Scent/Fragrance of the Day thread

[HORNS]



Please excuse a noob question from a lurker on this thread for a while. Why are colognes such as Old Spice, English Leather, Pierre Cardin, and some others apparently considered so far below the radar that they never receive a mention by a poster? Not expensive enough for "typical" SF members? I'm not acquainted with the fragrances that receive rave reviews here, but it is hard for me to believe that all of them are so far superior in composition to some less expensive scents that only they deserve a mention. What's the deal?

To me, Old Spice is very good for its price. That being said, there certainly IS a superiority in the components of the perfumes (cologne is a type of perfume) that are mentioned here when compared to the drugstore varieties. Also there's a "been there, done that" mentality with me when considering new perfumes versus the ones you mentioned. For example, my respect for Old Spice is there, but it will always be associated with the older generations in my family and the only scent I want to stimulate memories of my past is Chanel Pour Monsieur because I have fond memories of wearing it in college, but I don't want to necessarily smell like my uncle with the Old Spice.

Also, I am exploring new scents that I previously did not appreciate, and those new scents are so truly sophisticated that once you appreciate them it then takes many, many wearings to pick out the multitude of nuances. For example, I never liked Mitsouko but now do, but those who have loved it for years are still surprised by its complexity.

I think that in this thread you will find people who are quite immune to the hype that surrounds the perfume industry and would love to experience less expensive perfumes as long as they delivered.

 

[Thomas]

^^ good question.

In some cases they're considered 'dated' (Pierre Cardin, which I wore a bit in high school) or the formula has been cheapened terribly (Brut, which I also wore in high school) or they're considered 'old man' (Old Spice, which I wore briefly in middle school - my dad's bottle).

Some scents get 'played out' like Cool Water - everyone's smelled it for so long, no one wants to wear it now. Other scents have a rougher connotation - for instance, a prominent rosemary note brings up a 70's hairy-chested vibe (Paco Rabanne, for instance). Some people can wear them no problem, but others get self-conscious and put the bottle away.

Another big reason is that once you start sampling and trying new things, you don't really revisit the older scents much. I recently bought a bottle of Polo Green (middle school) and even now it brings up memories of center-parted feathered haircuts and green chinos (School uniform). Or they bring up unpleasant memories (like Rach and Habit Rouge, or me and Giorgio for Men).

One more comment re: Old Spice. When Carter released La Baiser du Dragon it was fairly polarizing - some loved it, others hated it. Someone knowledgeable commented that it was identical to Old Spice, circa 1971 - and so what was old is new again.

And, yes, in some cases they are just flat-out better.

 

[HORNS]

Oh, and if you read this thread enough you will see that I will wear Tabac aftershave on occasion and Thomas will note that he put on Bay Rum.

And just a thought, if you are wearing Royal Copenhagen, or something else, then say so and tell us why you like it! This is a very pragmatic bunch in here!

 

[Thomas]



Oh, and if you read this thread enough you will see that I will wear Tabac aftershave on occasion and Thomas will note that he put on Bay Rum.
And just a thought, if you are wearing Royal Copenhagen, or something else, then say so and tell us why you like it! This is a very pragmatic bunch in here!

No kidding. Cheap thrills abound. And sometimes, on the right person, they smell much better than their price would suggest. Agua Lavanda is a good example of this.

 

[RedLantern]

I get down with that old spice quite often in the fall and winter! I think I might be just young enough (27) that my peers do not instantly recognize it as being old spice. I used to get compliments on it all the time (in school, when i was still trolling for teh ladies) and I assumed it was because of some freudian thing where they subconsciously associated the smell with dominant male figures . . . At the very least it makes one stick out from the crowd of frat boys wearing axe, aqua di geo, D&G blue etc.

 

[Baron]

I still wear Old Spice but I can tell that it's not the best quality because it doesn't dry down as well as a top quality fragrance. Still, I like it. I wear Tabac too, and Paco Rabanne. Azzaro Pour Homme is one of my all time favorites and it has a distinctly dated style, but I suppose it also has a big following so not sure if it belongs in this conversation. But how about Grey Flannel? I wear that one as well. And I've been a loyal user of Jovan Musk deodorant stick for years now.

 

[b1os]

Today, Amouage - Gold Man.
For the evening, Guerlain - Champs Elysées Parfum. Quite nice.

 

[johnvw]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[HORNS]

Tonight: L'Heure Bleue EdP - beautiful, deep iris, anise, and vanilla. There's no way I could go out during the day with this on because it would make me sleepy.

 

[L'Incandescent]

L'Artisan Al Oudh.

 

[Rambo]



L'Artisan Al Oudh.

who ya tryin' to scare off?

 

[Thomas]



who ya tryin' to scare off?

Speaking of - Oud 27 today

 

[Mr Melanzane]

Montale- Red Vetiver
--
I suppose others among you have had the opportunity to appreciate an educated and informed blogger such as Mr Coifan. Most entertaining.

 

[msmithunc]

I had to go with Creed Original Santal again today. I hope my samples don't run out before I can get a flacon.

 

[b1os]

L'Inc, have you seen? (STC)

Still 15% off everything in rose as a major note category with code ROSEISAROSE

http://surrendertochance.com/rose-perfumes/