Rick Owens Abito – Tank Mini Dress

This is the shortest and plainest member of the tank family, and it is a good demonstration of how little the house changes when it makes something simple. The centre seam is still there, running down the spine. The hem is still raw. The rib is still fine enough to be semi-sheer, which makes it a layering piece as much as a dress. The round neck and racerback are the only real departures from the longer tanks, and they make this the more casual of the family.

Cardinal Red on a garment this small is a different proposition from red on a full-length dress. It is a block of colour worn against something rather than an outfit in itself, which is the most useful way to own a strong colour.

Why we selected it

We took it because a short, semi-sheer rib in a colour this strong does more work in a wardrobe than its plainness suggests, and it is worn constantly. That is the honest answer and it is a short one.

Materials and construction

Eighty-eight percent viscose and twelve percent silk, in a fine rib. Made in Italy, in Cardinal Red. Round neck, racerback, raw hem, centre seam down the back, semi-sheer, thigh length.

Fit notes

A fine rib holds close and stretches across the body, so it wears larger than it hangs. Semi-sheer, and short. Take your usual size.

Styling and care

Over trousers or a long skirt, under an oversized knit, or on its own with a boot. Hand wash cool, dry flat, reshape while damp, and keep it out of heat, which is what takes the colour out of a saturated red. Our care guidance covers the general principles.

Related pieces

We would point to the Abito – Skorpio Tank Dress in the same cloth at mid length, the Tank Dress, and the Gonna – Edfu Skirt in the same Cardinal Red. Everything we currently hold from Rick Owens is listed together.