Rick Owens Maglia- Biker Round Neck

This is the plain cashmere crewneck, and the two things done to it are worth the difference. The first is the seam down the centre of the back, which no sweater needs and which divides the back into a symmetrical pair of panels, so the garment is constructed rather than simply knitted. The second is a pair of small slits at the sides of the hem, which lets the sweater sit over a trouser without pulling across the hip and gives it a slight lift at the sides when you move.

Neither is visible from across a room. Both are the reason this feels different on than an ordinary crewneck, along with the cashmere itself, which is soft from the first wearing rather than after a month.

Every store sells a black cashmere crewneck. We carry this one because of the back seam, which is the house's mark and the only piece of design on the garment, and because the weight is right: substantial enough to wear alone, fine enough to go under a jacket. It is the sweater we recommend when someone wants one thing from this house that they will wear every week.

Ninety-seven percent cashmere, three percent wool, made in Italy, in black. Crew neck, seam down the centre back, small slits at the sides of the hem.

A straightforward crewneck cut, worn alone or under a jacket without adjustment. The side slits mean it sits over a trouser rather than gripping at the hip. Cashmere relaxes with wear across a day and recovers when folded and rested.

Under any of the tailoring here. On its own with a straight trouser. Black cashmere asks for nothing.

Fold it, never hang it. Hand wash cool with a gentle detergent, press the water out between towels, and dry flat away from sun and heat. Early pilling is normal and a cashmere comb deals with it. Our care guidance covers cashmere in detail.

The Biker Level Round Neck carries the same spine seam in an ultra-light knit. Alongside it, the Raglan Crewneck, the Maglia Naska Lupetto, and the Maglia Tommy Lupetto. There is more on the house on the Rick Owens designer page. Everything we currently hold from Rick Owens is listed together.