Viva La Parasol!
Introducing, the Lulu!
August 22 2014
We are pleased to introduce our newest addition to the line of parasols, the sassy all black LuLu! Built for rain or shine, and complete with three tiers of frills, this is an eye-catching parasol or umbrella. Take a peek!
New GiGi Hot Pink Pagoda Parasol with Double Frill!!
June 27 2014
Just in stock, in time for summer, this one is a beauty! Probably the most feminine and eye catching parasol in stock at the moment, heads are sure to turn if you sport this hot pink parasol about town!!

THAI PARASOLS!
May 16 2014
THAI PARASOLS ARE HERE!! Check out 5 beautiful, new parasols, all hand painted and imported from Thailand. They measure 28 inches at their diameter and have bamboo wooden handles. Because these are hand painted, they are much more durable and heavier than a standard paper parasol, they are made of cotton and offer protection both from the sun and a light rain!
Sunshine, Flowers, and Sweet thoughts for Easter Day
April 18 2014
Easter is a great holiday. Bunnies, easter egg hunts, chocolate! What more could one want? Parasols happen to fit nicely into the Easter folklore as well. Many a vintage illustration of ducks shading their ducklings with a parasol or the Easter bunny sporting one while delivering eggs. Take a look at these fantastic vintage Easter cards featuring parasols.
Parasols for Sun Protection
April 07 2014
With an ever increasing awareness of the dangers of the sun, more and more people are turning to parasols as a practical and attractive way to cover up. Hats are great, but can cause the dreaded hat head, while a parasol creates a whimsical conversation piece. Though some umbrella makers claim to have special UV protection or SPF numbers, actually all umbrellas convey significant sun protection. Darker ones carry up to 95 percent protection from UV rays. When using a parasol for sun protection, don't forget to wear sunglasses to protect the delicate eye area and use sunscreen as well for even more precaution.
Spring Wedding? Let's Do It!
March 21 2014
Flowers are in bloom, frost is melting, love is in the air! The time has come to put away the wool sweaters and corduroys and get out the sandals and sunglasses. Spring is here and that can only mean one thing, wedding season!
If creating a unique and memorable ceremony is your goal, allow me to suggest starting with your officiant. If you are planning a wedding in Austin, Texas, and you are looking for one that is sassy, professional, chic, fun, savvy and skilled, look no further than Sarah Greene Reed.
Since starting her business, Let's Do It, in late 2013, she has presided at over 100 weddings! Sarah has that natural ease with people which makes her ideal at handling the many emotions that a wedding can bring. Her charm and humor and grace are essential qualities that make her excel in this role. One bride, Cara, described Sarah as a "super fun, totally Austin, very rockin’ officiator!" Find Sarah at letsdoitvows.com.
Photo of Sarah Greene Reed by Rolling Sculpture Photography.
Photo by Megphoto.com
Photo of Hoopla's Coral Pagoda parasol by Andrea Macias.
Next, allow me to suggest using parasols on the big day. Whether for shade on a hot summer day or simply for the sheer fun of it, Hoopla has several styles of wedding parasols that would be perfect for the bride, the flower girls, the bridesmaids or even for decoration. Parasols will make your wedding stand out and also help to create stunning photographs.
I hope this post inspires you to have fun with your Spring wedding!
Made in Italy: Pasotti Parasols and Umbrellas
January 13 2014
Pasotti has been hand crafting umbrellas and parasols in the Italian countryside for over 50 years. Today the same high quality and craftsmanship is applied in all of their magnificent designs. Irresistable silky cloth? Check. Bejeweled handles? Check. Classic and Stylish design? Check. No detail is left unattended to in these top of the line pieces. Please, take a look!
http://www.hooplaparasols.com/collections/luxury-parasols-and-umbrellas
Happy New Year
January 06 2014
Hope the new year brings all of our customers cheer! Look for new models coming soon: red polka dot parasols, luxurious Italian Pasotti parasols in vintage styles, more Indian and Hand-painted Thai cotton parasols!
Pink Parasols In Stock
December 13 2013

Happy to announce we have a new product in stock, the Fifi Parasols in PINK!
Multi-tiers of pink ruffles and a faux-bamboo handle, make this parasol another knockout.
Festivities...Festivities
July 14 2013
Summer is in full force and outdoor festivals are the perfect place to strut a parasol. Take a peek of this Indian Sari parasol at the International Folk Art Festival in Santa Fe, New Mexico today. What better way to brighten up an outfit and enjoy the outdoors without getting scorched at the same time!
Bettie Page style parasols
June 21 2013
The imitable Bettie Page holding a cute red parasol! Bettie Page and her clothing style is more relevant today than ever. Here she is wearing a Polka dot bikini, red lipstick, red parasol. What a fantastic combo and what more do you need! I'm hoping to order some Asian style soon – love the classic flowers.
Stylish sun protection - take a sun umbrella to the beach!
June 13 2013
Love this 50s beach shot from Vogue, July 1954.
Sun umbrellas can block up to 77 percent of UV rays offering much needed protection in the sun with most umbrellas being as effective as sunscreen! Of course, we need both to be sure to get proper coverage, but with a combo of sunscreen and a sun umbrella or parasol, those wrinkles will go settle on the next sun worshipper.
See this article from Prevention magazine.
Gatsby Party anyone?
May 21 2013
Seems like time for a good old fashioned, "Swing Into Spring," Gatsby era party! After feasting on the incredibly luscious new remake, I can't get enough of that era. Has anyone attended any good costume parties lately? Here's a good shot from the inimitable vintage collector and sartorial genius, Julie Hunsaker, biking with victorian parasol in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Parasols and Cards this Mother's Day
May 12 2013
Mother's Day ...cards aren't what they used to be... as evidenced in this gorgeous lithographed card. The colors, the typography, all make me swoon!
Isn't plaid back in fashion now too?
Facebook Frenzy
May 09 2013
Thank you to all of my wonderful Facebook friends for liking this page and celebrating the wonder of parasols.
Welcome to Hoopla Parasols!!
February 05 2013
After many months of preparing, planning, plotting, sleuthing ... We are now finally ready to unveil this special collection of parasols. We've found some incredible styles of parasols with more to come. Frilly, Feminine, Colorful, Bold styles all of which are evoke vintage romance and fun. These are parasols you can use every day...on the trip to store, a walk in the park, a day at a summer festival. Of course, they are also fantastic for weddings and special occasions. Best part... many of them also double as rain umbrellas... so you can have the best of both worlds with these versatile accessories.