
Where better to start but beach umbrellas. As the quintessential marker of a European getaway, the humble beach umbrella has become a symbol of bliss, relaxation and winding down. From Cinque Terre’s famous orange-hued tops of Monterosso beach in Italy to the pastel pinks and yellows of Miami beach, you can tell a lot about a destination by its beach umbrellas.
A formula which always seems to pop up on Instagram, there’s something about the repetitive patterns, the pop-bright colours and bland function of an umbrella which makes it so aesthetically pleasing. From a design perspective, the classic beach umbrella is neither a status symbol or necessity. Instead, its rise to photogenic fame has been slow and steady. Slim Aarons at its best, bland at its worst. Either way, there’s something seriously inviting about a beautiful beach umbrella.
Below, we’ve rounded up our some of our favourites from around the world, because what’s a beach photo without a pastel-perfect umbrella?
Miami Beach, USA
Image credit: Instagram.com/allieprovost
Happy Beach, Bali
Image credit: Instagram.com/michaelmacalos
Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy
Image credit: Instagram.com/polabur
Ftelia Beach Club, Mykonos, Greece
Image credit: Instagram.com/christopher_kennedy
Selce, Croatia
Image credit: Instagram.com/macpaluchphoto
Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA
Image credit: Instagram.com/anniespratt
Italian Coast
Image credit: Instagram.com/abstractaerialart
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Image credit: Instagram.com/erinsummer_
Puglia, Italy
Image credit: Instagram.com/rajveerjohal
La Fontelina, Capri, Italy
Image credit: Instagram.com/rajveerjohal
Miami Beach, USA
Image credit: Instagram.com/graymalin
Positano Beach, Italy
Image credit: Instagram.com/graymalin
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Italian Coast
Image credit: Instagram.com/angeloscabarita
Kontiki Beach, St Martin
Image credit: Instagram.com/camachoanu
Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy
Image credit: Instagram.com/emselter
Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA
Image credit: Instagram.com/robertamenezes
Nice, France
Image credit: Instagram.com/lostwithanna
One Fire Beach, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Image credit: Instagram.com/nicoleisaacs
Positano Beach, Italy
Image credit: Instagram.com/libraego
San Diego, USA
Image credit: Instagram.com/delcoronado
Seminyak, Bali
Image credit: Instagram.com/visualsbydavey
Westward, Seattle, USA
Image credit: Instagram.com/designlovefest