Vera Wang for Men (2004)
by Vera Wang

I first got into cologne a little over two years ago while attending graduate school. Before then, I had spent most of my life working out of doors and never really developed a sense of urban fashion. And so, on the eve of my first formal occasion at school, I hastily went into a Macy’s to purchase what would be my first bottle of cologne that wasn’t Old Spice or Brut.

I immediately rejected the Armani and Polo offerings that the fragrance lady sampled for me. They all smelled too sweet, too simple, with little depth or sophistication. And then the lady sprayed a bit of Vera Wang. Something in the notes struck me as very “green,” for lack of a better word. Not quite herbal, not quite fresh, but very natural none-the-less. This faded after a few minutes leaving behind one of the most pleasant dry downs I’ve ever known.

And now, two years, 12 bottles, 100 samples, and a mini-obsession later, I still think Vera Wang is the most pleasant scent I’ve ever come across. Being a bit linear, it is not as complex as many other scents out there (for example, Chanel’s Allure Edition Blanche, which if stronger would challenge Vera Wang as my favorite scent). But unlike any other cologne I’ve purchased, my enjoyment of the scent has never faded.

Now, the scent may not be for everyone. It is not the most masculine of scents, although I would argue that few popular colognes these day are. It is also probably not appropriate for the heat of summer days or tightly packed clubs. And I even feel somewhat self-conscious wearing it on a casual day to the office as I’m left feeling somewhat over-dressed, even while wearing a suit and a tie. But for nice restaurants, evening-wear, or occasionally just a relaxing fall day, I don’t think this cologne can be beat.

I only had a vial of this and I used it up in just two applications. I am very careful with the application of fragrances so running through a vial so quickly usually indicates a lack of longevity, but I don't think that is the case, for I still notice the subtle warm leather and sandalwood accord after six hours. While the nice drydown lasts, the essence of the generic-smelling top notes is forgettable, while the nutmegian (nutmeg is being used so often in the heart notes now I thought it deserved its own term) middle has no sillage at all. This progression lacking in substance until the very end, renders the overall effect of the fragrance as passive and thus it gets a neutral rating.

A nice but generally run-of-the-mill fragrance. It has a bit of sweetness in its top and heart notes, but it isn't altogether an olfactory dessert. There's something sharp and "bubbly" in the topnotes that I would have to assume are aldehydes of some sort - it reminds me of Platinum Egoiste's opening in that regard. I can't identify the specific notes in Vera Wang for Men, but there's something about it that rounds it out and grounds it so that it never gets too sweet nor too sharp. There's something that gives it some weight and substance, likely what gives it a sense of formality or classiness. I think it could be worn quite well as either a casual or more dressy fragrance - but its longevity is rather lacking. After about 2 hours on my first test, it was really quite weak. It lasts like an EDC, from the few that I've tried thus far.

Overall, Vera Wang for Men is nice, but I'm certainly not buying a bottle of this after my sample runs out - assuming I even feel like using it up.

dont like like this! remind me of someone id rather forget...:) otherwise to subtle, smell like toothpaste...

Green fruity with a slightly smoky and sweet undertone. Smells like a drone clone but I can't figure out which cologne reminds me of (could be a Hugo Boss.or Lacoste). It's not bad and seems like it lasts a while.

REWRITE Vera Wang for Men by Vera Wang
Kind of a rip off of J'Adore, Vera Wang is a very nice, subtle scent. It is quite discreet in its green and citrus opening, and in its spicy nutmeg and leather heart. I really don’t get the anise except in a secondary sort of way, but the nutmeg and leather are present in an excellently smooth accord. Whether the top or the middle, the scent is sweet and pleasant but missing that special something that makes for a thumbs up fragrance. The dry down is a wood and tobacco that has even less presence than the previous accords. Longevity is not the best — three or four hours at the most on my skin. This is an attractive, well-made fragrance that misses uniqueness, yet is quite good at convincing that there is something of substance hiding somewhere.