WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Perpetually dedicated to his aesthetic, avant-garde American designer Rick Owens is renowned for building on the blueprint of timeless and trending shoe silhouettes to suit the style of his edgy cult following; in other words, he takes new and established footwear classics and puts his own dark and experimental spin on them. There’s the DRKSHDW low-tops for fans of reliable lifestyle silhouettes, the Geobasket sneakers for collectors of high-top basketball silhouettes and the Beatle Bozer Tractor boots for those who love oversized leather stompers, and many more.
To get to grips with the label’s range of footwear offerings, we spoke to six Rick Owens partisans who regularly rock the designer on their feet. Below, you can discover the answer to the all-important questions surrounding Rick Owens shoes, such as: Do Rick Owens shoes fit true to size?, How comfortable are Rick Owens shoes? and How do you style Rick Owens shoes?.
Rick Owens Shoes Overview
Do Rick Owens shoes fit true to size?
Although your regular size is likely to fit, most regular Rick Owens customers opt for a size down for a more fitted and comfortable fit.
How do Rick Owens shoes feel on feet?
Rick Owens shoes may not be as comfortable as Boost-soled Yeezys or your super-cushioned Swoosh-adorned SB Dunks, but they’re still very comfy and suitable for long days spent exploring or late nights out.
How should you care for your Rick Owens shoes?
Rick Owens shoes are usually super easy to clean because they’re created with premium, durable materials. Depending on what the shoes are made with, one may choose to use anything from a cleaning brush to shoe cream to keep their Rick Owens shoes looking brand new.
Rick Owens Shoes Sizing and Fit Guide
Jadon Grundy (@jadongrundy) (He/Him)
Stylist based in Los Angeles, USA, wearing Rick Owens DRKSHDW Abstract Boots
I'm obsessed with the way Rick Owens adds new and exciting elements to existing shoes to create brand-new silhouettes. The Rick Owens silhouette I’ve chosen to style today is the DRKSHDW Abstract boot – a shoe that perfectly blends a slim Chelsea boot upper with a chunky yet contoured sneaker sole. I love the fact that this particular version of the shoe is white as most Rick Owens shoes on the market are exclusively available in black.
How do Rick Owens shoes fit?
When purchasing my Rick Owens boots, I sized down – I can safely say this size fits perfectly. I’d always recommend sizing down when it comes to Rick Owens shoes or going for your true size. FYI, Rick Owens leather shoes always stretch over time, so don’t worry if they feel a little tight when you first try them on.
How do you style your Rick Owens shoes?
I like to create balance in my everyday style by considering the shapes, colors and silhouettes of the 'fit.
Here, I’ve paired the Rick Owens Abstract boots with layers of textured garments. I started with layers of brown, white and black colors – I’m wearing a vintage woman’s shirt upon a Dries Van Noten mesh tank top with a Boris Bidjan Saberi distressed sweater. To balance out the outfit, I opted for my white skinny jeans that marry well with the chunky look of the boots. Finally, I’ve accessorized my look with Chrome Hearts earrings, a Northskull necklace and some silver and steel bracelets and rings.
How comfortable do you find Rick Owens shoes?
I currently own three pairs of Rick Owens shoes, and each pair is super comfortable. The shoes are created in Italy using high-quality fabrics, and each pair is constructed to offer a fitted yet comfy feel.
How do you care for your Rick Owens shoes?
The premium materials used to create Rick Owens shoes hold up well, but I still occasionally clean my Rick Owens shoes with regular footwear cleaner. I also make sure that I store my shoes in their original boxes.
Rick Owens Shoes Sizing and Fit Guide
Kailee McKenzie (@kaileemckenzie)
Designer, vlogger and content creator based in New York City, USA, wearing Rick Owens knee-high leather boots
I wear Rick Owens shoes all year round because they’re perfect for all occasions, especially these knee-high leather boots complete with a 5-inch wedge. I originally purchased these shoes for nights out because they’re sexy and feminine but still have a lot of edge.
