Although we’re barely done with 2015, the world’s fashionistas are already looking ahead to next year to see which trends will be dominating the catwalks and high street shops.

Winter fashion is all about getting wrapped up warm in an array of chic styles. And as such, it’s always important to think about which special occasions we’ll be attending in the winter months so that we can get kitted up well in advance.

Most of us will have got our Christmas party looks sorted by now, but early Spring is the time where many of us will pay a visit to the races which traditionally starts the season with the highly-anticipated Cheltenham Festival.

This huge horse racing event takes place from 15 to 18 March, and as it always falls around St Patrick’s Day, it provides a celebratory start to the coming of warmer months. Like many horse races, the Cheltenham Festival is something of a celebrity magnet, with the likes of Katie Price, Lily Allen and the omnipresent smattering of royals all displaying the latest in fascinators and tweed fashions.

Whilst we can all get prepared for the racing action with sites like Coral that offer the latest racing news and odds, for our fashion choices, it can get a little more complicated.

As the festival takes place during the early months of spring, it can get pretty chilly out there. Thankfully rich and thick textures such as suede, leather and tweed are all the rage this winter and can provide us all with an on-trend way of staying warm whilst cheering on our favourites.

Our choices of headwear can provide us with a great amount of fun. Some of the more stuffy horse racing events don’t allow some of the more elaborate designs, but conversely there’s a booming trade in online shops that specialise in fascinators that can be relatively cheap considering the impact that they make!

It’s always important to remember that different areas of a racecourse can have different restrictions upon dress codes, so always be sure to check your hemlines and hat sizes in advance. Similarly, whilst it can be tempting to dress in bright colours to combat the winter gloom, opting for classic monochromes and demure patterns is often a better option.

But above all, heading to the races in early Spring is all about layering up in a chic way so that you stay warm whilst looking effortlessly stylish!