Rick Owens
Long Pure Virgin Wool Cardigan
CA$399.95CA$665.00-40%
In Stock
Long Pure Virgin Wool Cardigan is an open-front cardigan by Rick Owens, made from stretch 100% responsibly sourced virgin wool knit and produced in Italy. It has a loose fit with long fitted sleeves, a pointed high-low hem, and ribbed finishes, featuring draped side panels and an asymmetric waterfall silhouette. Designed as a layering outerwear piece, it provides coverage and warmth in cool weather while allowing for ease of movement.
- Material
- 100% virgin wool
- Style
- gothic, minimal, relaxed-fit, high-low-hem
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops
Color
BlackBrown
Size
SMALLMEDIUMLARGE
Specifications
A dramatic, unstructured cardigan in fine virgin wool with a loose fit, fitted sleeves, and a pointed high-low hem.
Stretch virgin wool knit, draped silhouette, ribbed finishes.
- Material
- 100% virgin wool
- Style
- gothic, minimal, relaxed-fit, high-low-hem
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops
Additional Attributes
- 100% virgin wool
- fitted sleeves
- draped hem
- loose fit
- pointed high-low hem
- ribbed finish
- made in Italy
- responsibly sourced wool
- stretch knit
- long length
- dramatic and unstructured aesthetic
- minimalist design
Product Insights
The Long Pure Virgin Wool Cardigan embodies Rick Owens' collapse-and-control and glunge tensions through fitted sleeves and flowing drapes, crafted from 100% virgin wool knit in Italy. The long-fiber wool drapes smoothly, absorbs 30% moisture without dampness, and recovers from 30% stretch without creasing, yet may pill and requires dry cleaning. A deep flat black with even dye absorption, the cardigan features a pointed high-low hem weighted by ribbed edges for cape-like elongation, while close-fitting ribbed sleeves contrast with a generous A-line body, building a strong shoulder-to-hip triangle. Shape retention is ensured by the wool's stretch recovery and long-fiber strength, preventing bagging, but care demands dry cleaning and airing between wears.
Verified claims
- Design philosophy
- Fitted sleeves and flowing drapes embody Owens' collapse-and-control and glunge tensions.
- Construction
- 100% virgin wool, knit in Italy, dyed to a flat black with even absorption.
- Factory integration
- Designer prototypes directly at co-owned Italian factory, ensuring exact execution.
- Drape
- Long-fiber virgin wool drapes smoothly and recovers from 30% stretch without creasing.
- Durability
- Long-staple virgin wool resists abrasion, may pill, and requires dry cleaning.
- Color
- Virgin wool absorbs dye evenly, producing a deep black without undertones.
- Comfort
- Absorbs 30% moisture without dampness; lightweight-to-midweight for layering.
- Hem
- The pointed high-low hem is weighted by ribbed edges to create a cape-like elongation.
- Silhouette
- Fitted sleeves contrast with a loose, open body for a controlled, sculptural drape.
- Deep black
- True flat black with no undertones, consistent with Rick Owens' signature deep black.
- Care
- Dry clean only; between wears, airing keeps the cardigan fresh.
- Sleeve-body contrast
- Close-fitting ribbed sleeves contrast with a generous A-line body, building a strong shoulder-to-hip triangle.
- Shape retention
- Virgin wool's 30% stretch recovery and long-fiber strength prevent bagging and maintain the intended silhouette.
Product record
- Title
- Long Pure Virgin Wool Cardigan
- Brand
- Rick Owens
- Price
- 665 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
The significance of Italian knitwear manufacturing
- Rick Owens' mainline knitwear is made in a factory in Concordia (Modena), Italy, where the factory owner was brought on as a fourth partner in the company — meaning the facility is an extension of the brand rather than a subcontractor, and Owens maintains an apartment on site to oversee production directly, so the cardigan benefits from a fully integrated design-to-manufacture pipeline that preserves construction integrity and allows the draped, high-low silhouette to fall as intended.
- Because Owens began his career as a patternmaker and never established a design room in Paris, he prototypes every garment on the same factory floor that executes the final run; this eliminates the fragmented handoffs typical of many fashion brands, so the ribbed finishes, sleeve fit, and weight of the virgin wool knit are exactly as he specified — a consistency that's hard to achieve when design and production are separated by geography and corporate structure.
