People carry a variety of umbrellas in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 3: Sun. Rain. Sun. The gods might not have been able to make up their minds yet but people are keeping an all-weather canopy handy.

Whether it is romancing the rain or braving the simmering sun, umbrellas have surfaced as a fashionable way to beat the wild weather conditions.

Available in myriad hues, sizes and fabrics such as, nylon, polyester and satin, umbrellas are making quite a splash on the city streets. While men seem to settle for the regular black and other uni-coloured umbrellas, the options for women and kids are plenty.

Twirling the most stylish umbrellas in vibrant colours and ubercool patterns are school and college-going girls.

Among the most preferred shades for them this season are baby pink, bright yellow, pleasant purple, hot red, cool blue and soothing green with a range of fancy prints embossed on them. Even the ones with lacy and frilly edges are in great demand.

Other designs like the see-through umbrellas with cute little red hearts and the classic polka dots are also selling like hot cakes. The large single-fold variety has also emerged as a favourite for youngsters. “It usually comes in light and cool colours with a flashy golden stick and golden spokes.

The printed ones come for around Rs 400,” said Smruti Ranjan Singh of a shop at Janpath. On the other hand, the attractive twin-coloured umbrellas or the ones with rich rainbow colours continue to catch the fancy of young housewives and working women.

Older women seem to have a penchant for gentler, toned-down colours with small floral prints, checks or traditional patterns.

Be it with a crooked or a straight handle, these canopies are now available with matching spokes and tip.

The market is also flooded with a delightful assortment of umbrellas for children. Starting from Hello Kitty, Barbie, Pokemon and Spiderman motifs to the ones featuring Disney or Warner Bros characters, there are several choices to brighten up kids’ days.

Once a must-buy during cricket matches, the umbrella hat – a smaller variety of umbrella without a handle – is the perfect option to escape the hot and humid summer.

You just have to fit the elastic headband on your head and it is easy to fold and slip into your purse or pocket. But it might be a difficult task to find this variety in city shops.

In comparison to the conventional, bigger two-fold umbrellas, the compact three-fold version is ideal since it can be tucked away conveniently into a bag.

It is for this reason that the three-fold umbrellas cost more than the two-fold ones that cost upwards of Rs 175.

“Nowadays, umbrellas are sold round the year because people can use them any time. They also come in matching covers, some of which resemble a handbag,” said Bela Moda, owner of a shop near Sriya Square.