Umbrella-ella-ella (formerly: Bad ideas, bad designs)  

After reading the blog post
I am in absolute disbelief that it was designed by Bruce and Stephanie Tharp, the award winning design team a.k.a. Materious. I LOVE their other works. This just seems strangely out-of-step.
http://www.materious.com/

How about good umbrella ideas that never quite caught on?
Scoff if you will (and, you probably will...) but the umbrella-hat has always struck me as a wonderful, logical design.
PROS: hands-free use!
CONS: because it's not hand-held, one wouldn't be able to raise it in crowds to avoid hitting other umbrellas. But, it's the rare, considerate individual who exercises proper umbrella management anyhow.
I've never, ever seen an umbrella hat in use; but sometimes see them discarded at thrifts. Poor umbrella hat-- a brilliant design consigned to the gag-gift discard heap.

cool umbrella design
this is a great umbrella design........
i truly love the umbrella hat but it makes you look like a clown when you wear one, especially the multi-colored ones.
http://www.senzumbrellas.com/

I shall rename the thread
Umbrella... ella... ella

Umbrella hats
I have seen (my dad the hat collector had one) were meant for sun, not rain. A cute idea, but (as you say) not practical in the wind. I haven't seen one for decades. . .
I like that asymmetrical umbrella above. Choice in use is always desirable, in my opinion !

What do you think of the Nubrella?
Probably better in theory than in practice...
(link below)
http://www.nubrella.com/

Nubrella
I think that's the dumbest product I've ever seen. Lamer than the Snuggie. The design is absurd. It leaves the body exposed, and when closed it has to be draped over one's shoulder. At least traditional umbrellas let my feel like a British dandy when rolled up, or Errol Flynn.

Nothing beats...
A classic black umbrella! I like to pretend I'm Gene Kelly, sometimes Mary Poppins.
Now for the visual.

The Clear
Umbrella must have been a leap forward in the world that is umbrella design ?

and then if one were to combine all the above..
We'd have this !

The more I look at the Nubrella
the more I want one. Used with a waterproof coat, it'd be a godsend on cold, wet, windy days.
Maybe it looks bizarre to those of you who who need only walk a few feet from house to car in the rain; it looks appealing to a city-dweller who needs to walk a few miles a day.
In fact, I'd like a full-length Nubrella.

I can't help thinking
it would fog up !

Umbrella-elle-ella-stand.
Something for everyone?
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/03/under-100-umbrella-stands.html

lighted umbrella.........
i kind of understand how this could be cool....... but entirely un-necessary.
http://www.bright-night.com/default.aspx