Why virgin wool matters in a designer knit
- Virgin wool fibers naturally stretch up to 30% under tension and recover without residual creases — this resilience keeps the cardigan’s fitted sleeves holding their shape and prevents the loose, draped body from bagging out even with extended wear.
- Because virgin wool hasn't been reclaimed or shredded, its fibers retain their original staple length and uniform surface; in this cardigan, that translates to a smoother, heavier drape that pools fluidly around the high-low hem rather than standing stiffly.
- Recycled wool contains broken, shortened fibers from mechanical shredding; virgin wool's longer, never-cut staple length gives the knit greater tensile strength and resistance to abrasion, so the cardigan's dramatic, elongated silhouette is less likely to develop thin spots at stress points like elbows and hem.
- Virgin wool's pristine, contamination-free fiber surface allows for uniformly even dye absorption; this technical advantage directly enables the cardigan's saturated, flat black — a color Rick Owens treats as a central design element, not a default.
- Virgin wool can hold moisture vapor up to 30% of its own weight without feeling wet, actively buffering humidity as the body warms; in an open-front layering piece like this, that means it stays comfortable over bare skin or over a blouse, across variable indoor-outdoor conditions.
How the cut creates its distinctive drape
- A pointed high-low hem drops significantly in back, creating an asymmetric, trailing line that elongates the silhouette and echoes Owens’s gothic, elongated aesthetic; on a 5'10" model in size small the back point falls well below the knee, so for most wearers it becomes a full-body, almost cape-like drape.
- Ribbed finishes at the cuffs and hem add weight and structure to the edges, ensuring the drape hangs cleanly and the high-low hem maintains its dramatic shape without curling—this is a functional detail that translates Owens’s austere, disciplined aesthetic into a wearable garment.
- The 100% virgin wool is knitted with inherent mechanical stretch, which means the cardigan stretches to accommodate layering but recovers its shape after wear, preserving the integrity of the loose, draped silhouette and keeping the ribbed cuffs and hem sharp over time.
- The fine-gauge virgin wool is lightweight and fluid, so the cardigan falls in soft, liquid folds rather than stiff pleats, moving with the body and reinforcing the unstructured, effortless drape that the brand’s product copy calls 'dramatic and unstructured'.
- The loose, open-front cut wraps the body in a softly draping layer that suggests enclosure and privacy, channeling Owens’s recurring monastic theme where clothing becomes a protective volume rather than mere adornment.
- The cardigan’s sleeves are cut close to the arm while the body falls into a generous A-line, a deliberate Rick Owens proportion play that builds a strong shoulder-to-hip triangle and keeps the dramatic volume from overwhelming the wearer—the contrast reads as sculptural rather than sloppy.
The Rick Owens design philosophy in this drape cardigan
- The term 'glunge' was coined for Rick Owens' distinctive blend of grunge deconstruction and glamour, and this cardigan lives inside that tension: 100% virgin wool offers a plush, luxury hand, while the open front, asymmetric drape, and raw ribbed edges deliberately disrupt any conventional polish.
- Owens has said he 'think[s] in three dimensions' and that his work is 'much more similar to sculpture' than to fashion styling, which directly accounts for the cardigan's architectural cut: fitted sleeves and ribbed trim give the piece a structured armature, while the voluminous body cascades in gravity-defined folds that read as a carved, mobile form.
- Owens describes his creative indecision as 'collapse and control,' and the cardigan materializes that paradox: stretch-ribbed sleeves control the body's outline while the open, draping front surrenders to collapse, creating a silhouette that feels both deliberately composed and on the verge of unraveling.
- The knit is characterized as lightweight and stretchy, which enables the dramatic floor-skimming drape without the heaviness that would make a long open cardigan drag or pull on the shoulders — the fabric retains the soft, airy volume of a cloak while staying easy to wear.
- Made in Italy signals a supply chain known for precision wool construction, which is essential for balancing the tight ribbing on the sleeves with the loose, even drape of the body — a marriage of non-elastic knit and volume that lesser factories would struggle to execute cleanly.
- Owens' affinity for arte povera — an artistic movement that elevates humble, unadorned materials — finds expression in the cardigan's pure 100% virgin wool composition, which forgoes synthetic blends or heavy chemical finishes to foreground the wool's inherent texture and drape, a deliberate reduction to the essential.
