The Surprising Party Accessory London Girls Are Wearing

Yee-haw! London’s festive party trail has taken a turn towards the West, as the city’s coolest revellers swap urban playlists for country music to swing their partner round and round to. The pièce de résistance of the rodeo scene? The partywear.

At Shrimps designer Hannah Weiland’s winter drinks at The Cow on Westbourne Park Road, Alexa Chung, Pixie Geldof, Matilda Goad and Daisy Hoppen topped off their looks with cowgirl hats. Surprisingly, perhaps, Lil Nas X was not the impetus behind the high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat trend, but rather country legend Dolly Parton.

For Resort 2019, Weiland took inspiration from the “9 to 5” singer’s fabulously brash style, but channelled all that beading and embellishment through a Shrimps lens. There are faux pearl bags emblazoned with “Florida Cowboy”, clips with elegant diamante fringing, and neck scarves printed with jacquard rodeo motifs – and that’s just the accessories. “It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone.

Back to the hats, which were not simply party favours donned with Instagram in mind. The “Celestia”, in particular, is Shrimps’s faux-fur version of a classic Western hat, complete with velvet ribbon chin tie and lined with a contrasting print. It comes in both black and leopard print, and is “the perfect accessory to keep you snug and warm on those colder days,” promises the brand.

More to the point, “fashion should be fun – you only live once!” Weiland told Vogue as the Dolly tribute act took centre stage at her local boozer. You might not be wearing a wide brim next season, but it’s a brilliant curveball amid the relentless onslaught of sequins in shops at this time of year. For the love of Jolene, try it.