Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › MFD Archive › Men, which fragrances marketed to women do you wear
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Men, which fragrances marketed to women do you wear

post #1 of 61
5/4/09 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
I am writing an article for a magazine about 'feminine' scents worn by men. Not unisex~ fragrance specifically has to be targeting WOMEN. Maybe even with a woman on the ad
ok not Paris Hilton but possibly something like Rive Gauche, Cristalle Vert or any luxury or niche fragrance. (No Malle, no Serge, Les exclusifs , Hermessences please)

Here's the profile of the guy I am looking to answer this thread, but all comments are welcome

Lives in USA, Urban Area NYC, Atlanta, Chicago or DC

lots of testosterone
CONTROLS the remote
Definitely from Mars
Athletic or ex athlete
savvy and sophisticated, educated

Brief comments are welcome....
TIA
Reply
Reply

Features on Basenotes

Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
post #2 of 61
5/4/09 at 1:56pm
What about Houston?

I wear Bond no.9's Nuits de Noho, this scent is marketed only for women, but it smells so good that I just had to have it!
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 61
5/4/09 at 1:57pm
Prada Infusion d'Iris and Tom Ford Black Orchid are easily worn by men - and will surely be some of the most common responses to this thread.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:01pm
Chanel No.5

Coco

Cartier Delice

The One

Gucci EDP

Gucci Rush

Fendi Pollazo

Shalimar
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:01pm
I'm not sure if I'm what you're seeking ( being Canadian, you know... ) But excluding niche, which is what I mostly wear, I wear Dior's Poison and Guerlain's Mitsouko with some regularity ( have a bottle of the former coming in the mail ).
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:06pm
I live in Atlanta, am a sports fanatic (GO BRAVES AND UGA DAWGS!), educated and consider myself somewhat of a renaissance man. I have no problem wearing Guerlain Mitsouko, Bond No.9 Silver Factory, Caron Tabac Blond and Chanel Cuir de Russie. Here is a previous thread discussing this topic -
http://community.basenotes.net/showt...light=feminine

Quick story - I was in Ulta this past weekend. It's amazing to me how people who work in the fragrance industry aren't open-minded enough to entertain the thought of a man wearing a fragrance that is marketed towards women. I was walking around looking for Aramis New West Skinscent for Women (I've read this has a wonderful melon note). I flagged down one of the SA's and told her what I was looking for. She quickly frowned and said "That's for women! Why would you want to smell like a woman?". I quickly went into my "I wear what smells good to me, no matter what gender it's marketed to" speech. After stepping down from my soapbox she quickly directed me to sample Calvin Klein Man.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:09pm
I think I qualify (I control the remote, I'm a big sports fan,I'm savvy and educated, but I'm not an athlete or ex-athlete).

The scents marketed to women that I wear include:

Jicky

Vol de Nuit

L'Heure Bleue

Cabochard

Bandit

Apres l'Ondée
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by acjigga View Post

Quick story - I was in Ulta this past weekend. It's amazing to me how even people who work in the fragrance industry aren't open-minded enough to entertain the thought of a man wearing a fragrance that is marketed towards women. I was walking around in Ulta looking to try Aramis New West Skinscent for Women. I flagged down one of the SA's and told her what I was looking for. She quickly frowned and said "That's for women! Why would you want to smell like a woman?". I quickly went into my "I wear what smells good, no matter what gender it's marketed to" speech. After stepping down from my soapbox she quickly directed me to sample Calvin Klein Man. Ugh...

I've given up trying to convince SA's. Now I just buy for a phantom female relative who happens to share my exact taste in fragrance...
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:15pm
Malabah by Penhaligon's - I'm a professional working in London in my mid-40s and love it. A glorious oriental, which smells divine on women, but different and wonderful on male skin.

I also wear Kingdom by Alexander McQueen, a rose/cumin based scent which works well on male sking.

Oh and Victorian Posy by Penhaligon's. A floral chypre which works better on male skin than female I think.

