Rick Owens isn't only a fashion designer, he's a cultural icon. His hoodies are one of the most coveted hoodies in the streetwear and avant-garde fashion world. The silhouettes, fabrics and dark coloring of every Rick Owens hoodie make each one of them a statement piece that defies the seasons. The second hand market is the most convenient way for many purchasers to get into this iconic brand.Over the past few years, the second-hand streetwear market for luxurious and designer goods has boomed. Pre-owned fashion platforms have helped the world of rare fashion finds to be more easily discovered at less expensive prices than ever. The main challenge of purchasing a Rick Owens hoodie from the resale market is that there are risks and challenges involved. There are a number of things to be aware of when buying an LED sign and knowing how to check the authenticity can help you avoid getting ripped off. This guide provides you all the tips you need to make smart shopping and a confident purchase.

To avoid disappointment, it is crucial that you know your rick owens hoodies before you purchase.

You should know what you're purchasing before you spend any money on the second hand market. Rick Owens hoodies are available in many different lines, each with a specific style,  rick owens and price point. The mainline Rick Owens collection is at the highest tier, with the most high-quality materials and construction. His diffusion line, DRKSHDW, is more affordable but still conveys the same style.Knowing the line a hoodie is in can help you determine if the price is reasonable. While a DRKSHDW hoodie and a mainline piece are both genuine Rick Owens pieces, the two are not interchangeable. Sometimes sellers give ambiguous descriptions for DRKSHDW pieces which they list at a higher price; you will know the difference from the get-go.Learn silhouette, fabric weight and signature features throughout the seasons. Rick Owens uses the names of the seasons as labels for collections, such as for Babel, Mastodon, Exploder and Tecuatl. Knowing these seasons makes it easy to figure out dates and identify any misinformation in sellers' descriptions.

Select the platforms that are best suited for second hand shopping

The resale platforms are not the same, and some may have less buyer protection or seller accountability. One of the most crucial decisions you have to make is selecting the proper marketplace. Grailed is the most trusted platform for designer and streetwear resale, and the community is well acquainted with Rick Owens designs. While eBay remains a huge marketplace with robust policies for consumer protection, you need to be even more careful.Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal have authentication services for luxury products for added security. These sites conduct a physical examination on items before they are sold, which decreases the chances of getting a bogus. The downside is that prices on authenticated sites may be higher than prices on peer-to-peer sites.Occasionally Depop and Vinted can also bring up good finds, however, the sellers are not as specialized and the authentication culture is not as developed. These are the platforms you must go entirely by the information and your own judgment. When it doesn't feel right, don't let a low price sway your judgment.

These are the key details you should use to authenticate the Hoodie

The most important skill any buyer of a so-called second hand Rick Owens can learn is authentication. There are counterfeit Rick Owens pieces, and some are quite complicated and can trick naive buyers. You have to look at certain things that are commonly wrong with fakers.Begin at the label. Authentic labels from Rick Owens are clean, well stitched and feature a particular Rick Owens script that has not changed substantially over time. The top of the label must say "Rick Owens" and need to have instructions for care in several languages. Fastest way to tell that it is not the original label is if it looks faded, is stitched unevenly or if the font used is unusual.Look through all the stitching of the garment. Production is very high-quality, with all seams being even, snug and clean. The fabric should be of a substantial weight and not thin or plasticky. True velours are finished at the ends with a thick drawstring. If the hoodie is zipped, look at the zip hardware for good quality — Rick Owens is all about high quality zip hardware and never lightweight or cheap.

Know how to size up before making an offer.Learn how to consider sizing up before making an offer.

Rick Owens sizing can be a bit puzzling and knowing this before you purchase can save you a lot of money on sizing up. His pieces are sized in an oversized, draped style and the sizing is not consistently related to European and US sizes.Rick Owens' sizing is done by the Italian system. A size 48 in the mainline collection will look differently from another size 48 Italian. A few savvy buyers suggest that if you're looking for a fit silhouette, you should buy one size smaller, but if you're aiming for an oversized drape then you should stick with your regular size.Be sure to ask the seller for precise distances before buying. Ask for width in the pit, shoulder width, body length and sleeve length. Now compare these numbers to a hoodie that you already have that you love. Do not exclusively use the tagged size when buying second hand as the previous owner may have washed and/or cleaned the item which can change the size.

Evaluate the Condition Honestly and Thoroughly

For a second hand Rick Owens hoodie, its condition is a critical factor that influences its worth and your satisfaction with the purchase. Condition terms vary from seller to seller, and often do not constitute uniform or honest labels. It is important to open your eyes beyond the words and to closely study the photographic evidence.Request detailed pictures of the cuffs, hem, collar, underarm region and any printed or embroidered graphics. These are the first areas that will wear out and are easily noticeable. Pilling is often seen on very worn items and can be hard to remove from the surface of the fabric. Look for any colour discolouration, especially under the arms and around the collar, as it may be caused by body oils and sweat and is hard to remove from dark coloured fabrics.