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Updated: Apr 6, 2021 23 Comments · by

Commuting Hall of Fame: Totes Bubble Umbrella

Coffee Break· Commuting· Fashion· Workwear Hall of Fame | · ·

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We've been longing for spring — a lot — lately, even if it brings April showers. Target has a number of really cute umbrellas right now, including this bubble umbrella. We like that it has just the slightest touch of florescent lime green — and will protect your hair, let you see where you're walking, and, because you can hold it lower and with more control, it hopefully will keep you from poking taller people in the eye with your umbrella. 

Lovely. It's $16 (and also comes in other colors if you dislike the green). Totes Bubble Umbrella

Totes Bubble Umbrella

2020 Update: Holy moly, this bubble umbrella is still around — so we're adding it to our Workwear Hall of Fame! 

This page was last updated Jan. 2020.

Sales of note for 7.19.24

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Comments

  1. mkm

    I love this!! I’ve seen them around every so often and wondered where people got them. They’re perfect — thanks, C.!

  2. s-k-s

    Has anyone ever tried walking under one of these? I’m just curious how well they work … although I guess for $16 I should just find out for myself!

    • MelD

      Clear umbrellas are the convenience store standard in Japan. They’re much easier to use than traditional umbrellas since you don’t have to manage the wind and seeing at the same time. You can cover your eyes a bit and still see through with no problem.

      • s-k-s

        I just feel like the “Bubble” thing would bug me. Or I’d smack myself in the face with the front of my umbrella, or somehow get my hair tangled in it … but then I’m a huge klutz!

        • MelD

          The bubble also has the added benefit of being harder to blow out than the traditional umbrella.

  6. North Shore

    Did anyone read about the Ohio Supreme Court case involving Totes? A Totes employee was fired for taking breaks to pump milk for her nursing child, and the court ruled that breastfeeding discrimination is not gender discrimination. I have a problem buying Totes products after this case.

    • Anon

      I did read about that. Ridiculous. I agree, I have a problem with buying Totes products after that case. But I also have a problem with the Ohio Supreme Court.

    • JD_Chic

      What a bummer! I was ready to purchase this absolutely adorable umbrella, but would feel guilty doing so after your mention of this case. Awwww, man!!!! I hadn’t heard about it. My current umbrella is a Totes too, but nowhere near this cute. Has anyone seen clear bubble umbrellas in other brands?

      • AIMS

        Thanks! Seems like it’s not so cut and dry as breast feeding does not equal gender discrimination. Not defending Totes, but they fired her for taking breaks without permission, not for needing to breast feed. It seems that (and the concurrences clearly suggests this — noting, “[the plaintiff] failed to develop a record from which a
        jury could find in her favor”) had she asked for permission to take a break in order to breast feed, and been denied the opportunity, the case likely would have turned out differently.
        I can’t say I necessarily disagree with that logic (it’s very similar to disability law — the employer has to provide reasonable accommodations, but you have to let the employer know of the disability first).
        I hope I’m not just trying to justify my continued use of my Totes umbrella, but the decision is much subtler than I first realized based on the above description & I think it may be just one of those examples of bad facts making bad law.

        Just FYI, before we all start boycotting Totes & Isotoner.

        • D

          I read it, and I don’t think it’s subtle at all. They fired her for leaving her station, but they knew she left her station to pump breastmilk. When they received a complaint from the EEOC, which she would have had to make, they knew she took a break to pump. When they were served a summons, they knew she had taken a break to pump. When they defended the appeal, they knew she had taken a break to pump. At each step of the way, the company chose to defend its right to fire someone for having to pump breast milk for her child. While the Court may have had less discretion in its ruling, the company had full discretion in its decision to fire her, then defend that position. I won’t knowingly buy their products.

    • Anonymous

      ha, i have to say that they were also popular when i was in elementary school in the early ’90s.

    • denise

      I was going to say the same thing! We all had these in the 70s, and frankly, I had kind of wondered where they went.

  9. RF

    Very cute – but in Colorado we don’t really need umbrellas. We have 300+ days of sunshine every year (and the “unsunny” days are usually in the winter).

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