Rick Owens Dress

As an avid fan of avant-garde fashion, I have always admired the dark, edgy aesthetic of designer Rick Owens. His draped silhouettes, expert tailoring, and incredible attention to detail appeal to my love of architectural shapes and textures in clothing. For years I have coveted owning an authentic Rick Owens dress to add to my personal collection of statement pieces, but finding the right one to suit my style and budget proved to be quite the undertaking.

After months spent obsessively researching reviews, poring over runway photos, and stalking resale sites hoping to score a second-hand treasure, I finally bit the bullet and embarked on a mission to purchase my dream Rick Owens dress. Through my epic search, I got an up-close look at the range of styles, textiles and shapes that the avant-garde master produces for his legion of cult-like followers. Here is the inside scoop from my quest to find the perfect Rick Owens dress for my wardrobe.

The Many Silhouettes and Styles of Rick Owens Dresses

A Rick Owens dress can take on many forms, from slinky jersey sheaths to voluminous structured gowns. As I searched through countless online listings and brick-and-mortar boutiques, I encountered these core dress styles again and again:

The Tunic Dress – Oversized and elongating with extended shoulders, these Rick Owens tunic dresses create his signature cocoon-like silhouette. I tried several on in varying lengths, enjoying how the loose shape contrasted with the fitted long sleeves.

The Draped Dress – Flowing, asymmetrical dresses with bodices draped in strategic peaks and gathers are a Rick Owens specialty. I fell for a jaw-dropping black jersey version with a cowl neckline and curved hemline.

The Pencil Dress – For body-hugging flair, Rick’s pencil dresses deliver with long sleeves, strategic cut outs along the torso, and sleek silhouettes. I swooned over a racerback pencil in washed leather with a small back slit.

The Maxi Dress – For formal flair, Rick Owens’ maxi dresses are long, pleated wonders, some with daring thigh-high slits. A Grecian-inspired black maxi dress with a mock neck and front slit hypnotized me.

The Shirt Dress – Owens’ twisted take on a classic, his shirt dresses feature oversized proportions and bold details like horn-shaped buttons. I tried an asymmetric black denim shirt dress with dramatic sleeves and collar.

After trying on such a wide range of styles, I realized I was drawn to Rick Owens’ drapey, flowing shapes in dark neutrals like black and grey. The search helped me narrow down my perfect dress silhouette.

Where To Buy Rick Owens Dresses Online

As an internationally renowned luxury brand, authentic Rick Owens dresses don’t come cheap, with most ranging from $500 up to $3000. So finding the best deals and trustworthy retailers was crucial in my dress hunting journey. Here were my go-to e-shops for scoring Rick Owens dresses online:

• Farfetch – This luxury fashion platform carries an impressive selection of current and past season Rick Owens dresses. I loved browsing runway collection looks on Farfetch.
• Net-a-Porter – The high-end online retailer stocks a well-curated selection of Rick Owens. Great for finding best-selling styles in full size ranges.
• MyTheresa – Along with the latest Rick Owens collections, MyTheresa has a convenient personal shopper service to help you find your perfect dress.
• SSENSE – The avant-garde e-shop always has unique Rick Owens dress options at the best prices. I loved their sale section too.
• Luisaviaroma – An amazing Italian retailer carrying the full breadth of Rick Owens collections. Helpful customer service and fast shipping.
• TheRealReal – My favorite luxury consignment site had lots of second-hand Rick Owens dresses at steep discounts, perfect for scoring vintage grails.
• eBay – For hard-to-find pieces, eBay had some hidden Rick Owens dress gems if you filter carefully for authenticity. I found several long-discontinued styles.

For the widest selection and best prices, buying my Rick Owens dress online was definitely the way to go. Just beware of counterfeit websites, always verify authenticity.

