Every gentleman has some basic items in his wardrobe, but he should also have several basic fragrances in his arsenal. You might need different perfumes so you could always pick the proper one.
The choice may depend on the time of the day, the mood, the season of the year or your outfit. Fragrances can create very strong emotional ties and people will start associate you with certain scents. That’s why it is very important to have a collection of nice and proper ones. Decent fragrances are not cheap at all, so there is no sense in having 50 of them as after 5 years or so they won’t smell that great. Today I would like to present you a list of 5 classic fragrances which I generally use and which many of you may like as well. But first of all I want to explain to you 5 main fragrance concentrations so you have better understanding of their differences.
Fragrance concentrations
Intensity and longevity of the scent depend on the percentage of oil amounts. The actual percentage may differ from one perfume house to another so I will give you approximate figures.
Parfume
Consists the highest percentage of aromatic compounds, generally from 20% to 30%. Usually, it is the most expensive of all fragrances and lasts for six to eight hours. It has less alcohol than all other types so people with sensitive skin should better opt for a perfume, it won’t dry out the skin.
Eau de Parfume
Following Parfume, Eau de Parfume usually has fragrance concentration between 15% and 20%. The most common type which is good for day-to-day usage. Also is good for sensitive skin and generally lasts for four to five hours.
Eau de Toilette
One of the most popular types which has oil concentration from 5% to 15%. On average, Eau de Toilette will last for two or three hours and is good for everyday wear.
Eau de Cologne
Eau de Cologne usually has from 2% to 4% fragrance concentration which is much lower than all other types above consist. It is not expensive and usually comes in larger bottles as you have to use more fragrance, it lasts up for two hours.
Eau Fraiche
Eau Fraiche has the lowest oil concentration of all and it is something between 1% and 3%, the rest is mostly water. It will also last up to two hours.
Usually, I prefer Parfume or Eau de Parfume, but in some cases I can also use Eau de Toilette and Eau de Cologne. Below you can find the list of my favorite fragrances.
5 classic fragrances
EAU SAVAGE, DIOR
An iconic citrus Parfum, sophisticated and elegant. Fresh and complex at the same time, it will last for up to nine hours. A refined mix of bergamot, woody vetiver and myrrh. Classic and timeless fragrance which is appropriate for evening occasions.
ACQUA DI GIO, GIORGIO ARMANI
Fresh and relaxed Eau de Toilette. The smell of freedom which is associated with wind and water. It can boast of the perfect balance of bergamot, neroli, tangerine, rosemary, persimmon and patchouli. This fragrance is good for some daytime events and cocktail parties in summer or spring. Will last for up to 6 hours.
EXPLORER, MONTBLANK
Authentic Eau de Parfume for adventurous men. It has a woody aroma and represents the perfect combination of bergamot, vetiver and patchouli. The bottle is covered with the imitation leather and really draws attention. Good for some adventure or traveling. On average, its longevity is about 8 hours.
TERRE D’HERMES, HERMES
Classic, masculine, woody Eau de Toilette which makes you stand out from the crowd. Not too strong yet not subtle, just the golden mean. The mix of citrus, pepper, vetiver and patchouli makes it smell great. This is the kind of a fragrance you would definitely want to use again and again. It is long-lasting, I use it mostly for office or some casual events.
COLONIA INTENSA, ACQUA DI PARMA
The real classic most of the gentlemen have. This Eau de Cologne is masculine, intense and strong. The fragrance features citrus notes of bergamot and lemon. Its leather note makes this fragrance truly elegant and sophisticated. Colonia Intensa lasts for about 3 hours and is perfect for warm seasons.
Apparently, scents are very emotional and individual thing. Everybody has its own preferences and may not like a fragrance most of the people do. These 5 classics have been tested by me, and you can’t go wrong if you purchase any of them since you enjoy the smell. You should also remember that strong scents are absolutely inappropriate for office as they may bother others so you better keep them for evening events and celebrations. I hope this article was useful, and you will surely find the best match for you.
Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola is an entrepreneur and investor based in London and operating mainly in Europe, Asia and Oceania with main focus on UK, Baltic Countries, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Middle East and New Zealand as area of interest! At the moment is the CEO of Astorts Group. He is an UK FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) Approved Person and is has great experience as director of regulated companies. He uses to dedicate part of his life to inspire others and help them achieve the most out of their life. Since he was 20, he had successfully founded and managed several companies operating in the field of management consulting, wealth management and fintech. He loves travelling, he is a cigars lover, an amateur golfer and a dapper man.