Considering that it's still tank top weather (at least out here in the desert Southwest) it may seem a bit early to start thinking about winter wear.

But since I know that I've got to replace two winter jackets this year, I decided to get a jump on what new and eco-friendly fashions may be available for winter wear.

And it appears that sustainable designers are willing to push the envelope.

For instance, there's a new vegan faux fur option out there for anyone who worries about the fact that traditional faux fur is made from environment-offending acrylic and polyester. As the good people at Treehugger point out, these products contribute to pollution.

Made by Loyale Clothing, the Costilla jacket was created because many of us (myself included) chose faux fur because it doesn't harm animals. The designers, however, hope the jacket also makes people aware of the toll that traditional faux fur may take on the planet.

At $425, this is a bit steep for me, especially since its lovely cream color will get instantly stained in my clutches.

A little browsing took me over to Organic Avenue, a great boutique for all things eco-friendly that's based in Manhattan. They're selling the Ashimia Peace Silk jacket for $300, which is made from "the cocoons of wild and semi-wild silk moths of India." You'll be happy to know that no silk pupae were harmed in order to produce this stylish jacket.

I'm thrilled to see more eco-conscious fashion choices out there. Especially when they're chic, cutting edge, and karmically-sound.

But the practical side of me already knows that once I'm done considering humanely-treated cocoons and environmentally-responsible faux fur, I'm going to stick with my favorite eco-friendly material: polar fleece. It's vegan, made from recycled plastic bottles, easy to find, machine-washable, and is very, very affordable.

And every so often, it even looks good.