*Edit: and Black Orchid of course. I don't think of this as being a female fragrance at all so forgot to mention it. Partly too because Tom Ford SAs now describe it as unisex.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:17pm
LOL GB! Thanks for the tip - next time I visit the Guerlain counter I'll be shopping for my "spirited, sassy and stylish aunt"!
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:24pm
I wear:

Tabac Blond

Cabochard

Bandit (EdP and extract)

Jolie Madame

Magie Noire
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:28pm
I don't fit your profile at all, but here's mine:

Mitsouko
Ambre Gris by Balmain

and I don't care what anyone thinks!
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:36pm
I don't fit the criteria either but I did enjoy wearing Light Blue for women while I had a few samples of it (kudos to acceptfacts for the suggestion). It's one of those frags that actually becomes less feminine when on male skin.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:46pm
I wear number of marketed to women's scents;

Cabochard de Gres
Bal a Versailles
Infusion D'Iris
Bandit
Baghari
The Guerlain group of:
Mitsouko
Jicky
L'Heure Bleue
Goutal Songes
Hermes Elixir des Mervailles
Tom Ford Black Orchid
More that I can't think of off the top of my head.
I live in Boston
Have my own man room to watch sports in.
Played football in HS, center
Play volleyball now.
Have run triathlons up to tinmans.
Savvy and spophiticated, I think so.
Educated, yes.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:53pm
one time i wore paris..
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 61
5/4/09 at 2:59pm
I partially fit your profile...

Plenty of testosterone (and the body hair to prove it)
Definitely from Mars
Ex athlete
savvy and sophisticated, educated

I own and wear often:

Black Orchid (Tom Ford)
Bronze Goddess (Estée Lauder)
Citizen Queen (Juliette Has a Gun)
LP No9 for Her (Penhaligon's)
Le Feu d'Issey (Issey Miyake)
Infusion d'Iris (Prada)
Ambre Gris (Balmain)
Jungle L'Éléphant (Kenzo)
Loukhoum (Keiko Mercheri)
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 61
5/4/09 at 3:43pm
Acqua di Parma ~ Iris Nobile
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 61
5/4/09 at 3:56pm
Shalimar http://www.basenotes.net/ID10211632.html

YSL Elle http://www.basenotes.net/ID26128550.html

Shiseido Zen (the new one) http://www.basenotes.net/ID26128968.html

Aromatics Elixir http://www.basenotes.net/ID26128968.html
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 61
5/4/09 at 4:01pm
Masc guy with ample testosterone and in touch with my feminine side.
Bandit
Baghari
Visa
Mahora/Mayotte
Voile d'Ete
Poison
Eau De Star
Ormolu
Victorian Posy ( boy, I wish that had a different name.)
Malabah
Fracas (mixed with Rive Gauche PH)
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 61
5/4/09 at 5:15pm
Black Orchid
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 61
5/4/09 at 5:43pm
  • RHM
  • offline
  • Gender:
D*mn, I'd love to smell you guys!

I really dislike the genderization of fragrances.

Good luck with your article.
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 61
5/4/09 at 6:01pm
Penhaligon's Malabah alone or layered with Hammam Bouquet
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 61
5/4/09 at 6:05pm
Im considered hetero by most of my friends and family, I can be effeminate at times, even dainty. I think I got that from doing full contact karate

I wear the following scents proudly and without embarrassment:

Prada Infusion d'Iris
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Guerlain Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue , Jicky, & Mitsouko
Robert Piguet's Bandit
Bronze Goddess (Estée Lauder)
Citizen Queen (Juliette Has a Gun)

