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Summer Frag For guy Who Hates Summer Frags?

post #1 of 41
1/23/12 at 12:31pm
Thread Starter 
Basically I don't like fresh/aqua/blue/citrus frags which are usually associated with summer. I'm a gourmand/oriental fan but am willing to compromise a bit in choice of scents for the summer (not that I really believe people on the street will point to me in horror if I wear Rochas Man or Zino in July but you know what I mean)

I find Cool Water tolerable but everyone wears it. I tried a sample of Eternity again today but that sharp/bitter/whatever it is note that I find in summer frags came thru loud and clear and made me gag.

Can anyone suggest something along the lines of what I do like but is versatile enough to wear during the hot months also?
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post #2 of 41
1/23/12 at 12:48pm
I'm trying to find my ideal scent along these lines. I'd check out the vetiver fragrances. This thread has some good info: http://www.basenotes.net/threads/270...ch-is-the-best
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post #3 of 41
1/23/12 at 12:51pm
perhaps Gucci pour homme II - a black tea based fragrance. light enough for the summer & quite refreshing without being too citrusy.
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post #4 of 41
1/23/12 at 12:59pm
From the realm of light gourmands and orientals, you could try L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme EdT, the new Habit Rouge L'Eau, & Dior Dune pour Homme.
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post #5 of 41
1/23/12 at 1:14pm
Thread Starter 
Would Safari be considered a summer scent? I kind of like that one. It's citrus but more mellow than than most
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post #6 of 41
1/23/12 at 1:47pm
Carbone de Balmain
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post #7 of 41
1/23/12 at 1:56pm
You may want to look into Creed Green Irish Tweed if you liked Cool Water. Also I recommend Chanel Allure Homme and maybe Allure Homme Sport, they are unique and very classy.
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post #8 of 41
1/23/12 at 2:08pm
+1 for vetivers, if you need something fresh.

In a different style, I find CDG2 man (incensy) and Tom of Finland (lemony saffrony) very suitable for warm weather too.

cacio
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post #9 of 41
1/23/12 at 2:13pm
Green Irish Tweed
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post #10 of 41
1/23/12 at 3:00pm
super cheap non-sweet:
Lomani pour Homme

lovely niche citrus also not sweet:
Trefle Pur
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post #11 of 41
1/23/12 at 5:50pm
Cologne pour le Soir by Maison Francis Kurkdjian - Upon application, one is treated to a deliciously seductive, red rose with fruity glimmers and a cabernet-like facet. A sweet and warm benzoin dusts the lovely rose with its vanillic highlight, and in so doing, provokes a keen powderiness. Barely transitioning, a delightful honey intermingles with the enchanting blend and imparts its enticing sweetness, while what I assume are aldehydes apparently color the melange with a smoky wax. Amazingly, the finale brings forth a mysterious and spicy incense interplaying with wondrous labdanum, which tempers the creation with a tinge of pine and vague illusions of amber and leather. A decidedly beautiful fragrance that is at once soothing and evocative. This anomalous cologne has stunted projection and average longevity.
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post #12 of 41
1/23/12 at 7:51pm
YSL Kouros
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post #13 of 41
1/23/12 at 8:36pm
I was actually trying to find the same thing. So far I'm really thinking a classic cologne structure and some of the nice light and sharp Vetivers are going to be it.
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post #14 of 41
1/23/12 at 9:30pm
Another +1 for Gucci PH II
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post #15 of 41
1/23/12 at 10:29pm
I think Un Jardin sur le Nil by Hermes is the perfect summer fragrance.
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post #16 of 41
1/23/12 at 10:40pm
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I don't like summer frags too but here are some that I enjoy:
Love & Luck
Kenzo PH
Chanel AHS
Chanel EB

