Reviews of Richard James (2003)
by Richard James

This rose, suede and herbal composition is truly amazing – it smells both classic and contemporary at the same time. A very formal and classy fragrance that I would have dearly loved to add to my wardrobe.

So, what’s the problem? Well, after 30 minutes or so, I could hardly smell a thing. After a couple of hours, I couldn't smell anything at all! Forum posts have stated that this may be due to olfactory fatigue but, personally, I severely doubt it.

If it wasn’t for sillage and longevity issues, this would have been a sure addition to my wardrobe.

Please, please bring out an EDP version!

[Original submission date: 10 April 2008]

I don’t like this one. I think it is stuffy. I get plenty overwhelmed by the tuberose, which ruins it for me.

Wore this some years ago now and really enjoyed it's richness and individuality. There is one caveat though -- someone thought i was sucking 'Tunes' (cough lozenges) and I had to agree there is a similarity. The herb notes are maybe too strong and tend to dominate. Definitely worth trying though.

A wonderful fragrance, sharing top honors with Dunhill '34 and Jean Patou, though not as warm as either. Nevertheless, a mastepiece of elegance. Sooner or later the question must be faced: Do I want to smell like a worldly executive with impeccable taste, or do I just want to get laid?

Reading the Female Fragrance Forum, and its credo that " It's not the scent, it's the man." I believe it's a reasonable assumption that you will not be promoted to CEO of the Universe, nor even offered a free line of Saville Row suits, simply because you wear this EDT.

And yet . . .

A superb "blended" fragrance. It's somewhere between dusty and powdery, but not to the point of being overwhelming. There is a touch of "soapiness," but not in a bad way, and it's not sweet or too dry. Longevity and sillage are excellent, but it's not a "power frag."

A smoother Gucci Envy for Men? A toned-down Burberry Brit for Men? If there is such a thing, this is it. Subtle, suave and utterly intriguing. They throw everything but the kitchen sink in this one and you expect disaster. Quite the opposite. To my nose, four notes dominate and captivate: ginger, rose, suede & sandalwood. A very green Ginger starts the show. Soft and elegant, done well here not unlike Burberry Brit for Men. Slowly morphs into a floral rose that's so subtle you can miss it if you're not careful. Rounds out into dusty and powdery suede/sandalwood finale. Regarding the powder, this is so well crafted you don't mind being done & dusted. Just leave the wig at home! Great in the cold but can work in the warmer temps. Perfect in a suit at the office. Feels British in a Michael Caine sort of way.

I hate to break it to you guys - but this fragrance is remarkable similar to Lagerfeld Classic, which, unfortunately, too many people despise.

A great scent, nonetheless, and if you're a smoker, this fragrance has the remarkable ability to pick up any smoke notes...

More arabic in style than Lagerfeld Classic, because of the easily disceernable and much more quantative rose and incense notes.

Another reason to love it. A great fragrance.

Enjoy! I know my grilfriend does!

They say every old city has two faces. With Richard James' roots planted firmly in London amongst the distinguished tailors of Saville Row, so too does his signature scent - a contemporary fragrance that has been created with a remarkable sensitivity to traditional values. It is unmistakably British.
This scent is not to be taken lightly... it boasts an intriguingly devilish base, veiled cleverly by tangy citrus, rich florals and herbaceous accords. I wore this fragrance every day for a month before fully succumbing to its rich allure, - sometimes in awe and sometimes unsettled by its dramatic contrasts. Indeed, much like a stroll through the streets of London.
After a short time, this fragrance became a favourite of mine, and of those around me. As others here have mentioned, it was commented on almost daily.
Best worn with smart suits, wool coats, or velvet blazers - and certainly most appropriate (but not limited to) the cooler climes.

I bought this fragrance if not blind then certainly partially sighted, my only experience of it being after a magazine advert contained a sample wet wipe. Logged it away for future reference, but at £45 for 50ml I was in no rush to buy. Then I saw a new bottle for sale on ebay with no reserve from a private seller. Got it for half retail and was it worth, a big yes. The previous posts have described it well. On first wearing my wife described it as georgeous, go start, and 12 year old daughter as "womanish" It is not a fragrance for the office or for warm weather, but a best suit fragrance as a previous reviewer said. It will replace Chanel por monsieur and Givenchy gentleman as my formal fragrance, it shares the same sence of class as these. I will not be wearing this afternoon on the golf course, but what the hell this smells so nice.

The other reviewers have done excellent work in describing this scent. Rose and suede, though very masculine and more to the formal side, classy, sophisticated indeed. It darkens the further it dries down, but never loses the rose and suede character. I agree - the intensity and weight of this fragrance make it better suited to cold weather wear. It lasts quite well and projects lots. Expect people to know you are wearing something when you wear this. Reminds me of many 80s scents, only updated, more pleasant to today's sensibilities.

fantastic,elegant,i have received many comment.good for cold days . thumb up

A perfectly balanced rose fragrance for men. Smooth lush suede notes balance out the ripe rose smell while spices mingle in the background. Refined and elegant, sure to be a classic one day. Terribly hard to find in the states though. Lasts quite a while, can't see myself wear it once the temps go above 80 though.

takes very little. a hit under 65 degrees.

Very sophisticated, one of the most exiting new scents around. Contains a plethora of ingredients such as: Bergamot, Mandarin, Clean Starched Shirt Accord (!), Ginger, Green Tea Leaves, Petitgrain Citronnier, Rosemary, Basil, Cardamom, Coriander, Evening Dew Tuberose, Lily of the Valley, Moroccan Rose, Lavender, Suede, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Tobacco, Amber, Vetiver, Musk and Oak Moss. Have received many, many compliments when wearing this scent, and it is definitely one of my personal favorites. Better suited for Autumn and Winter; funnily enough, it even smells a bit like Christmas.