Rick Owens Jersey Shroud

Almost every garment treats the neck opening and the sleeve as separate problems solved separately. This one solves them as a single continuous form. The neck is tubular, and rather than stopping at the neckline it widens outward across the shoulders and narrows again into a short fitted sleeve, so what you are looking at is one draped element running from the throat to the upper arm with no seam dividing the two jobs.

The effect on the shoulder line is the reason it works. The tube broadens where the shoulder is and pulls in at the arm, which produces a slightly squared upper body and a close sleeve without any structure in either. It is all cloth and geometry. Cut in a mediumweight classic cotton jersey, which is compact with a dry handle, so the drape holds its form rather than collapsing.

Above hip length. Nothing else on the garment at all.

The Shroud is a draping problem solved in one move, and there are very few tops where the construction is the only thing there is. It also photographs poorly and wears extremely well, which is generally a good sign.

Draping the neckline into the sleeve as a single element is one of this house's recurring pattern-cutting moves, and the Shroud is its cleanest version in jersey.

One hundred percent cotton, made in Italy. Mediumweight classic cotton jersey. Above hip length, with a tubular neck that widens over the shoulders and forms a short fitted sleeve.

Above the hip. The tubular neck sits away from the throat and drapes rather than fastening, so the fit at the neck is a function of how the cloth falls rather than of sizing. The sleeve is fitted where the drape resolves. Cotton jersey at this weight relaxes across a day and recovers with washing. Take your usual size.

With black trousers, where the shoulder line is the only shape in the outfit and should be. Under an open cropped outershirt. Not under anything that covers the shoulder.

Wash cool inside out and dry flat rather than hanging, because a draped neck will lengthen under its own weight on a hanger. Our care guidance covers the general ground.

For wrapped construction, the Harness T. For a halter neckline, the Wishbone Halter T. For the plain cotton crop, the Cropped Level T. Everything we currently hold from Rick Owens is listed together.