12 Vintage Umbrella Ads That Make No Sense Today
Advertisements used to use many weird, creative, and sometimes hard-to-understand methods to sell common things like umbrellas. As time goes on, the way we advertise things changes. Many of the old umbrella ads don't make sense anymore.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Sometimes strange and funny, old umbrella ads give us a look into the world of advertising back then. Before digital marketing, ads used weird ideas and images that were too good to be true to get people’s attention. These ads may have made sense back then, but they don’t make sense now. This article looks at 12 old umbrella ads that don’t quite work anymore. They show how much advertising has changed in terms of style and content.
1. “Stay Dry, Stay Happy!”
Yan Krukau on Pexels
This ad showed an umbrella with a happy face, and the slogan said that using the product would make you happy immediately. It’s a fun idea, but being happy isn’t easy nowadays. In today’s more complex world, the emotional link between being happy and an umbrella seems too simple.
2. “For All Your Stormy Days!”
Dziana Hasanbekava on Pexels
An old ad once said that an umbrella could be your best friend on any stormy day, no matter how bad it is. While umbrellas are useful when it rains, they aren’t really a solution when the weather is really bad. We know now that taking extra safety measures during bad weather is important, not just relying on an umbrella.
3. “Guaranteed to Outlast the Wind!”
Turuncu Sakal on Pexels
In the past, an umbrella ad boldly said it would stand up to any wind. Even though this might have seemed impressive at the time, most modern umbrellas are made to be light and not withstand strong winds. At this point, we know that windproof umbrellas can only handle certain kinds of bad weather.
4. “The Umbrella That Will Never Let You Down!”
Connor McManus on Pexels
The old ad’s claim that the umbrella would never let you down was very emotional. In reality, every umbrella has flaws, and even the best ones can break in strong winds or when used a lot. These days, people expect more honest and useful marketing, so this claim’s exaggeration seems silly.
5. “A Fashion Accessory, Not Just a Rain Protector!”
James Kerap on Pexels
This ad made it seem like umbrellas were a big part of fashion. Some umbrellas are stylish these days, but the ad made them seem more important for fashion than they really are. Trends in fashion have changed, and now we care more about how things look and work than just using umbrellas to show off our personal style.
6. “For the Most Elegant Walk in the Rain!”
Yunus Tuğ on Pexels
An ad for an umbrella company said that using it would make any rainy walk classy and stylish. Even though it’s cute to think about, modern consumers don’t always think of umbrellas as stylish, especially since they value functionality and portability more. The idea of over-the-top elegance doesn’t seem to fit with how people think these days.
7. “Weatherproof Your Day!”
Bayram Yalçın on Pexels
An old ad said an umbrella could “protect” your day from bad weather. This false promise makes it sound like an umbrella could keep you dry in more than just rain, like wind or cold. We now know that wearing the right clothes and being ready are important parts of truly “weatherproofing” yourself.
8. “The World’s Strongest Umbrella!”
Antonio Friedemann on Pexels
One umbrella ad claimed it was the strongest in the world and showcased a design that made it look more like a weapon than a useful thing. Even though the ad tried to make the umbrella look tough, the truth is that no umbrella is truly unbreakable. These days, we like more fair claims and designs that work well in the real world.
9. “Built for Every Adventure!”
Valdemaras D. on Pexels
This ad made it seem like their umbrella was the best thing to bring with you on any outdoor adventure. Some umbrellas are made to be used outside, but the idea that they could handle rough conditions like hiking or mountaineering is silly these days. These days, people want specialized gear for different activities instead of a single umbrella that can be used for everything.
10. “Rain or Shine, It’s Always the Perfect Choice!”
Ferdinand Studio on Pexels
In the past, an umbrella ad said that its product was great for any weather. An umbrella is useful when it rains but doesn’t protect you from the sun or heat. We now know an umbrella is not enough to protect us from the sun. We also need sunscreen and special clothes.
11. “The Umbrella for the Man of Action!”
Mohamed Weaam on Pexels
An old ad promised people who were “action-packed” an umbrella that would keep up with their busy lives. The ad tried to make umbrellas seem exciting, but these days, ads are more likely to focus on their usefulness and features, like how long they last and how easy they are to use.
12. “An Umbrella So Good, You’ll Forget It’s Raining!”
Ekam Juneja on Pexels
This old ad for an umbrella said that people would forget it was raining because it worked so well. A good umbrella can make being outside in the rain more bearable, but nothing can take away the feeling of being caught in the rain. In today’s more realistic advertising world, this over-the-top promise seems silly.