Is it a wonderful thing that we can wear what we want no matter what!!!
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 61
5/4/09 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
You guys are great Bronze goddess, that will make some mouths drop as well as chanel #5,Love acjigga's ulta story...and hermes elixir and visa.... whoa. Love it
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 61
5/4/09 at 6:42pm
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Dolce and Gabanna Light Blue
Donna Karan Chaos
Donna Karan Black Cashmere
Estee Lauder Azurée Soleil Eau Fraiche Skinscent
Estee Lauder Youth Dew Amber Nude
Kenzo Jungle L'Éléphant
Alexander McQueen Kingdom
Marc Jacobs Autumn Splash Ivy
Yves Saint-Laurent Opium
Guerlain Shalimar
Guerlain Jicky
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 61
5/4/09 at 6:43pm
Thread Starter 
oh my bal a versailles and a triathlete , that is the greatest
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 61
5/4/09 at 8:23pm
After having tried MKK, I think Bal a Versailles actually has more...oooph
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 61
5/4/09 at 8:31pm
I wear my wife's D & G Light Blue - It's hands down a gazillion times better than the men's version.
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 61
5/4/09 at 8:35pm
I wear Tom Ford, Black Orchid. I would never wear this to work or to watch a ball game with my buddies but it is, nonetheless, a seriously sensual fragrance that really works on a date night. The dark chocolate tinge mixed with truffles is very deep and almost intoxicating. And, surprisingly, it does not smell feminine at all if you are all dressed up, looking nice, and confident.

In addition, I will wear Shalimar EDT with no problems at all. It is such a dated fragrance - not in a bad way - just from long ago before they had unisex so it works on a man. I feel like it is a slightly dirtier and grittier version of Guerlain's, Habit Rouge. Maybe a little bit more passionate instead of conservative - seems to cross that line, but in a great way.
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 61
5/4/09 at 8:54pm
Chanel Sycomore
Reply
Reply
post #31 of 61
5/4/09 at 9:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by memechose View Post

I am writing an article for a magazine about 'feminine' scents worn by men. Not unisex~ fragrance specifically has to be targeting WOMEN. Maybe even with a woman on the ad
ok not Paris Hilton but possibly something like Rive Gauche, Cristalle Vert or any luxury or niche fragrance. (No Malle, no Serge, Les exclusifs , Hermessences please)

Here's the profile of the guy I am looking to answer this thread, but all comments are welcome

Lives in USA, Urban Area NYC, Atlanta, Chicago or DC

lots of testosterone
CONTROLS the remote
Definitely from Mars
Athletic or ex athlete
savvy and sophisticated, educated

Brief comments are welcome....
TIA

Dear Memechose, this sounds like wanting to use a rather specific subgroup of Basenoters for a very specific purpose of your own business. I wonder if the Male Fragrance Discussion board is the right place for this kind of poll. BN is a global forum and people normally don't specify in advance whose reply, or what kind of reply would be particularly welcome in their thread, or even less welcome !

ps:I do wear Paris Hilton's perfumes for men and women, it really doesn't matter which. I am really sorry that you don't seem to like them! Also the products of Jessica Parker I cannot resist - just too lovely! I get a lot of compliments from the girls and my Boss, whenever I wear them. So glad you asked for Rive Gauche: I wear that too, but the men's edition I have to admit. I just don't dare wearing that one in the office! It is so...I don't know... if hope you can guess what I mean!
Reply
Reply
post #32 of 61
5/4/09 at 10:10pm
Straight, married, middle aged, with kids, and living in a major west coast city. I regularly wear Habanita, Carnal Flower, Bandit, Chanel Cuir de Russie, Givenchy III, Mitsouko, and Shalimar.
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 61
5/4/09 at 10:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by memechose View Post

ok not Paris Hilton but possibly something like Rive Gauche, Cristalle

Do I detect fragrance snobbery here?

It's bad enough that guys here are subject to ridicule for wearing the very good Paris Hilton men's scents, but now you effectively snob all the macho guys who wear the very good Paris Hilton women's scents.

This may well bias your article, such that people will reply to you with scents that either have a certain snob value, or scents that the gurus (LT and Burr) have deemed safe for males to wear.
Cheers,
Renato
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 61
5/4/09 at 10:39pm
I agree with the mentioned frags, and would add Carven Ma Griffe.

(Is she really a Mom, or is this French)?
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 61
5/4/09 at 10:43pm
Guerlain Insolence actually works pretty well on my skin. Same goes for Opium by YSL. I don't own any bottles, but I love stealing my girlfriend's samples.
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 61
5/4/09 at 11:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Butthead53 View Post

Carven Ma Griffe. (Is she really a Mom, or is this French)?