How to Wear and Style Rick Owens Dresses

The styling possibilities for Rick Owens dresses are endless thanks to their sculptural shapes and avant-garde vibe. As I daydreamed about how I would style my future Rick Owens purchase, here are some key outfit ideas I came up with:

• With edgy layers – Rick’s drapey dresses pair perfectly with leather or denim jackets, asymmetric coats and luxe knitwear for texture.
• With rugged boots – Combat, biker or cowboy boots balance out the femininity of Rick’s dresses for a femme-masculine interplay.
• With a wide belt – Cinching a belt around the waist adds emphasis to the flowing shapes of Rick’s signature dress silhouettes.
• With a structural bag – Mini geometric handbags, avant basic totes, or even just a sleek clutch offer contrast to a billowy Rick dress.
• With daring accessories – Don’t be afraid to pile on goth-glam accents like chokers, stacked cuffs or a bold cuff. Let the accessories stand out against a muted Rick dress.
• With personalized layers – Rick’s dresses are the perfect blank canvas for expressing yourself through customized jackets, personalized hoodies, or printed shirts layered on top.

After considering all the badass ways to style a Rick dress, I couldn’t wait to get creative with layers and accessories once I found my perfect look.

Rick Owens Dresses Run Large – Size Down!

Here’s an important tip if you are shopping for Rick Owens dresses anywhere: they run at least 1 size large, often 2 sizes bigger than average dresses. Rick’s oversized avant-garde aesthetic is the reason behind the exaggerated sizing.

As someone who normally wears a size Medium, I wisely tried on Rick Owens dresses in size X-Small and Small. The Large and Medium options absolutely engulfed my frame. If buying online, thoroughly consult the size chart and size down significantly. You want the dress to drape, not drown you!

This consistent oversizing is crucial to account for when shopping for Rick pieces. Don’t get hung up on the size label, just focus on how the dress actually fits your body. Follow my lead and try sizing down up to 2 full sizes for the most flattering Rick Owens dress silhouette.

The Price Range for Rick Owens Dresses

As expected from a luxury fashion house, Rick Owens dresses come at luxury prices. During my search, these were the typical price brackets I encountered for both new and pre-owned Rick Owens dresses:

• $500 – $800 – For more casual Rick Owens styles, like oversized t-shirts, asymmetric tanks and basic jersey dresses.
• $800 – $1500 – The typical range I saw for signature Rick Owens dresses in outlets and secondhand retailers. More intricate details, better fabrics and more structure start in this range.
• $1500 – $2500 – Mid-tier main line Rick Owens dresses often fell into this bracket. More elaborate shapes, sleeves, draping and fabrics justify the price jump.
• $2500 – $3500 – High-end Rick Owens dresses in this range came from premium collections and limited editions. Red carpet and runway looks or specially treated fabrics (leather, silk, etc.) demand the highest Rick prices.
• $3500+ – The rarest and most intricate Rick Owens dresses can command prices upwards of $3500 and beyond. We’re talking hand-finished couture-like confections and one-of-a-kind custom pieces.

For my first Rick Owens dress, I decided to target the $800-$1500 range for a quality investment piece that didn’t completely bankrupt me. Now I just had to pick the perfect style!

The Divine Drape and Flow of Rick Owens Fabrics

More than anything else, the fabrics Rick Owens chooses for his dresses are what take them to heavenly levels. During my dress shopping journey, I became enamored with the exquisite textiles gracing his designs:

• Flowing Viscose – Silky soft with a gorgeous drape, viscose jersey fluidly conforms to the body. I desperately wanted a maxi dress in flowing black viscose.
• Liquid Silk – For unparalleled opulence, Rick’s silk dresses have an ethereal movement and luster. A silk midi felt like wearing air in the best way.
• Slouchy Cashmere – Nothing beats Rick’s draped cashmere dresses for ultimate comfort and coziness. I swooned over a ribbed grey version.
• Crushed Velvet – For cool tactile texture, dresses in plush devoré and washed velvets begged to be touched. A cowl neck velvet dress embraced like a luxe robe.
• Washed Leather – The perfectly broken-in leather on Rick’s leather dresses molds flawlessly to the hips. A leather pencil dress fit like a lambskin glove.
• Custom Denim – With artful fading and distressing, Rick’s hand-sourced denims create sensationally soft shirt dresses. No jean stiffness in sight!

