As someone who’s worked in fashion for the past seven years, getting dressed in the morning is rarely as simple as throwing on a pair of jeans and a jumper and calling it a day. Looking polished in the office comes part and parcel with the job, which means I’m always on the hunt for those quietly brilliant pieces that add instant refinement—without cutting into too much of my precious sleep. Enter: the V-neck jumper.

It may sound deceptively simple, but this season the V-neck knit has become a genuine outfit elevator. Sleeker and more sophisticated than the chunkier roll-necks and turtlenecks we’ve relied on in recent winters, it brings an ease and elegance to everyday dressing that feels very now. My own love affair with the silhouette began with the Jadey jumper from Reformation, a piece I own, wear regularly and, without fail, receive compliments on.

The good news? You don’t need to spend upwards of £150 to achieve the same effect. Right now, there’s an abundance of expensive-looking V-neck jumpers on the high street, with Zara and H&M offering particularly strong options that rival far pricier counterparts in both fit and finish.