This is French, and means : my claw (verbal translation), but I understand that metaphorically. Other than a bird's (or cat's) claw, griffe could also mean a particular knife. Quite often French perfume names are a play with double meanings.
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 61
5/5/09 at 1:25am
I wear regularly:

Bandit EdT and EdP
Tabac Blond EdT and Parfum
Coup de Fouet
Mitsouko EdT
Sous le vent
Après l´ondée
Jicky EdT, EdP and Parfum
Cuir de Russie, Chanel
Sycomore
Profumo AdP (vintage)
Cuir de Lancôme
Dioressence
Azurée
Givenchy III

I have and admire..... but don´t wear that much:

Shalimar
Vol de Nuit
Habanita
Bois des Iles
Alliage
Diorella
Femme
Arpège
Ivoire
Calèche
Cabochard
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 61
5/5/09 at 4:05am
My fav: Youth dew amber nude
All YSL and TM
Oxygene/ lanvin
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 61
5/5/09 at 8:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Renato View Post

Do I detect fragrance snobbery here?

It's bad enough that guys here are subject to ridicule for wearing the very good Paris Hilton men's scents, but now you effectively snob all the macho guys who wear the very good Paris Hilton women's scents.

This may well bias your article, such that people will reply to you with scents that either have a certain snob value, or scents that the gurus (LT and Burr) have deemed safe for males to wear.
Cheers,
Renato

.......mmmm agreement from a Paris Hilton For Men wearer
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 61
5/5/09 at 8:19am
Some day, I plan on buying all the Paris Hilton frags.

I can put them right next to J.Lo's Deseo for Men.
Reply
Reply
post #41 of 61
5/5/09 at 8:23am
See my Wardrobe
Reply
Reply
post #42 of 61
5/5/09 at 8:27am
Around the winter holidays, I really enjoy wearing Winter Delice by Guerlain.
Reply
Reply
post #43 of 61
5/5/09 at 11:42am
I am madly in love with Insolence and Midnight Poison. I also wear the wonderful CdG2.
Reply
Reply
post #44 of 61
5/5/09 at 11:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vibert View Post

Straight, married, middle aged, with kids, and living in a major west coast city. I regularly wear Habanita, Carnal Flower, Bandit, Chanel Cuir de Russie, Givenchy III, Mitsouko, and Shalimar.

Straight, married, middle aged, with kids and living in a minor town in Ireland. I regularly wear Jicky, Helmut Lang Eau de Parfum (Yeah, the woman's one!), Pamplelune, Le Feu d'Issey, Bandit and also pure rose oil. I'm 6' 4" built used to wrestle and I get a real kick when people cannot match the smell to the appearance! I have only ever been challenged once, by one of my wifes girlfriends!
Reply
Reply
post #45 of 61
5/5/09 at 11:47am
From my wardrobe:

Shalimar
L'Heure Bleue
Mitsouko
No. 19

I've tested others but these are the ones I regularly wear.

EDIT: replied before reading your profile. I don't live in The USA obviously and don't think I really correspond to your stated requirements. But hey, these are the ones I wear, anyway.
Reply
Reply
post #46 of 61
5/5/09 at 12:31pm
Trussardi - Trussardi
Mitsouko - Guerlain
Kingdom - Alexander McQueen
premier Figuier Extreme - L'Artisan Parfumeur
Reply
Reply
post #47 of 61
5/5/09 at 1:33pm
Annick Goutal Heure Exquise EDP
Annick Goutal Rose Absolue EDP
Cacharel Anaïs Anaïs EDT
Cartier Must de Cartier EDT (vintage 1981 formulation)
Chanel Bois des Iles EDT
Chanel Bois des Iles Parfum
Chanel No. 5
Chanel No. 19 EDP
Chanel No. 19 EDT
Chanel No. 19 Parfum
Keiko Mecheri Jasmine EDP
Keiko Mecheri Peau de Pêche EDP
Paco Rabanne Calandre
Prada EDP
YSL Opium EDP
YSL Opium EDT
YSL Opium Secret de Parfum EDP
YSL Rive Gauche EDT (vintage 1971 formulation)
YSL Rive Gauche EDT (2003 reformulation)
YSL Rive Gauche Eau de Toilette Intense
YSL Rive Gauche EDP
Yves Rocher Ispahan
Yves Rocher Voile dAmbre EDP