After taking in the divine tactile experience of Rick’s fabrics first-hand, I decided the magic drape of viscose or silk would be ideal for my maiden Rick Owens dress purchase.

Finding The Perfect Fit in Rick Owens Dresses

Step 1 in my mission was identifying my ideal Rick Owens dress style and fabric. Now came the crucial step 2 – finding that style in my perfect size and fit.

The oversized, flowing nature of Rick Owens dresses makes nailing the fit tricky. During my mission, I tried his dresses in every size variation possible, learning these key fit pointers:

• Size down significantly – Rick’s dresses run extremely large. Size down 1-2 sizes for the right oversized (not engulfing) fit.
• Look for shoulder seams – Proper shoulder alignment helps Rick’s oversized dresses drape better through the body.
• Ensure sleeve coverage – Rick’s long sleeves should fully cover your wrists to balance oversized proportions.
• Cinch in waist volume – Use wide belts to define and tame the middle forRick’s signature cocoon look.
• Pick proper hemlines – Maxi or midi lengths keep Rick’s dresses elegantly flowing rather than overwhelming.
• Embrace the column – No need to nip or tailor his dresses – enjoy the straight up and down fluid shapes.

With focus and patience, I finally found my white whale: a stunning size X-Small crushed velvet maxi dress with perfect shoulder and sleeve proportions to complement my petite frame. The fit was divine!

Hunting Down Discounts on Rick Owens Dresses

Considering the staggering full retail prices, scoring a discount became my top priority in achieving my Rick Owens dress dreams on a budget. Here were the best discount shopping tips I learned:

• Shop sale sections first – Online retailers like Ssense and MyTheresa heavily discount last season’s Rick pieces by up to 60% off!
• Browse consignment retailers – Sites like TheRealReal offer authenticated pre-owned Rick finds at steep markdowns. Condition varies so inspect item closely.
• Check outlet selections – While limited, certain outlet shops carry official Rick Owens outlet product marked significantly down. Call ahead to check dress inventory.
• Join loyalty programs – Signing up for sites’ email lists gives early access to sales plus member-only promotions.
• Time end of season sales – Retail sites clear out remaining Rick Owens inventory just before new collections launch.
• Hunt for coupon codes – Check blogs and Google for possible active Rick Owens promo codes you can apply at checkout. Even 10% off helps!
• Consider payment plans – Some retailers like SSENSE offer installments which can make that discounted splurge purchase more accessible.

With smart discount shopping tactics, I scored my crushed velvet dream dress for 60% off thanks to perfectly timing a clearance sale. Patience and persistence pays off!

The Moody Hues of Rick Owens Dresses

While color isn’t necessarily Rick Owens’ main focus, the dark and moody hues he gravitates towards have become signatures of his avant-garde vision. Across my dress quest, these were the most prevalent colorways I encountered for Rick Owens dresses:

• Inky Black – Deepest, richest black acts as a blank canvas for draping and texture. The ultimate Rick Owens color.
• Heather Grey – From pale fog to charcoal, grey adds subtle neutral dimension in soft knits or washed leathers.
• Bone White – Stark, ghostly white makes Rick’s dresses really pop for an angelic yet edgy dichotomy.
• Faded Black – Washes of black take on green, brown and grey tinges for a weathered, vintage effect.
• Blood Red – Bold, siren reds offer a rare dramatic jolt of color to maintain Rick’s brooding glam vibe.
• Nocturnal Blue – Intense midnight blues and purpley blacks create a slick, gothic feel.
• Curdled Cream – Souring and muddying bright white with greiges and taupes softens Rick’s dresses.
• Shadowy Lavender – Deep foggy purples add a slight feminine touch to the dark Rick aesthetic.