Might also want to try TdH
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post #17 of 41
1/24/12 at 2:07pm
GIT, Virgin Island Water, Mugler Cologne, Edition Blanche
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post #18 of 41
1/24/12 at 2:34pm
Carolina Herrera- 212 Men; 212 On Ice; CH Men;
Kenzo Pour Homme +1;
Cartier: Déclaration and Roadster;
Sur Le Nil +1; UJ En Méditerranée;
Dior: Eau Sauvage, Dune PH (+1), Higher;
Thierry Mugler Ice Men (you really should try this one).
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post #19 of 41
1/24/12 at 4:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by invaderzim View Post

Basically I don't like fresh/aqua/blue/citrus frags which are usually associated with summer. I'm a gourmand/oriental fan but am willing to compromise a bit in choice of scents for the summer (not that I really believe people on the street will point to me in horror if I wear Rochas Man or Zino in July but you know what I mean)

I find Cool Water tolerable but everyone wears it. I tried a sample of Eternity again today but that sharp/bitter/whatever it is note that I find in summer frags came thru loud and clear and made me gag.

Can anyone suggest something along the lines of what I do like but is versatile enough to wear during the hot months also?

My favorite category is Orientals, so I hear you.

Easiest solution: Guerlian Vetiver.--Vetiver tends to be an acquired taste; but it'll grow on you.
Annick Goutal Vetiver contains some marine notes as well.

(Toughest solution; to hell with it, get HAVANA by Aramis--it's not gourmand/oriental really but let's say it comes close compared to the other choices. Unless the temperature is over 100 degrees you might pull it off!)

OK Onwards with summer:

Moving upscale (read expensive)
Creed Himalaya
Creed Aventus
Acqua di Parma Colonia

Moving downscale:

The Already mentioned Caroline Herrera 212 H2O
360 Degrees Red for Men by Perry Ellis
Set Sail South Seas for Men by (don't cringe) Tommy Bahama

Getting creative and skipping citrus and aqua altogether:

1. Bowling Green--discontinued so a bit hard to find. Go online. It's a great " Aromatic " What's "Aromatic?"--Check the reviews
2. Bay Rum!--- St. John's or Royall's has some of the best longevity.
3. Infusion by Bombay Sapphire--Yep. Just hope you don't get pulled over by a cop, it smells like B.S. Gin.
(Quite cooling, though).
4. Green Tea with Mint by L'Occitane.---Perhaps a bit too cheerful? But go to a L'Occitane store if there's one nearby. Try out their testers.
5. Quasar--half insane but unusual, again, check out the reviews.

Cheers,

Mario
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post #20 of 41
1/24/12 at 5:25pm
+1 Guerlain Vetiver

Halston I-12
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post #21 of 41
1/25/12 at 9:02am
+1 for vetiver-themed frags!

I'd also try for example:

Guerlain "Homme L'Eau"
Cartier "Roadster"
H.d.P. - 1828 Jules Verne
Byredo - Oud Immortel
Hermès - Rocabar
Lalique - Pour Homme Lion
Lubin - L'Eau Neuve
etc.
I thinks also Lolita Lempicka's "Au Masculin" can easily be worn in summer!
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post #22 of 41
1/25/12 at 9:02am
double posting
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post #23 of 41
1/25/12 at 9:13am
Tilda Swinton Like This by Etat Libre d'Orange is great for summer. You said you enjoyed gourmands. Nice ginger with a wee bit of immortelle. A steal for $99.00 a bottle.
http://www.luckyscent.com/shop/secti...ike_This_.html

If your wallet is a little fatter, there's one better - Tahitian Honey by Strange Invisible Perfume is awesome. $350.00 OUCH!
http://www.siperfumes.com/products/tahitianhoney
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post #24 of 41
1/25/12 at 10:05am
Terre d'Hermes
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post #25 of 41
1/25/12 at 2:09pm
My favorite summer frag is Geranium pour Monsieur. If you enjoy the strong mint note at the beginning, which some find a bit toothpastey, it might be a winner. The heart is an awesome green, spicy affair which strongly features geranium leaf, and persists into the clean, musky drydown.
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post #26 of 41
1/25/12 at 2:21pm
A lot of great suggestions already so I'll just second a couple of already mentioned options...

