Rick Owens
Black Crisp Fabric Short
These Rick Owens shorts are crafted from a crisp, structured organic cotton poplin fabric (TE fabric) known for its nylon-like sheen and high durability, as noted by wearers. They feature a drawcord-adjustable elastic waist, side-seam pockets, and side vents, with a straight, relaxed mid-thigh fit and a 4-inch (10 cm) inseam. Made in Italy, they are suitable for casual warm-weather wear, though the fabric has limited breathability and may produce noise when walking.
- Color
- Black
- Material
- Crisp, structured organic cotton fabric
- Style
- casual, athleisure, gothic, minimalist, streetwear
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shorts
Size
Specifications
Laid-back athletic-cut shorts in crisp organic cotton with angular side vents and drawcord waist, from Rick Owens' Spring/Summer collection.
Drawcord-adjustable elastic waist, side-seam pockets, angular side vents, made in Italy, 4-inch inseam.
- Color
- Black · black
- Material
- Crisp, structured organic cotton fabric
- Style
- casual, athleisure, gothic, minimalist, streetwear
- Occasion
- casual, weekend, vacation
- Gender
- male
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shorts
Additional Attributes
- laid-back athletic cut
- angular side vents
- crisp jet-black fabric
- structured organic cotton fabric
- drawcord-adjustable elastic waist
- side-seam pockets
- made in Italy
- 4-inch inseam
- minimalist lines
- gothic-style monochromatic colour palette
Product Insights
Rick Owens' Black Crisp Fabric Short, priced at 675 CAD but sold out at 58.5% off, is an architectural, Italian-made alternative to slouchy shorts, crafted from a stiff, indestructible TE fabric (97% cotton, 3% spandex) that holds a crisp silhouette and has a nylon-like look and feel, but traps heat, requires mild weather, and rustles when walking, softening slightly with wear.
Verified claims
- Look and feel
- Buyers say the fabric resembles nylon in look and feel, not typical cotton.
- Durability
- Buyers say the fabric is indestructible and retains its crisp silhouette.
- Breathability
- Buyers find the fabric traps heat, advising it for mild weather over hot and humid.
- Silhouette
- Structured athletic cut with angular vents, contrasting the slouchy Geth shorts.
- Craftsmanship
- Made in Italy, signaling artisanal craftsmanship from Owens' post-2003 European production.
- Color
- Jet-black with no undertones, consistent with Owens' use of black as artistic medium.
- Inseam
- 4-inch inseam measured from crotch seam to hem, industry standard.
- Fit
- Relaxed thigh fit accommodates average to larger thighs without constriction.
- Daily comfort
- Buyers report comfortable daily wear from relaxed athletic cut and durable fabric.
- Discount depth
- 58.5% off ($279.95) sold out quickly; rare discount on core black short.
- Material
- TE fabric (97% cotton, 3% spandex) extremely durable but less breathable; Italian-made.
- Brutalist detail
- Angular side vents directly echo brutalist concrete architecture.
- Design alternative
- A crisp, architectural alternative to the slouchy Geth shorts.
- Black depth
- True jet-black with no blue, brown, or gray undertones.
- Construction
- Italian precision yields angular side vents and durable construction.
- Value
- At $279.95 (58.5% off $675), the shorts are below the typical $322.86 low.
- Stiffness trade-offs
- Stiff TE fabric causes a rustling sound when walking and limits breathability, making it best for mild temperatures.
- Noise
- Fabric softens slightly with wear but stays crisp and highly durable.
- Aesthetic
- Structured silhouette, angular side vents, and true jet-black color create a sculptural look for everyday wear.
Product record
- Title
- Black Crisp Fabric Short
- Brand
- Rick Owens
- Price
- 675 CAD
- Availability
- Out of stock
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front-facing black mid-thigh shorts with a centered long beige drawstring, elasticated waist, side pockets, and small side hem slits visible on a standing model.
- SilhouetteMid-thigh length shorts with a straight relaxed cut and slightly curved outer leg seams visible at the hem.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.38 · w 0.44 · h 0.18 (high) - Waistband and drawstringElasticated waistband with a long narrow centered drawstring that extends below the hem; drawstring is a contrasting light beige color with small metal aglets.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.40 · w 0.16 · h 0.30 (high) - Side pocketsInset side pockets at the hip with the left pocket partially occupied by the model's hand and the right pocket opening visible.
2 regions
x 0.26 · y 0.39 · w 0.14 · h 0.16 (high); x 0.58 · y 0.39 · w 0.12 · h 0.15 (high) - Hem and side slitsStraight hem with short vertical side slits on both outer seams, exposing a small portion of the upper thigh.
2 regions
x 0.27 · y 0.50 · w 0.18 · h 0.06 (medium); x 0.56 · y 0.50 · w 0.16 · h 0.06 (medium) - Fabric appearanceSmooth, slightly matte black fabric with no visible pattern or texture at this resolution.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.38 · w 0.44 · h 0.18 (high)
Other
Studio shot of a standing male model against a light gray seamless background with soft, even lighting and soft shadow on the floor to the right of the feet.
- Model poseFull-body frontal pose with weight shifted slightly to the model's right leg, left hand resting at the side and right hand in the right pocket.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.02 · w 0.64 · h 0.96 (high) - Background and surfaceNeutral light gray seamless backdrop and floor with a soft shadow cast to the lower right of the model's feet.