I decided to embrace the dark side by choosing my crushed black velvet maxi dress. The perfect shade to reflect my vampy Rick Owens dreams!

Caring for Delicate Rick Owens Fabrics

Once I had my precious Rick Owens dress in hand, keeping the luxe fabrics looking immaculate became top priority. Based on care instructions, here are my best tips for laundering and protecting investment Rick pieces:

• Hand wash only in cold water – Never machine wash or dry clean Rick dresses unless the tag explicitly states to do so. The agitation risks snagging delicate fabrics.
• Use mild, bleach-free detergents – Harsh soaps can strip oils from fabrics like silk or discolor dye. Opt for gentle cleansers safe for delicates.
• Air dry flat – Never wring out or hang Rick’s dresses to dry. Let them lay flat on a towel to retain the fabric’s shape and drape.
• Steam or hand press – If needed, use a garment steamer to smooth out wrinkles and creases. Avoid ironing.
• Store folded or hanging – Keep Rick dresses stored properly between wears, either folded in tissue in a drawer or hung on thick padded hangers.
• Spot clean stains immediately – Blot any stains on Rick’s dresses right away using a mild soap and damp cloth. Don’t let them set in.
• Check care instructions – If your Rick dress has unique fabric blend or appliqués, always verify the exact cleaning methods first.

With proper delicate care, I’m confident my velvet Rick Owens dress will last me for decades of turn heads in the seasons to come.

Navigating Rick Owens’ Return Policies

During my Rick Owens dress quest, I made sure to thoroughly check return policies in case my online purchase didn’t work out for any reason. Here is a primer on Rick retailers’ exchange and return policies:

• Net-a-Porter – Full refund within 14 days. Return shipping is free.
• MyTheresa – 14 day free returns. Initial customs and shipping fees non-refundable.
• SSENSE – Items can be returned for any reason within 14 days. Customer pays return shipping.
• Farfetch – 14 day returns from shipment. Return shipping fees may apply.
• Luisaviaroma – 15 days for returns. Customers are responsible for shipping costs.
• TheRealReal – 10 day returns for store credit or exchange. All final sales are final.
• eBay – Varies by seller. Counterfeit and custom made Rick Owens dresses are not eligible for returns.

Trying on and inspecting Rick pieces thoroughly in person is still ideal if possible. But most retailers overall offer convenient return time frames – just be sure to meet their policy deadlines.

Reviews from Real Rick Owens Dress Owners

As I hunted down my dream Rick Owens dress, customer reviews became my holy grail for narrowing options and gauging real life fit intel. Here were the key takeaways I learned from reviews:

• Order multiple sizes – Heed reviewers who recommend getting both your normal and a downsized option and return what doesn’t fit. The oversized Rick cut is hard to gauge.
• Maxi > midi on petites – If you’re under 5′ 5″, reviewers recommend only buying Rick’s maxi hemlines. Midis will completely overwhelm smaller frames.
• Scrutinize photos – Study user-uploaded images to spot any poor stitching, uneven hems or fabric defects before purchasing that specific dress.
• Soak up fit notes – Look for review tips on elements like sleeve length, waist gaping, chest coverage, etc. to determine if that dress will flatter you.
• Read the negatives – Don’t ignore bad reviews mentioning issues like poorly executed zippers, ripped seams, or overpriced for the quality.
• Ask questions – Many reviewers kindly respond if you comment asking for clarification on sizing, shipping, color accuracy, etc. to inform your buying decision.

Real customer reviews became my trusty crystal ball for predicting the in-person fit, feel and quality before buying. I avoided several disasters thanks to reviewer warnings!