How do Rick Owens shoes fit?
With some other Rick Owens shoe silhouettes, I’ve been forced to size up, but I was able to fit into my regular size with these boots.
How do you style your Rick Owens shoes?
This particular shoe is an extreme version of my everyday style – to put it another way, they represent the way I aim to look every day of my life. Today, I’ve decided to wear one of my favorite ensembles: my Rick Owens boots, Helmut Lang jersey mini dress and Rick Owens leather bomber.
How comfortable do you find Rick Owens shoes?
I'm totally convinced that Rick Owens makes the most comfortable designer shoes on the market. I especially like how supportive the shoes feel, even those that look super unusual.
How do you care for your Rick Owens shoes?
Most of my Rick Owens shoes are sturdy and low-maintenance. All I do to care for my Rick Owens boots is use a natural leather cream to keep them looking brand-new and place tissue paper inside of them when I’m not using them to ensure that their shape remains intact.
Rick Owens Shoes Sizing and Fit Guide
Sangiev Sriskumar (@sangiev) (He/Him)
Content creator and designer based between London, UK and Berlin, Germany, wearing Rick Owens Kiss Boots
My Dust Suede Rick Owens Kiss Boots are an incredible pair of boots that instantly elevate any outfit they’re paired with (no pun intended). Some days I like to wear these boots with a pair of slim trousers to draw attention to the shoes, and some days I like to wear them with wide pants to tone down the eccentric vibe of the shoe silhouette.
How do Rick Owens shoes fit?
As far as I’m aware, Rick Owens Kiss boots are best purchased in a size down from your regular size – especially if they’re made out of suede. Admittedly, they did feel a little snug at first, but after a few wears, they moulded to the shape of my feet.
How do you style your Rick Owens shoes?
The Rick Owens Kiss Boots are very daring, so I wouldn’t say they’re an everyday shoe; having said that, I have worn these boots on numerous occasions.
The Rick Owens brand is concerned with creating a capsule wardrobe that’s sleek yet experimental; hence, I’ve decided to wear my Rick Owens Kiss Boots with a Rick Owens FW21 puffer. To mix things up, I’ve paired the Rick Owens pieces with a pair of Haider Ackemann sweatpants.
How comfortable do you find Rick Owens shoes?
I was surprised to find that the Rick Owens Kiss Boots are very comfy. Sure, this isn't as comfortable as a sneaker, but as I mentioned, it’s not an everyday shoe.
How do you care for your Rick Owens shoes?
I'm not too fond of being overly protective of my footwear – I prefer my shoes to accrue scuffs over time as it gives them character. But, to be honest, unless you’re out dancing in the mud whilst wearing these boots, they don’t require a lot of attention.
Rick Owens Shoes Sizing and Fit Guide
Toreno Winn (@toreno__)
Stylist and brand consultant based in Los Angeles, USA, wearing adidas x Rick Owens Cargo Sandals
My favorite Rick Owens shoe model is the Rick Owens Cargo Sandal – the shoe I’m wearing today. This is a high top sandal from the designer’s adidas collaboration collection. Not only does this shop look and feel cosy, but it also looks better with age.
How do Rick Owens shoes fit?
I always go down a size when purchasing Rick Owens shoes. I opt for an EU 44 in most shoes, but I like to size down to an EU 43 in all my Rick Owens shoes.
How do you style your Rick Owens shoes?
Most Rick Owens footwear is versatile and can be worn with almost anything, but, in my opinion, these Rick Owens shoes pair best with classic Rick Owens ensembles or old-school Raf Simons pieces. Today, I’ve paired my cargo sandals with a ‘History of my World’ Raf Simons cape from 2005 and a pair of Raf Simons trousers from 1998.
How comfortable do you find Rick Owens shoes?
