It’s officially winter and, with the days getting shorter and colder, one of the real positives about this time of year — aside from the prospect of Christmas — is layering.

Coats are great, but you can’t beat knitwear for a no-hassle uniform; just throw on with jeans and trainers and you’re good.

Instead of bad quality sweaters that will shrink and bobble, invest in sustainable, classic styles you’ll be wearing until they fall apart at the seams — which, thanks to fabrics and processes, will be years away.

We’ve rounded up the best sustainable sweaters to shop now, from some of the most innovative and inspirational brands making conscious fashion cool — and, yes, we know they’re not cheap, but think cost-per-wear (always):

The High Neck, £159, STUDY 34

Our #1 knitwear discovery, STUDY 34’s piece are capsule wardrobe-friendly, making them not only v fash but also more sustainable. It’s the opposite of ‘fast fashion’; with the process, from design to sale, taking nine months — from Eleanor’s studio in Newcastle via Peru.

Oversized jumper, £395, Mandkhai

Another brand with a deep understanding of how its signature fabric is made and where it comes from, Mandkhai’s — named eponymously after designer Mandkhai Jargalsaikhan — pieces are satisfyingly mix-and-match-able.

Fine Knit Jumper, £17.99, H&M

From the Swedish high street store’s Conscious line, the styles are pleasingly contrasting with its fast fashion roots and made predominantly from recycled fabrics.

Cashmere Crop Mock Neck, £76, Everlane

Everlane are revolutionising the way we can shop through lasting quality, ethical factories and, most importantly, a transparent supply chain.

Seelie Sweatshirt Top, £67, AMOUR VERT

Using non-toxic dyes and chemicals, innovative new fabrics, and a supply chain and distribution with minimal environmental impact, AMOUR VERT is a truly sustainable brand — especially with fun initiatives like Tees = Trees, in which they plant a tree for every tee bought.

Cashmere Crew, £113, Reformation

One of the few ethical brands that are famous too, Reformation has managed to walk the line between cool and conscious impeccably. They’re transparent about their processes, using maximally efficient technologies, sustainable fabrics, and minimal water and carbon dioxide — and they recycle.

Merino Choreography Jumper, £292.62, Kowtow

With ethics and sustainability at the Kowtow core, the brand is conscious throughout the whole process — from Fairtrade, organic farming to non-toxic fabrics, inks and dyes.

Faye-Marie Wool Knitted Jumper, £175, Beaumont Organics

Beaumont Organic’s mission is to create ‘contemporary conscious clothing’ and, by producing ethically and reducing wastage, the brand is succeeding — though, depending on your style, you may need to pick and choose the pieces that work for you.

Iris Knit Jumper, £295, Mother Of Pearl

One of the few big fashion brands committing to sustainability, MOP is leading the way with natural fibres, low water consumption, zero animal cruelty, a low carbon footprint, organic fabrics and traceable processes from field to final — and all while creating pieces that could never be labelled ‘drab’.