The Origin Story of Rick Owens’ Fashion Empire

As I immersed myself in the covetable world of Rick Owens dresses, I became fascinated by the background of the infamously avant-garde designer himself. Here are some key highlights from Rick Owens’ path to fashion fame:

• He was born Richard Saturnino Owens in 1962 in Porterville, California.
• Rick originally studied fine arts and architecture, getting his start in fashion by designing furniture.
• He launched his own label in 1994, debuting his first full fashion collection in 2002.
• His aesthetic centers on expert draping, dark glamour, and blending masculine and feminine elements.
• Rick is heavily inspired by vampires and gothic themes mixed with modern brutalist architecture.
• He presented his collections in Paris starting in 2003 and has become a permanent fixture of Paris Fashion Week.
• Celebs like Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, and Kim Kardashian have become muses of his edgy vision.
• Recent collections have featured dystopian, avant athleticism fused with his signature drapey romance.
• Rick continues to run his luxury house on the mantra “We thrive on doom and gloom.”

Getting to know the legendary Rick Owens through his revolutionary decades-long career only made me treasure my dress as a work of art even more. I’m officially a Rick disciple!

How To Spot Fakes: Authenticating Rick Owens Dresses

Another crucial lesson from my journey was learning how to spot counterfeit Rick Owens dresses flooding fake fashion sites. Here are the telltale signs proving a Rick Owens dress is the real couture deal:

• Inspect stitching – Authentic Rick Owens dresses have expertly finished seams and hems with minimal stray threads.
• Study fabric shine – Fake Rick dresses look cheap and over-shiny compared to the luxe matte drape of authentic dresses.
• Assess weight – Real Rick fabric has thickness and density, while fakes use paper thin, flimsy synthetics.
• Check care tags – Real Rick tags use crisp fonts and often include decorative elements along the sides.
• Review zippers & hardware – Authentic Rick dresses have engraved and weighted metal hardware, while fakes use plastic imitation parts.
• Look for proper branding – Genuine Rick dresses include signature elements like fabric content tags and etched “Rick Owens” metal hardware.
• Confirm country of origin – Made in Italy, France or Germany tags prove European craftsmanship on real Rick dresses.
• Examine unique details – Replicas won’t accurately imitate all the special touches like internal elastic bands and fabric layered across zippers.

By sticking to sellers I knew sold genuine luxury goods, I successfully avoided knock-off Rick disasters!

Trying on Rick Owens Dresses IRL: The Ultimate Experience

When available in my area, nothing compared to being able to try on authentic Rick Owens dresses in person. Here’s why it’s worth making the trip to luxury boutiques when you can:

• Feel fabrics flow and drape against your body – stiffness and lightness are red flags for synthetic blends.
• Assess weight and density – high quality Rick fabrics have noticeable heft.
• Check out intricate construction details up close – only authentic Rick dresses mimic his artistic visions flawlessly.
• Avoid size mishaps – determine your ideal Rick sizing definitively when you can try multiple sizes.
• Get expert style advice – sales associates well-versed in the brand can offer personalized fit guidance.
• Bask in the luxury experience – from sleek minimalist boutiques to glass cases and personalized appointments, the whole Rick shopping experience just feels rarefied.

Though fewer exist compared to his international presence, make a pilgrimage to a Rick Owens brick-and-mortar boutique if you can swing it! Nothing compares to slipping on the real deal.

Sighting Rick Owens Dresses In The Wild on Celebrities

One of the most thrilling parts of my Rick Owens dress research was seeing how celebrities styled his avant garde designs for red carpets and streetwear. Here were some of the stand-out Rick dress sightings:

• Rihanna slaying in a icy lavender Rick halter gown with a daring thigh-high slit at the Met Gala
• Naomi Campbell looking regal in a strapless black column Rick dress with a contrasting white minimalist blazer on top
  • Bella Hadid turning heads in a liquid silver double slit Rick gown with a sculptural corset bodice
• Grimes embracing her baby bump in a futuristic Rick Owens Lilies asymmetrical black dress with a dramatic train
• Kim Kardashian oozing gothic glamour in a figure-hugging ribbed tank Rick dress with matching opera-length gloves
• Cardi B stunning in a curve-hugging black Rick Owens column dress with strong padded shoulders

Seeing how my fashion icons styled Rick Owens was the ultimate inspiration. I couldn’t wait to rock designer looks just like my muses! Finding my perfect Rick dress felt like joining a chic, exclusive club.

