Rick Owens Maglia- Naska Lupetto

Two decisions separate this from an ordinary mock neck. The hem is asymmetric, so the sweater ends at different heights around the body and the line across the hip is a diagonal rather than a horizontal. And the body is panelled, meaning it is built from more pieces than a knit requires, with the seams placed to shape it. Neither is necessary. Together they turn a plain sweater into a constructed one, and that construction is the reason to choose it.

Lupetto is the Italian for the collar: a short standing neck, taller than a crew and shorter than a roll, which covers the throat and sits flat under a jacket.

The mock neck is the most useful sweater shape there is, and this is the one with something drawn into it. We took it for the hem, which does more for a silhouette than any amount of detail at the neck would, and because cashmere at this weight in black is a piece a customer will wear two hundred days a year.

Ninety-seven percent cashmere, three percent wool, made in Italy, in black. Mock neck, asymmetric hem, panelled detail.

The asymmetric hem means the length varies around the body by design, so the sweater will not sit level and is not meant to. The panelled construction shapes it more than a plain knit, so it follows the body slightly closer. It layers under a jacket and over a shirt.

With a straight or wide trouser, so the diagonal at the hem has something plain to read against. Under the tailoring here. Nothing at the neck.

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.

Alongside it, the Maglia Tommy Lupetto, the Maglia Biker Round Neck, and the Maglia Cropped Crater Knit. The Giacca In Pelle Naska Biker shares the Naska name. There is more on the house on the Rick Owens designer page. Everything we currently hold from Rick Owens is listed together.