- The pointed high-low hem is a signature Owens device for vertically stretching the silhouette; combined with the open front, it draws the eye downward in an uninterrupted diagonal line, producing the 'elongated silhouette' that Owens has consistently pursued across his deep-black collections.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Black open-front long cardigan with draped waterfall sides, visible ribbed mid-panels, raw-edge hem and long fitted sleeves; shown on a model from the front, cropped at mid-thigh.
- Overall silhouetteOpen-front long cardigan with a relaxed, draped waterfall hem that falls lower at the sides and shorter at the center front.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.05 · w 0.84 · h 0.90 (medium) - Front opening and collarStraight, unfastened front panels forming a narrow shawl-like collar running from the neck to the hem without visible buttons or closures.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.04 · w 0.40 · h 0.60 (high) - Ribbed mid-panelsHorizontal ribbed knit texture across the mid-torso area forming a band that contrasts with smoother knit on the upper chest and lower side drapes.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.20 · w 0.64 · h 0.22 (high) - Hem finishRaw, slightly uneven hem edge at the center front with a subtle frayed look on the lower edge of the front panels.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.57 · w 0.60 · h 0.18 (high) - Sleeve constructionLong sleeves that are fitted at the forearm with visible horizontal gathering or slight ruched texture near the wrist on the right sleeve.
1 region
x 0.67 · y 0.54 · w 0.18 · h 0.32 (high) - Side drape detailAsymmetrical, flowing side panels that extend below the central hem line and create layered, scarf-like drapes at both hips.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.58 · w 0.20 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.74 · y 0.58 · w 0.18 · h 0.36 (high) - Visible texture and knitFine knit appearance overall with smoother knit on upper panels and tighter ribbing where panels meet; knit stitch visible at this resolution.
1 region
x 0.25 · y 0.10 · w 0.50 · h 0.60 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a neutral light gray background showing a model cropped from the chin to mid-thigh, soft diffuse lighting with minimal shadows and slight reflection on fabric folds.
- Model cropping and poseModel shown from just below the chin to mid-thigh, standing facing forward with arms relaxed at sides; left hand partially visible and right hand visible at hip.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.00 · w 0.76 · h 0.95 (high) - BackgroundEven light gray studio background with no visible props or texture.
- Lighting and shadowsSoft, diffuse lighting producing gentle shadows in the fabric folds and a slight shadow on the background to the right of the model.
- Clothing layering contextCardigan worn over a dark top and dark trousers with visible light-colored drawstring on the trousers; these undergarments are not described as product details but are visible in the image.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.56 · w 0.28 · h 0.30 (high)
Colors
deep black· cardigan main#0E0D0E- Overall silhouetteOpen-front long cardigan with a relaxed, draped waterfall hem that falls lower at the sides and shorter at the center front.
- 02
Product
Right-side view of a long black open-front knitted cardigan shown draped on a model, with a long ribbed sleeve and a pointed drape hanging below the hip.
- Silhouette and drapeOpen-front cardigan with long front panels that hang down past the hip on the right side, forming a tapered pointed drape at the lower edge.
1 region
x 0.58 · y 0.40 · w 0.30 · h 0.52 (high) - Sleeve constructionLong fitted sleeve on the visible arm with a ribbed knit texture and subtle horizontal ribbing at forearm and wrist; sleeve appears slightly ruched at the wrist.
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.22 · w 0.22 · h 0.40 (high) - Material and textureFine knitted fabric with visible knit stitch texture on sleeve and front panel consistent with a soft wool knit; fabric surface appears matte.
1 region
x 0.58 · y 0.18 · w 0.34 · h 0.58 (medium) - Hem detailLower edge of the front panel shows an uneven finished edge with a small irregularity or slight fray at the pointed tip.
1 region
x 0.72 · y 0.78 · w 0.15 · h 0.15 (high) - Shoulder and collarOpen, unstructured shoulder line without a visible collar; front panel falls away from the shoulder creating a relaxed drape.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.02 · w 0.36 · h 0.30 (medium) - OcclusionCardigan is worn over a separate sleeveless black top which covers the torso and is visible under the cardigan; the model's hand partially occludes the lower front panel.