Comparing Rick Owens to Other Avant Garde Designers

For lovers of dark opulence and sculptural silhouettes, Rick Owens reigns supreme in the avant-garde realm. But other boundary-pushing designers also offered tempting options during my dress quest. Here’s how Rick Owens dresses stack up to their artistic peers:

Julius – Also masters oversized shapes and avant uniforms, but with more Japanese deconstructionism. Less focused on fem glam than Rick.

Ann Demeulemeester – Similar monochrome and biomophic inspiration to Rick, but with more punk romanticism and asymmetry.

Yohji Yamamoto – Cutting-edge Japanese sculptural shapes like Rick, but focused on clashing prints and oversized drapery.

Gareth Pugh – Edgy, gender-defying dresses echo Rick’s bravado, but with sci-fi influences. More graphic and futuristic.

Maison Margiela – Avant couture techniques like Rick, but John Galliano’s artistic direction veers more whimsical.

Alexander McQueen – Dark elaborate gowns of intricate construction rival Rick’s, but more embellished romantic punk.

In the end, no other designer quite captured Rick Owens’ precise balance of avant sculpture, wearable drape, and moody glamour I was searching for.

Which Occasions Call For Rick Owens Dresses?

Once I had my velvet Rick Owens trophy dress in hand, plotting all the perfect events to debut it at became my favorite daydream. Here are the occasions that I decided demand making a dramatic entrance in Rick Owens:

• Black tie galas – Flaunt gothic elegance in a Rick Owens gown with diamond chokers and opera gloves.
• Fashion industry events – Pay homage to the avant garde at runway shows, designer talks or magazine parties.
• Art gallery openings – Channel your inner muse in a Rick dress standing alongside thought-provoking installations.
• Dark wave concerts – Mosh in mystical comfort wearing Rick’s drapey fabrics to bands like Depeche Mode or She Wants Revenge.
• Club nights – Make the dance floor your runway and own the darkness in a leather Rick dress and platforms.
• Fashion photoshoots – Pose powerfully in your Rick best while channeling high fashion editorials.
• TV interviews – Confidently share your witchy wisdom with the world dressed in mystical Rick Owens.
• Halloween – Forget basic costumes, go full gothic glamour-meets modern edge in a Rick dress with vampy makeup.

Any occasion can be graced by the dramatic charm of Rick Owens’ avant garde designs if you style it with the right dose of attitude.

My Final Rick Owens Dress Shopping Takeaways

Reaching the end of my intense hunt, I can definitively say the quest to find the perfect Rick Owens dress challenged me, educated me, and utterly enthralled me. Here are the key lessons from my journey that hope will enlighten future Rick buyers in their own dress journeys:

• Meticulously study his array of styles and shapes to find your ideal avant silhouette that flatters.
• Seek out hands-on experiences at luxury boutiques whenever possible to truly appreciate Rick’s artistry.
• Patience and persistence pay off – stalk sales and discounts to get Rick pieces well below retail.
• Size, fit and fabric weight make all the difference in achieving that ideal Rick flow. Take time to nail all three.
• Proper delicate care keeps these investments impeccable for years – hand wash only!
• Owning Rick Owens means joining an elite circle of avant fashion lovers. Wear your pieces with head held high.

Was every painstaking moment of my journey to Rick Owens dress nirvana worth it? When I finally slipped on that perfectly oversized crushed velvet maxi, feeling the divine flow consume my being in opulent black magic – absolutely yes. In fact, I think spotting my next Rick conquest may already be in order…