Feeling Man (1989)
by Jil Sander

Since it was my original quest to find this discontinued fragrance that led me to BN, it is only fitting that I write my very first review about it. FM is a sweet floral(lavender, raspberry & plum) perfectly paired with a warm tobacco base. The scent is intoxicating and has brought many many compliments from women every time I wear it. The lavender is sharper in the opening, but becomes milder as it drys down, perfectly balancing the sweet fruit and tobacco notes. FM's silage is somewhat restrained but perfect IMO, because it's personality isn't the type to scream for attention. Whoever is within arms reach will reach to be in your arms! The longevity is great, as it will last all day. This fragrance ranks among my top 5. I'm clinging to my last few minis that were purchased on Ebay...wish they'd bring it back.

This a great scent. I purchased it at Bloomingdale's in Dec '92. I really enjoyed wearing it. It's a mixture of cotton candy and tobacco. It was very avante garde for that time. I would definitely buy it again but I can't find it anywhere.

Sweet fruits and tobacco. Quite nice and I wish my sample had a little more to go on.

I used to own this, and I would buy it again if only I could find it. The fragrance was great! The bottle design never really fit the fragrance and was bit on the cheap side.

One of my all time favorites. Cotton Candy and Tobacco. Very masculine.

Every few months, the forum will have a "Bring it back!" thread about discontinued fragrances. After Patou PH, Feeling Man is usually right up there in terms of requests. Given that kind of publicity and the generally favorable comments, more than once I've had my finger poised on an auction to buy bottles ranging anywhere from $75-150. Luckily, I refrained and spent my money elsewhere.

Receiving a decant of it from a fellow Bnoter, I can see why members enjoy it. It's a nice scent overall. BUT, it is by no means a brilliant scent, nor is it one to search the earth or pay a high price for. It feels very much like a late 1980's designer scent; in the same universe as Antaeus, Baie de Genievre, or even Quorum (for a lower priced alternative). Actually, given the choice between Feeling Man and Antaeus, I'd take Antaeus. FM is interesting, yes (and considerably better than the bland JS offerings still in production), but it does feel a little dated and hardly worth the high cost a discontinued bottle will cost. Spending close to $100 for a bottle, given all the other options out there, would seem like a waste. While we like to lament some discontinued fragrances and chide the "suits" who make those decisions, sometimes these things happen for a reason. The search for the long lost Holy Grail continues...