Rick Owens pieces are built to last, but the materials — heavy leather, raw and distressed finishes, dense jersey, delicate knits — each need different handling. Always check the care label sewn into the garment first; the notes below are general guidance for the most common materials.

Leather jackets

Leather is the brand’s signature and the material that rewards care the most.

Store the jacket on a sturdy, padded hanger, away from direct sunlight and away from any heat source. Keep it out of plastic — if you are storing or travelling, use a breathable garment bag so the leather can air.

For spills, blot immediately with a clean microfiber cloth rather than rubbing, which pushes moisture into the grain. Never use household laundry detergent or soap on leather — they strip the natural oils and leave it stiff or cracked. Use a leather-specific cleaner sparingly when needed.

Condition the leather roughly once a year with a quality leather conditioner to replace the oils that wear and weather remove, and consider a leather protectant spray reapplied yearly to guard against rain and spills without changing the texture. If the jacket ever gets damp, let it air dry only — never near a radiator or in direct sun.

For light creasing, a gentle steam (or a low-heat iron through a slightly damp cotton cloth, kept moving) relaxes the leather without scorching it.

Leather shoes and sneakers

The leather on the footwear is typically thick and minimally processed, which means it shows its character but also dries out if ignored. Wipe the uppers with a soft dry cloth after wear, keep them off radiators, and condition occasionally so the leather stays supple. Let damp shoes dry naturally, away from heat, ideally lightly stuffed to hold their shape.

Knits

Knitwear is the easiest to ruin and the easiest to protect. Hand wash in cold water with a small amount of gentle detergent, agitate briefly, rinse, and then dry flat on a towel. Never hang a wet knit — the weight stretches it out of shape permanently. Dark pieces, especially black, can release dye, so wash them separately the first few times.

Jersey and cotton tees

The draped jersey and cotton tees do best on a cold, gentle hand wash or a delicate machine cycle, then laid or hung to dry rather than tumbled, which can shrink and distort the cut. Check the individual label, since weights and blends vary across the lines.

Distressed and raw finishes

Many Rick Owens pieces come distressed or with a deliberately raw finish. That is the design, not damage — resist the urge to “fix” frayed edges or uneven dye. Wash gently and infrequently to preserve the look the piece was made with.

A general rule

When in doubt, do less. Spot clean rather than soak, air dry rather than heat, and condition rather than scrub. These pieces respond far better to gentle, regular maintenance than to occasional aggressive cleaning.