- Other garments visibleModel is also wearing a sleeveless black hooded top and black socks with cream accents, and chunky sneakers; these items are present but not described as the product in this image.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.02 · w 0.64 · h 0.60 (high) - Lighting and image qualityEven studio lighting with low contrast and neutral color balance; image is sharp and evenly exposed.
Colors
black· shorts body#0E0E0Elight beige· waist drawstring#BDB3A2- SilhouetteMid-thigh length shorts with a straight relaxed cut and slightly curved outer leg seams visible at the hem.
- 02
Product
Front view of a pair of black mid-thigh shorts with an elastic waistband and long off-white drawstrings; a longer back panel is visible on the right side.
- Overall shapeMid-thigh shorts with a straight hem at the front and a slightly longer rear panel visible at the right side.
2 regions
x 0.22 · y 0.12 · w 0.56 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.62 · y 0.17 · w 0.18 · h 0.22 (high) - WaistbandElastic gathered waistband with visible casing across the top of the shorts.
1 region
x 0.26 · y 0.10 · w 0.48 · h 0.08 (high) - DrawstringsTwo long off-white drawstrings hanging from center front, each with a slightly darker central stripe and knotted ends.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.14 · w 0.16 · h 0.38 (high) - Fabric finishSmooth matte black woven fabric with a crisp appearance and visible straight topstitching at the hem.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.18 · w 0.56 · h 0.18 (high) - Front center seamVertical seam or stitch line visible at the center front below the waistband.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.18 · w 0.08 · h 0.12 (medium)
Other
Image shows a model wearing the shorts, cropped from mid-torso to feet, on a plain light gray studio background with soft directional lighting and subtle floor shadow; black socks and chunky sneakers are visible.
- Model stylingMale model shown from mid-torso to feet wearing the shorts with black crew socks and chunky two-tone sneakers.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.00 · w 0.80 · h 1.00 (high) - BackgroundUniform light gray studio background and floor with a soft shadow cast under the shoes.
- LightingEven, soft directional lighting from front-left creating subtle shading on the legs and fabric folds.
Colors
matte black· shorts body#0E0E0Ecream with dark stripe· drawstrings- Overall shapeMid-thigh shorts with a straight hem at the front and a slightly longer rear panel visible at the right side.
- 03
Product
Rear view of a pair of black mid-thigh shorts worn by a model; elasticated waistband, straight hem, side slits and smooth matte fabric are visible.
- Overall silhouetteRear view of mid-thigh length shorts with a straight, boxy cut and a moderately loose fit over the hips and seat.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.12 · w 0.64 · h 0.36 (high) - WaistbandElasticated waistband with gathered fabric visible around the waist; center back seam runs down from the waistband.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.09 · w 0.44 · h 0.10 (high) - Side opening / slitShort vertical side slit on the left outer hem (viewer right) creating a small opening at the side seam.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.34 · w 0.18 · h 0.20 (medium) - HemClean straight hem with a single visible stitched line along the bottom edge of each leg.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.40 · w 0.56 · h 0.08 (high) - Fabric appearanceSmooth, matte woven fabric with minimal surface texture and soft fold lines where the garment pulls at the seat.
1 region
x 0.24 · y 0.18 · w 0.52 · h 0.26 (high) - Visible model elements with productPart of the model's lower back, both legs from upper thigh to ankle, and both hands partially visible; these are worn elements not part of the product.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.12 · w 0.72 · h 0.78 (high)
Other
Studio rear-shot on a neutral light gray background showing the model from the lower back to the feet; soft directional lighting from camera left creates subtle shadows under the hem and behind the legs.
- Shot compositionFull-length rear studio shot cropped a few inches above the waist and including feet; product centered vertically and horizontally.
- BackgroundUniform light gray seamless studio background without props or texture.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - Footwear visiblePair of black shoes with thick off-white platform soles and beige strap details are visible below the shorts.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.82 · w 0.65 · h 0.16 (high) - Socks visibleBlack ribbed mid-calf socks worn with the shoes.
1 region
x 0.33 · y 0.77 · w 0.34 · h 0.12 (high) - Lighting and shadowSoft studio lighting from the left side produces mild shadowing on the right side of the legs and a subtle cast shadow beneath the shoes.
Colors
black· shorts fabric#0E0E0Eblack· socks#0E0E0Eblack· shoe upper#0E0E0Doff-white· shoe solebeige· shoe strap details#B3AD9A- Overall silhouetteRear view of mid-thigh length shorts with a straight, boxy cut and a moderately loose fit over the hips and seat.
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
2 threads · r/RickowensThe crisp TE fabric is admired for its unique nylon-like appearance and durability, but some wearers find it lacking in breathability for summer shorts.
Positive remarks on the fabric's unique appearance and durability, but concerns about breathability for summer use result in a mixed sentiment.
Themes
Use Cases
- Casual everyday shorts
- Summer shorts (with breathability caveat)
Watch Out For
Source Threads
User describes the unique feel of the crisp cotton and wishes for more breathability
I think it’s pretty cool you can make cotton look and feel like this. Never seen or felt any cotton like it. Wish it were a little more breathable though in summer.
u/gargantualar/RickowensView thread →
TE fabric is indestructible and good for daily casual wear
As noisy as TE is, it's definitely the most indestructible! Makes for good daily casual wear too.
u/RocketPowahr/RickowensView thread →