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Best Formal Yet Modern Fragrances!

post #1 of 41
5/21/10 at 11:02am
Thread Starter 
After looking at my wardrobe I don't own many formal fragrances at all. Formal meaning fragrances to wear to a business meeting, suit and tie event, wedding and etc. Without suggesting outdated and "old" smelling (I'm looking at you Antaeus) fragrances, what fragrances would work exceptionally well for a formal setting that can be worn by a man in his twenty-somethings.
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post #2 of 41
5/21/10 at 11:19am
Richard James
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post #3 of 41
5/21/10 at 11:30am
Here are my suggestions:

1. Chanel No. 19
Fresh, green and yet smooth, making it a young but sophisticated fragrance.

2. Bvlgari pour Homme Soir
Sophisticated black tea scent with a citrus note to help brighten it up. Best thing, cheapest of the lot

3. Sel de Vetiver
My new found love. Has the earthy and mature vetiver base but is made younger and fresher by the slightly salty and spicy notes. It has the vibe of Guerlain's Vetiver, but feels better blended, and does not resort to the overused citrus top notes.

4. New York by Parfums de Nicolai
Blend of citrus and powder. It's like an updated Parfum D'Habit with stronger and sharper citrus to make it feel younger, but kept formal and sophisticated with the powdery and slightly smoky note.
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post #4 of 41
5/21/10 at 12:20pm
I would suggest Paul Smith Extreme or maybe Tom Ford Grey Vetiver.
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post #5 of 41
5/21/10 at 12:41pm
I was gonna suggest Burberry London, but I see you own it. Perhaps Tom Ford's Noir de Noir, very very classy and modern, but if you don't like rose, this isn't for you.
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post #6 of 41
5/21/10 at 1:29pm
For business purposes I usually go with clean and inoffensive - Gendarme. Not sure if that's what you are looking for as far as "formal", but that's about the only suggestion I have.
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post #7 of 41
5/21/10 at 1:31pm
Hmmm... I would suggest:

Acqua di Parma Colonia, although it is made by 1916!
Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa (2007) might fit well on formal situations too, because it smells very sophisticated
Floris Santal is very smooth and refined
Guerlain L'instant pour homme and
Chanel Egoiste
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post #8 of 41
5/21/10 at 1:35pm
Penhaligons Endymion, a yummy gourmand fragrance, a less strong and more elusive version of Burberry London, formal enough to stay loyal to the reputation of this venerable British niche house, yet modern enough, almost experimental, mixing slightly (but not overly) sweet notes with spicy ones, as not to be perceived as too elitist, too outdated or too stiff. It may not be ideal for business meetings, but it will most likely be very suitable for formal and semi-formal social calls/romantic occasions/artistic and intellectual gatherings-/ parties, but almost exclusively during the evening, this frag truly needs the evening and/or the (slightly more upscale) nightlife to bring out its true potential
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post #9 of 41
5/21/10 at 1:39pm
Dior Homme & L'Instant Guerlain PH. Probably EDP versions of both.
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post #10 of 41
5/21/10 at 1:48pm
Parfumes du Nicolai New York
Creed Tabarome Millesime
Creed Acier Aluminium
Ysl M7
Amouage Dia man.
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post #11 of 41
5/21/10 at 2:47pm
I'm surprised no one's said it, I think GIT is a great office scent. While PDN New York is also good, I don't see it as "young", especially the opening. A favorite formal, special occasion scent of mine is APOM Pour Homme.
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post #12 of 41
5/21/10 at 2:53pm
+1 for Richard James Eau de Toilette.

Habit Rouge Eau de Parfum. Different from the EDT, which is lighter and more citrusy. The EDP has a warmth of agarwood.
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post #13 of 41
5/21/10 at 9:49pm
1. L'instant de Guerlain
2. Bond No. 9 Chez Bond
3. Dior Homme
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post #14 of 41
5/21/10 at 10:06pm
Nicolai's discontinued Pour Homme is a great one. Still available and very novel-yet-proper to my nose

If you want really elegant and modern scents, you might also like from Amouage:
Silver Cologne, Jubilation Men, and Epic Man

From PG, Querelle is great for all occasions.

And Acqui di Biella's Cashmere Twill and Ca' Luna are both modern and formal.
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post #15 of 41
5/22/10 at 7:25pm
Many great suggestions. I think Tom Ford Grey Vetiver is a very nice, modern scent that really works with a gray suit, unbelievably enough. The Amouage for men are quite good - great, rich, formal scents that feel modern. Epic Man is awesome stuff and feels just a bit swashbuckler underneath the rich, formal thing. My favorite formal scents are Vintage Tabarôme, Tiffany for Men, and now Guerlain Derby, but these are NOT modern in feel. Tiffany for Men Sport is a bit more modern, but a bit more casual, like golf-wear. Tom Ford Extreme is also nice, but is like dark beer - not for everybody.

And don't forget the By Kilian scents. Back to Black is nice in formal settings.
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post #16 of 41
5/22/10 at 7:26pm
millesime imperial by Creed
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post #17 of 41
5/22/10 at 7:29pm
There is nothing like Mauboussin Homme EDP by Mauboussin! Modern, elegant, superb!
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post #18 of 41
5/22/10 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by supperman View Post

Here are my suggestions:

1. Chanel No. 19

After a thought, I also agree with Chanel No. 19. This is very green and fresh, very unisex even though the leather notes are toned down in modern versions. You can buy it in EDP and EDT.
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post #19 of 41
5/22/10 at 7:53pm
Thread Starter 
I'm really interested in trying Endymion, Richard James and Noir de Noir.
I've tried L'instant and I have to have a full wearing to get an overall feel for it but,so far I really like Grey Vetiver. As far as GIT and MI they both are nice but, just don't last.
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post #20 of 41
5/22/10 at 8:53pm
Tom Ford Extreme by Tom Ford
2 Man by Comme des Garcons
Costume National Homme by Costume National
Black Orchid by Tom Ford
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post #21 of 41
5/22/10 at 9:02pm
IMHO Habit Rouge Beau Cavalier is one of the finest, if not the finest men's fragrance in modern times.
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post #22 of 41
5/22/10 at 9:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by N_Tesla View Post

IMHO Habit Rouge Beau Cavalier is one of the finest, if not the finest men's fragrance in modern times.

