Fahrenheit (1988)
by Christian Dior

I remember being turned off by FAHRENHEIT the first time I tried it in 1988. Maybe it just wasn't what I expected any fragrance to smell of. I mean who would've thought a combination of flowers, woods and other natural plant extracts could produce a scent so reminiscent of synthetic leather, melting plastic and burning tyres? But a recent reacquaintance with Fahrenheit revealed the extent to which my tastes could have degenerated or, as I prefer to believe, my horizons have expanded over the last 20 years. I can now appreciate this modern and rather radical take on men's fragrance, much like how punk rock shook the music establishment years ago I guess. But as a child of the 80s, its sillage is nowhere near that of its 'powerhouse' peers from the likes of Calvin Klein or YSL. Still, among proponents of popular woodsy floral fragrances, Fahrenheit must have stood out like a rock star then. To some extent it still does, even today.

Words cannot describe how much I hate this fragrance. I like and wear many scents from the 80s, but this just smells horribly outdated now - like the Le Car, piano-key rep ties, and glam metal, Fahrenheit represents the '80's at its absolute worst. It is also probably the most chemical, cheap synthetic fragrance I have ever smelled, like one of those horrible cinnamon Yankee Candles dunked in a bucket of gasoline and Aqua Net hairspray, with a heavy emphasis on the hairspray. Literally. Also, its ghastly, spicy stench can be smelled for blocks. It is the pinnacle of bad taste and tackiness.

I've received the most scathing of remarks wearing this, one of which was that it smelled of "Industrial tyre". This however still remains one of my favorites from Christian Dior. A very full-bodied mossy green scent that has great longevity and projection. A classic in my standards.

add honey, resins and sandalwood to Narcisco Rodriguez for him and you get Fahrenheit...or if you havent sniffed NR..thn simply add violets...i just don't get it. it doesnt last and is an incredibly boring scent.

Only 1 shot in required: to sicken me. A favorite of jerks, teenage boys, and those ready to refer to those who "don't get it." What you do get is a soapy (shampooey) leathery flower after the allegedly (masculine? existent?) petrol note fades. And then a feeble attempt to call the ending "wood."

The kind of "new" that fatigues. Concept scent with a bottle and a name that sells a product. For me, a person in denial about actually being boring and programmatic, their notion of "interesting."

Cant see where people get the burning tyres from because this is ok as long as you dont wear too much! Very Original fragrance!