The Rick Owens Cargo sandals are the most comfortable shoes I own – they’re literally my favorite shoe. I like them because no other designer has made anything quite like them; plus, they’re a conversation starter. Even people who are not into fashion ask me about these shoes and give me their opinion on them.
How do you care for your Rick Owens shoes?
I plan on wearing my Rick Owens shoes ad infinitum. Sure, they scuff easily, but why stress about it? I tend to let the scuffs add up over time as the marks tell a story and give the shoe some extra character.
Rick Owens Shoes Sizing and Fit Guide
Angelina Malahov (@babsybabsybabsy) (She/Her)
Creative based in Bottrop, Germany, wearing Rick Owens DRKSHDW slip-on boat shoes
I love Rick Owens shoes, especially these Rick Owens DRKSHDW slip-on boat shoes because they’re comfortable, created with high-quality materials and super versatile. I chose the crinkle leather version of the Rick Owens boat shoes because they have a shiny effect that gives the kick some extra character.
How do Rick Owens shoes fit?
I was lucky enough to secure these Rick Owens shoes in my true size, and they fit me perfectly; thus, I’d recommend sticking with your regular size when purchasing shoes from the brand.
How do you style your Rick Owens shoes?
I love wearing my Rick Owens boat shoes because they harmonize well with my day to day style – I can literally coordinate them with everything in my wardrobe, from cosy sets to extravagant, elegant dresses.
Here, I’ve styled my DRKSHDW slip ons with a customized black dress and my black Telfar bag. Although Rick Owens shoes look fantastic paired with Rick Owens apparel, I enjoy mixing and matching brands to create my own unique style.
How comfortable do you find Rick Owens shoes?
The Rick Owens DRKSHDW slip ons are really comfy – I enjoy wearing them all the time. Having said that, they’re not quite as comfortable as some of the other shoes, especially sneakers, in my collection because the rubber sole is pretty hard.
How do you care for your Rick Owens shoes?
I think Rick Owens shoes look best when they’re somewhere in the middle of being super dirty and super clean. I clean my DRKSHDW slip ons with water when it comes to the rubber sole and with a cleaning brush when it comes to the leather upper.
Rick Owens Shoes Sizing and Fit Guide
Brenda Weischer (@brendahashtag) (She/Her)
Content creator and founder of Disruptive Berlin vintage shop based in Berlin, Germany, wearing Rick Owens Geobasket sneakers
I have a variety of Rick Owens shoes – including the Rick Owens x Birkenstock Arizona sandals and the Rick Owens x Converse TURBODRK sneakers. Today I'm keeping things classic by sporting the brand’s sought-after Geobasket sneaker.
How do Rick Owens shoes fit?
Naturally, the fit of a Rick Owens shoe depends on the model. Generally speaking, most Rick Owens shoes are true to size, but sometimes I go down half a size when purchasing shoes from the brand if the shoe is laceless.
How do you style Rick Owens shoes?
I only buy luxury shoes that work well with numerous outfits as I want to make the most out of them. Since I regularly wear Rick Owens apparel, I thought it'd be appropriate to invest in some Rick Owens shoes.
I would suggest pairing the Rick Owens shoes with dressy and casual ensembles to see what feels more natural to you. You could wear these shoes for your morning coffee run, then later on in the day with your dinner date outfit.
How comfortable do you find Rick Owens shoes?
I've owned a lot of shoes that I’ve had to break in, a process that can take several months. But I’ve never had to do this with a Rick Owens shoe – not even those made out of leather. In fact, I’ve walked for miles after putting on some of my Rick Owens shoes for the first time, and I’ve never experienced any issues.
How do you care for your Rick Owens shoes?
I know this information may offend footwear aficionados but I rarely take the time to take care of my shoes. If I spend a substantial amount of money on a pair of shoes, I expect them to last no matter how I treat them. These Rick Owens shoes have accompanied me to festivals, busy airports, muddy parks and bustling nightclubs, and, fortunately, they still look fresh – I guess this means they’re easy to look after.