Lives in USA, Urban Area CHECK
lots of testosterone CHECK
CONTROLS the remote I DON'T WATCH TV
Definitely from Mars DEFINITELY NOT
Athletic CHECK
savvy, sophisticated, educated CHECK, CHECK, CHECK


scentemental






Reply
Reply
post #48 of 61
5/5/09 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by isaacrn View Post

Penhaligon's Malabah alone or layered with Hammam Bouquet

Ooh. Yumm. I'll have to try that. What ratio do you use?
Reply
Reply
post #49 of 61
5/5/09 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scentemental View Post

Lives in USA, Urban Area CHECK
lots of testosterone CHECK
CONTROLS the remote I DON'T WATCH TV
Definitely from Mars DEFINITELY NOT
Athletic CHECK
savvy, sophisticated, educated CHECK, CHECK, CHECK


scentemental

Reply
Reply
post #50 of 61
5/5/09 at 7:00pm
Thread Starter 
Hey Renato : re paris hilton no snobbery.LOL, .She just won a FIFI award I SPECIFIIED high end luxury fragrances. so chill
Reply
Reply
post #51 of 61
5/5/09 at 8:04pm
I like wearing Mitsouko (the greatest fragrance ever), Eau de Courreges and Diorella.

I don't give a crap if a fragrance is meant for women or men. If it smells good, I'll wear it!
Reply
Reply
post #52 of 61
5/5/09 at 9:37pm
Without the sirens of Azuree guiding me on, I'd be but a wreck on the rocks of Aramis.
Reply
Reply
post #53 of 61
5/5/09 at 9:52pm
I fit the bill. I'm an athletic guy, love boxing and football, have two post-grad degrees, and live in Chicago.

I find that most people tell me my frag is feminine when i'm wearing a men's frag, but when i wear a women's frag they tend to love it. I coudl care less who a frag is marketed towards, but am more concerned that something not be OVERTLY and totally feminine.

Right now there are several amazing womens' frags that have not only got me excited, but which women compliment all the time:

- CK Obsession Night for Women
- Kenzo Jungle l'Elephant
- Dior Escale a Portofino - left me speechless
- Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur
- Guerlain's Shalimar and Mitsuoko (though not as fond of these as others on this site)
Reply
Reply
post #54 of 61
5/6/09 at 12:46am
Presently none, nut it would be great if a male/unisex version of Bvlgari's Jasmin Noir would be invented, as already the female version is almost suitable for male wear.
Reply
Reply
post #55 of 61
5/6/09 at 1:09am
Just thought I should add Estee Lauder's Knowing, as it arrived today and I plan on wearing it regularly. I also know some other men on the forum wear this one, too.
Reply
Reply
post #56 of 61
5/7/09 at 10:29am
Shalimar
Bellodgia
Obsession Night for Women
Black Orchid Voile de Fleur
Set Sail St. Barts for Women
Reply
Reply
post #57 of 61
5/7/09 at 12:46pm
I agree with D&G Light Blue for women. The men's version is crap.
Reply
Reply
post #58 of 61
5/7/09 at 2:30pm
I most defintely control the remote. And I've booby trapped it just in case some female-gendered individual gets the crazy idea to attempt to wrest it from my hairy monkey fingers.

However, as I compiled this list, I was overcome by a girly frisson that made my Y chromosome wince.

My list:
Sous le Vent
Mitsouko
Cuir de Russe
Black Orchid
Infusion d'Iris
Coromandel
The Pour Un Ete
Reply
Reply
post #59 of 61
5/7/09 at 3:52pm
Jicky
Mitsouko
PdN Odalisque
Calypso Christian Celle Calypso Marine
A La Nuit
Reply
Reply
post #60 of 61
5/7/09 at 7:40pm
I'm 6'4 and muscular . Um I hate sports but I do work out often and I like to wear the folowing womens fragrances
-Escape Calvin Klein
-Blue Ralph Lauren
-Emporio Armani She
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: MFD Archive

Features on Basenotes

Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › MFD Archive › Men, which fragrances marketed to women do you wear