re: Let's Talk Men's Cologne

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clearly you are knowledgeable

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Please don’t confuse ‘opinionated’ with knowledgeable. I am but a novice commenting on things I’ve owned in the last 20 years.



From what you’re describing, you may “step up” to Bleu de Chanel and it’s probably about what you’re into. As I sort of went into in my first one, Creed Aventus turns more heads and gets more questions. But it’s not my favorite. It’s not for everyone. It’s expensive. Batch to batch smells different which could be frustrating, so there are quite a few negatives with it.


Fragrantica gives pretty decent reviews and profiles along with links to reputable resellers so you can see what pricing should be. The positives and negatives are pretty spot on except I would disagree with “synthetic.” I do find it hard to place exactly what the scent is, but something about smells very natural and interesting like you want your brain to look for where you’re smelled it before (bottle is blue. There is a blueberry “feel” to it, but it doesn’t smell like blueberries. It’s unusual in that respect).

The negative I agree with most that sounds like you and I would both agree on or even like is that it’s “too generic.” It is pleasant without having people “gaw” over it. It just sort of “blends in” and “goes.” You want something that “goes anywhere, anytime.” This would certainly fit the bill. It’s never out of place, but in the summer/spring, I tend to lean more on the Creed Virgin Island Water because it’s just lovely. I think this Chanel really has the perfect amount of sillage (smell you across the room-ness) - people will notice it but either like it but not mind it. It always lasts all day. It, unlike some, doesn’t really change a ton throughout the day (the “dry down”). There is a small difference, but it is almost a just constant 6-10 (usually right at 8) hour pleasant smell that can stick around all day long.


Without remembering the exact way the Nautica blue smells, after reading about it and what I THINK I remember of smelling it, I would call this the “grown up” version of that one (which in no way is supposed to call that one “kiddy” or “beginner” or “teenage” or any of those things. But if you want something “nicer” that’s in the ballpark, that’s the first thing I’d try (though it does not appear to be in Belk’s online catalog, sadly(but Chanel’s bags are and they have a significant cologne category. Possible the online stuff isn’t complete). Should be at Dillard’s and Macy’s if those are around. Probably not your Walgreens/CVS. And for as little as $5ish (unsure what shipping is from the link above, maybe plan up to about $15, which is your previous budget , so maybe a bit much) you can try it).


As far as the torso one, maybe Jean Paul Gaultier is the one you’re thinking of.



ETA- there is the smallest hint of a “heavy” part in BDC that I would suggest makes it “balanced” and “mature,” but it it’s too much, Ralph Lauren Blue doesn’t have it and would probably fit your bill. But if you’re “reaching down” to that level, you may not be any happier than you are with the nautica. There’s nothing wrong with liking an old, cheap scent. I still wear Curve by Liz Claiborne on occasion. And worse: Candie’s (I think it was a $30 bottle. It sits on my bathroom counter right next to the $300-400 Aventus (which was a gift, I may add).




Unsolicited: Chanel Mademoiselle or Gabrielle are wonderful scents for women of any age, any occasion. Chloe is the popular answer that I admittedly don’t mind but also just don’t get.
I’m still driven wild when my wife wears Curious by Britney Spears (which I asked her if she was wearing on the first day we ever spent together, she asked why. I said en ex-girlfriend wore that, so she didn’t wear it again for 10 years until I decided to buy a bottle of (it in no way reminds me of the girlfriend. I just love the scent, despite it being cheap and marketed to high school girls in the early/mid2000s)).

Bois Imperial from Essential Parfums. It's a spicy wood fragrance that lasts all day into the evening and it's magnificent. Look it up on Fragrantica or BaseNotes. $89 and three sprays will last you all day long.

Issey Miyake

Creed Viking x 5+ years, clean fresh scent not overpowering

Geurlain Vetiver Extreme is my daily everyday fragrance. Sucks that it’s discontinued though.

Been wearing Versace Blue Jeans recently as it’s been muggy and rainy.

BVLGARI Aqua Amara is another one of my favorites but it’s also discontinued

been using outlaw cologne, specifically "blazing saddle" and "gambler". gunpowder, leather, sandalwoods in their scents.

art of the shave straight sandalwood, but been hard tof ind lately

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OP said men’s cologne

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Meh. It's unisex.

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Issey Miyake

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Love this for dates. It’s unique. Hermes d’orange is great also.

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Fragrantica

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My man!