What makes fragrances for men a classic? Is it the way they should be scented which suggests mass appeal? Or is it their packaging that either has solid lines and “masculine” colours or comes packaged in a nondescript manner? Could they also be considered classic fragrances if they’re made for men from Houses that have been traditionally doing so?
The answer is no (you’re probably not a Men’s Folio reader if you say yes), no (come on, dude, it’s 2023), and maybe. How we consider classic fragrances for men would be how they reflect the aesthetic of the Houses they’ve come from but with something naughtily subversive within their waters. Prepared to be surprised by these once you take a dip into them.
Pictured Above: Hermès Un Jardin a Cythere Eau de Toilette
The latest addition to the Un Jardin line smells neither like fruits nor foliage. Christine Nagel, the House’s nose, has decided that the seventh addition to the nature-inspired fragrance collection should smell like golden grass and fresh pistachio.
Acqua Di Parma x Samuel Ross Colonia
Sometimes, classic fragrances for men just need a slight facelift. Colonia’s formula has not changed in 107 years but its bottle certainly has. 2023’s edition sees Samuel Ross of A-COLD-WALL* decking it out in three brightly-hued shades.
Atelier Cologne Cedre Atlas
Remember what we said about classic scents that have a subversive twist? This one by the elegant Parisian House Atelier Cologne adds a zesty twist of lemon and the spiciness of papyrus to a classic cedar wood note.
Bulgari Pour Homme Extreme Eau de Toilette
One of the most classic fragrances for men, and by no means the safest, spices up a House favourite by adding quite the soft-flowery scent of black tea Darjeeling that lifts a warm heart of cardamom, pepper, rosewood, and Gaiac tree.
Dior Sauvage Elixir
If you’re unfamiliar with one of the most classic fragrances for men (don’t ask us, just ask its legions of fans on TikTok), its amber-woody juice from the formula of its predecessors is now even more powerful.
Diptyque L’eau Papier
What does ink on paper smell like? Crisp sesame, soft warm musk, and sweet mimosa as formulated by its nose Fabrics Pellegrin. If you recognise it somewhat, Pellegrin is the man behind Do Son, Eau Rose and Volutes.
Givenchy Gentlemen Society Eau de Parfum
One of the latest classic fragrances for men toes the line between being unabashedly floral with the richness of the narcissus flower and in true Givenchy form, achingly sensual with cedarwood, sandalwood, and a lush heart of vanilla.
Gucci Guilty Parfum Pour Homme
Sometimes, to create a fragrance that becomes a classic for men means taking a sniff back in time. This one is quite a retro one with its blend of rose and chilli pepper that gives it a hedonistic seventies twist.
Tom Ford Electric Cherry
The latest addition to the Cherry series has two lingering notes of sweet cherry and heady jasmine but classic ingredients like musk, pink pepper and amber lend it some depth.
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our March 2023 issue!
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