I was very pleased with this parasol when it arrived, it opens and closes easily, looks great (no stains or discolourations), the stitching is tight, and matches my dress.  The gaps (all Battenburg lace and cut work has them) were small and will not affect the parasol's ability to shade me.  As an officer in the OES we have occasional outdoor functions in the summer and I burn very easily.  I am looking forward to using this as a functional parasol and would recommend it to anyone who needs to be outdoors but is either unable to wear a hat or wants extended shade around their head and shoulders.