I am in the process of upgrading my selection of scents. I just purchased Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet and I am testing it out. My question for the board is what role does a scent play as an accessory? Should it be unique to the individual and suit his personality. And if that were to be the case how can one determine if a particular scent suits him?
I like subtle scents and that is why I stick with the citrus family.
Also how much cost and what brands of scent will give a man a certain exclusivity amongst the rank and file of cologne users?
A very nice and sophisticated choice in my opinion. Light, fresh, yet nicely complex.
I think scent should be another part of your signature along with your taste in everything else.
Only you can decide what suits you best. That's what being you is all about.
The exclusivity of different brands purely relates to context. You need to see what the herd is doing and if it's not for you then follow your own taste. This will make your choice more 'exclusive'.
Cost needn't be what it's all about.
IMVHO
t.
Interestingly enough I have found a good bay rum one that never goes out of style and is about as subtle as they come. Complexity however makes me to try a bit of witchhazel from time to time. When I seek the nostalgia of a barber treat however the odur of clubmans is just above reproach. I am known to also use an occassional splash of some 50 cent cologne that my nephew introduced me to 20 years ago from his little school shoping for christmas gift thingie called canoe.
Now about these 64 dollar words and fragrances, I am not yet up todate on but am thinking of releasing something oursleves when we go public and I think our first rendition may aptly be called brimstone for the devil in us all.
On a serious note I think the main thing is to choose a fragarance that you do not smell so much on yourself and then it will be subtle enough for others.
Since those around you smell the fragrances you're wearing more than you actually do, ultimately what appeals to you might be onerous to others. One way to find a happy balance is to spend some time at the fragrance counter of men's stores and see what women (or men) are buying for their significant others. I did this recently at Barneys and the experience was very enlightening, though I, personally, did not like the fragrances that one gaggle of women were going orgiastic over.
Last edited by Marc Grayson (2007-02-04 13:11:00)
This is a sore point with me. At one time, I used a lot of them, frgrances that is, and I think it confused the issue. Then theres the fact that I am quite warm blooded which meant that the heavier scents were in people's faces all day long. Of course, the lighter scents evaporated off me quickly.
I use a few Creed colognes (Green Irish Tweed, New Tabarome, Zeste Mandarin, Erolfa) because my father always used them. I use a few Trumpers (Wellington, Extract of Limes, Skye and Milk of FLowers) because I have always used them. I added Boucheron for evenings a few years ago and the ladies seem to really like that.
I am trying a Truefitt and Hill's Clubman at the moment. Which strangely, women are also liking, probably because you have to get near to smell it and it just smells lemony clean. I will never wear anything with patchouli in it ever again.
I think I use too many scents still but this half of what I use to use. Eventually, I will get it down to maybe 6 or seven total, 2 summer, one for women, 2 winter, one casual or something, ugh it makes my nose wriggle to think of it all. I really should use like 4 total, one winter, one summer and one casual evenings, one formal evenings but then I should probably just have 4 or 5 suits too...
I think expense plays some role because most American men dont seem to spend money on cologne (if they wear it at all). You have to spend a basic amount. Not hundreds of dollars but in the $50-100 range will serve you well.
This is a really interesting discussion for me. Sorry to fall under your stereotype TL, but I have used Royall Bay Rhum and Royall Lyme most of my cologne wearing life because my dad said so, basically, and also because I know that I will find them at Brooks.
This area would be that in which I'd be most interested in really branching out and experimenting with something a little different, more edgy, or English, or what have you.
I imagine one could go for more of a hip edge to his somewhat more traditional look in a subtle way by changing his scent.
I think my question would be where to sample and or purchase these different boquets?
I really know nothing about where any of these are sold.
Last edited by Coolidge (2007-02-04 13:52:14)
This is another subject about which I am appallingly ignorant. I have never worn anything with a fragrance (and these were not selected on that merit) other than shampoos, shaving cream, deodorant or, very occasionally, aftershave (a gift). I suspect this non-aesthetic, so to speak, is rooted in the "lager lout" subcultures of football, rugby, and hockey where I spent the better part of my youth.
Interestingly I recently disposed of all the fragarences that was granted to me over the past 20 years and I rarely wore at all and most relativly expensive ones. All rather loud ones as well. I find them offensive for sure.
Then again I find loud fragrances on women extremly offensive.
A nice sublte flavor like navy is a blessing where as some of the more expensive ones reak with terror.
Here you can find a most excellent and gentle fragarance for under 50 bux. I strongly reccoment the one with the atomizer or mister
http://www.nellbutler.com/CANOE_M.html
You will not be dissapointed
I really hate to be a contrarian, but there is a lot to be said for white dial and witch hazel.
May not work for you, but you'll never have anyone in the elevator ask what fragrence you are wearing.
At any rate, it's hard not to comment that another forum has a thread going where guys are exchanging ideas on what wonen's fragrences they prefer (on themselves, that is). May just be a troll egging them on. If so, they are responding famously.
In my now long distant callow youth I used to splash Brut on all over for dates. Finally a long suffering girl friend took me on one side and forcibly explained the errors of my way. The upshot was being towed around the local department stores looking for a Brut replacement. The two things I remembered where that everyone's skin reacts differently to scents so what works for one person may well not work for another, she loved YSL Opium (hey this was the 70's) but it smelt like ditch water on her. And that your nose adjusts to constant scents tuning them down if not out so topping up is a bad idea unless you want to clear all surrounding areas.
Eau Savage by Christian Dior elicits favorable reactions, in my experience, especially in warmer climates.
I grew up with the Royall Bay Rhum mentioned by Coolidge in one of his previous posts. My parents would bring it back from Trimmingham's on their trips to Bermuda. Several years ago, I discovered California Antilles Bay Rum, which is arguably better.
In my early 20s, I briefly made a foray into Brut that was cut mercifully short when a friend remarked, "You smell like a goddamned Iranian." (As a caveat, the few Iranians I've met have been gentlemen and did not smell of Brut.) In any case, his opprobrium probably saved me the embarrassment of being told in far less diplomatic terms by some fine young lady.
In recent years, I have tried Calvin Klein's Eternity (or was it Infinity? -- anyway, it was some such thing) until my girlfriend brought me back something called Van Gils from Amsterdam and also gifted me with YSL Live Jazz and Body Kouros. These are the three I use now.
I'm interested to sample the Penhaligon fragrances, as I know where they're available locally.
Some great participation from the membership here. I wonder what people do when they have a strong cologne and dont want to use it as an aftershave but also do not want another aftershave scent clashing with it. Is there an aftershave that's gentle on the face and is relatively unscented?
Last edited by Ziegfield (2007-02-05 17:39:26)