2 regions
x 0.42 · y 0.18 · w 0.30 · h 0.40 (high); x 0.68 · y 0.68 · w 0.12 · h 0.20 (high)
Other
Studio shot showing the right-side of a model cropped at mid-thigh against a plain light gray background with soft even lighting and minimal shadow.
- Shot compositionThree-quarter crop of a standing model from upper chest to mid-thigh, model turned slightly toward the camera with the right side more visible.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - BackgroundUniform light gray seamless background with even tone and no visible texture or props.
- Lighting and shadowSoft, diffused lighting from the front-left creating gentle shadows along the cardigan folds and minimal high contrast.
- Model presencePartial model visible including neck, jaw, torso, right arm and hand; face is cropped so only lower face and jawline are visible.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.00 · w 0.46 · h 0.30 (high); x 0.66 · y 0.62 · w 0.18 · h 0.28 (high)
Colors
deep black· cardigan body and sleeve#0E0E0E- Silhouette and drapeOpen-front cardigan with long front panels that hang down past the hip on the right side, forming a tapered pointed drape at the lower edge.
- 03
Product
Rear view of a long black knitted cardigan on a model showing a central back seam with a narrow ribbed panel, long fitted ribbed sleeves, and asymmetric draped side hems extending below the hips.
- Center back seam and rib panelA vertical center back seam runs down the middle of the garment with a narrow ribbed rectangular panel stitched over the upper-to-mid back.
1 region
x 0.35 · y 0.08 · w 0.30 · h 0.60 (high) - Asymmetric draped hemsLower hem is wide and banded across the back, with long draped panels hanging down at both sides creating an asymmetric waterfall effect that extends below the trousers.
3 regions
x 0.18 · y 0.68 · w 0.64 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.02 · y 0.60 · w 0.20 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.66 · y 0.60 · w 0.22 · h 0.36 (high) - Long fitted ribbed sleevesSleeves are long and close-fitting with visible rib knit texture continuing from the shoulder to the wrist.
2 regions
x 0.10 · y 0.18 · w 0.22 · h 0.50 (high); x 0.62 · y 0.18 · w 0.28 · h 0.50 (high) - Sheer side insetA slightly sheer or more open-knit vertical side inset is visible under the left underarm area contrasting with the denser back knit.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.28 · w 0.12 · h 0.28 (medium) - NecklineShallow, rounded neckline with a narrow knit finishing at the nape.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.02 · w 0.28 · h 0.12 (high)
Other
Studio shot showing the model from the rear against a plain light gray background, cropped at mid-thigh with soft, even lighting and minimal shadows.
- Shot compositionModel is centered, shown from the upper back to mid-thigh, image cropped above the mouth and below the knees.
- Background and lightingUniform light gray background with soft, even studio lighting producing gentle shadows along the sides of the garment.
- Model hair and visible profileShort brown hair and partial right-side facial profile of the model are visible at the top of the frame.
1 region
x 0.50 · y 0.00 · w 0.30 · h 0.12 (high)
Colors
black· body and sleeves#0E0E0E- Center back seam and rib panelA vertical center back seam runs down the middle of the garment with a narrow ribbed rectangular panel stitched over the upper-to-mid back.
Documents & Data
Q&A
4 answered- What is the recommended care method for this cardigan - can it be machine washed or should it be dry cleaned only?
- The product listing does not include care instructions, but 100% virgin wool typically requires dry cleaning to maintain its shape and avoid shrinkage.
- Is this cardigan lightweight for layering or a heavier knit suitable for colder weather?
- This cardigan is made from fine 100% virgin wool with a loose, draped silhouette, which suggests a lightweight to mid-weight knit suitable for layering in cool weather rather than heavy winter wear.
- How does the 'Black' color compare to Rick Owens' typical deep black - is it a true black or does it have any undertones?
- Rick Owens is known for his signature deep black with no undertones. The 'Black' color in this cardigan is consistent with that aesthetic—a true, flat black.
- Does this virgin wool knit have any anti-pilling treatment or specific construction to minimize pilling?
- The product listing does not mention any anti-pilling treatment. Virgin wool knits can pill with wear, but proper care (such as gentle washing or dry cleaning) can help minimize it.