Nick, in my post #12, I heartily agree with this! The Habit Rouge EDP is called Beau Cavalier in the U.S. Agarwood adds a special something--deeper and warmer than the EDT, althought the new version EDT is nice for daytime with its citrus/leather vibe.
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post #23 of 41
6/4/10 at 8:12pm
ARMANI PRIVÉ BOIS D'ENCENS

If you're a leader of a world superpower, this is what you wear when you decide if you'll press the nuclear red button.
If you're a neurosurgeon, this is what you wear when you're going over your plan (again) with your team for a life or death 12-hour operating treatment.
If you're an astrophysicist, this is what you wear when you announce to the world a giant asteroid will destroy everything in 72 hours.

Pretty formal, serious, and grave. Just my opinion.
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post #24 of 41
6/4/10 at 8:24pm
I try to avoid "formal" frags. I generally dislike them because they smell like they were designed to smell sophisticated rather than good. But there are several casual frags that can also serve as formal wear. Swiss Army is great formal wear as long as you spray lightly. The dry-down is traditionally masculine yet soft.
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post #25 of 41
6/4/10 at 8:30pm
A solid vetiver like Encre Noire, Givenchy Vetyver, Goutal's Vétiver, or the previously mentioned Sel de Vetiver would do the trick. Other possibilities include a low key chypre like Chanel pour Monsieur, Iskander, or Iris Bleu Gris; a leather that's not too loud (Derby would be ideal if it weren't so hard to come by); or, for something a little bit out of the ordinary, but still appropriate, an austere incense like Dzongkha or Avignon.
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post #26 of 41
6/4/10 at 9:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Off-Scenter View Post

A solid vetiver like Encre Noire, Givenchy Vetyver, Goutal's Vétiver, or the previously mentioned Sel de Vetiver would do the trick. Other possibilities include a low key chypre like Chanel pour Monsieur, Iskander, or Iris Bleu Gris; a leather that's not too loud (Derby would be ideal if it weren't so hard to come by); or, for something a little bit out of the ordinary, but still appropriate, an austere incense like Dzongkha or Avignon.

Fantastic to see you back!!! Hope all is well!!
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post #27 of 41
6/4/10 at 10:01pm
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The first one that came to my mind: Nicolai’s Patchouli Homme. It is nothing like the old-school powerhouse patchouli scent.
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post #28 of 41
11/5/12 at 11:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensual View Post

ARMANI PRIVÉ BOIS D'ENCENS

If you're a leader of a world superpower, this is what you wear when you decide if you'll press the nuclear red button.
If you're a neurosurgeon, this is what you wear when you're going over your plan (again) with your team for a life or death 12-hour operating treatment.
If you're an astrophysicist, this is what you wear when you announce to the world a giant asteroid will destroy everything in 72 hours.

Pretty formal, serious, and grave. Just my opinion.

Wow! Will have to try this fragrance soon...
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post #29 of 41
11/5/12 at 11:57am
Chanel Sycomore

TF Gray Vetiver

Chanel PMC

TF Extreme

CdG Wonderwood
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post #30 of 41
11/5/12 at 12:01pm
Tom Ford Extreme, for sure.
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post #31 of 41
11/5/12 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redneck Perfumisto View Post

Many great suggestions. I think Tom Ford Grey Vetiver is a very nice, modern scent that really works with a gray suit, unbelievably enough.

Tom Ford Extreme is also nice, but is like dark beer - not for everybody.

Love that analogy, Red. I was coming here to recommend both of those. Especially Tom Ford Grey Vetiver. But, as a dark beer fan, I need to give Tom Ford Extreme another sampling.

MMMmmmmmmmm... daaaaark beeeeeeeer...
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post #32 of 41
11/5/12 at 1:31pm
Bois Du Portugal
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post #33 of 41
11/5/12 at 4:11pm
L'Instant de Guerlain Extreme
Dior Homme Intense
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post #34 of 41
11/5/12 at 4:13pm
Creed Original Cologne. Hands down.
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post #35 of 41
11/5/12 at 5:07pm
I think Creed's Royal Oud would work well for formal occasions in cooler weather.
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post #36 of 41
11/5/12 at 8:00pm
Tom Ford Extreme - so nice.
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post #37 of 41
11/5/12 at 8:01pm
I would have to now add Sartorial.
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post #38 of 41
11/5/12 at 8:27pm
YSL L'homme works for me in that category.

- - - Updated - - -

YSL L'homme works for me in that category.
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post #39 of 41
11/5/12 at 8:45pm
I gotta agree with Wonderwood...I'm 35, my dad is 66 and we both own a bottle and it works for both of us...he is a much more formal and serious man than I am, yet it has a formal yet modern feel to it.
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post #40 of 41
11/5/12 at 9:10pm
I agree with both Bulgari pour Homme Soir and Acqua di Parma Colonia. Also, Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme if you can find the vintage juice, the new stuff isn't good at all as far as I'm concerned.
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post #41 of 41
11/5/12 at 9:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Primrose View Post

I would have to now add Sartorial.

+1 on this.
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