+2 for vetivers. I'd suggest Vettiveru if you want a best band for the buck or Sycomore for an high-end. Also +1 on Geranium Pour Monsieur.
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post #27 of 41
1/25/12 at 5:15pm
If you truly don't like traditional type summer fragrances, give Mugler's Ice*Men a try. It's opens with iced coffee & nutmeg & dries down to a watery/icy menthol & patchouli base. Definitely unique & a different take on a summer fragrance.
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post #28 of 41
1/25/12 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianH1016 View Post

If you truly don't like traditional type summer fragrances, give Mugler's Ice*Men a try. It's opens with iced coffee & nutmeg & dries down to a watery/icy menthol & patchouli base. Definitely unique & a different take on a summer fragrance.

+1. As I said before, you should try this one.
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post #29 of 41
1/26/12 at 2:58am
Rochas Eau de Rochas pour homme!
Perfect summer frag that noone disliked so far on BN!

I own it and it's perfect!

http://www.basenotes.net/ID26120516.html

Read the reviews and convince yourself!

@Mind that I am talking about the original "pour" homme version as you also have the eau de Rochas homme version! The pour homme has way less citrus and is not aquatic at all!
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post #30 of 41
1/26/12 at 5:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slayerized View Post

Rochas Eau de Rochas pour homme!
Perfect summer frag that noone disliked so far on BN!

Eau de Rochas is excellent, although I think it's not what he's searching for. But worth at least a try!
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post #31 of 41
1/26/12 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slayerized View Post

Rochas Eau de Rochas pour homme!
Perfect summer frag that noone disliked so far on BN!

Thanks for the heads up. This one sounds up my alley actually.
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post #32 of 41
2/3/12 at 6:41pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks to all for your recommendations

I am assembling a sample list and will hopefully find 2 or 3 to buy.
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post #33 of 41
2/5/12 at 2:39am
Hugh Parsons - Traditional (blue)
Heeley - Menthe fraiche, Oranges & lemons
Frederic Malle - Gerannium pour monsieur
Creed - Silver mountain water, Aventus, Virgin island water
Hermes - Pampelmousse concentree
CB I hate perfums: At the beach 1966
Xerjoff - Regio
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post #34 of 41
2/14/13 at 5:54am
Gucci Pour Homme II.
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post #35 of 41
2/14/13 at 12:30pm
Yet another vote for Gucci pour Homme II. A versatile all-season fragrance.
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post #36 of 41
2/14/13 at 1:55pm
MI.
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post #37 of 41
2/14/13 at 2:06pm
Another vote for Vetiver based fragrances.
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post #38 of 41
2/14/13 at 2:25pm
Vetiver Tonka by Hermes, get your gourmand on in the summer.
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post #39 of 41
2/14/13 at 5:52pm
Creed Original Vetiver
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post #40 of 41
2/15/13 at 10:02am
I usually am averse to aquatic/"fresh"/traditional citrus colognes, but I've had some summer weather success with:

-Bulgari's "Au The Vert" - the green tea is nice, subtle, and dry and doesn't skew "air freshener"
-Lush's "Dirty" - a quirky shiso mint creation, herby/spicy...but I think it may be getting discontinued from Lush stores and will only be available online, though
-Mugler "Cologne" - the playful synthetic "clean" note isn't overly heavy and offset by light orange flower and dry grass
-Comme des Garcons "Stephen Jones" - a clean violet mixed with a mineral note, dries down with clove and light woods - really good-strange, and never heavy in the heat
-L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme EDT - a light spray of this would give a bit of citrus, cocoa, and a nice oriental-style drydown

If you're adventurous to break from the designer and high-end niche, you may want to check out this one from Smell Bent (smellbent.com):
-"Hungry, Hungry Hippies" - Orange, Cocoa, and Patchouli - a little heavier than some of the above, but definitely fun and wearable in the summer for me - it's kind of like a slightly more masculine and rough "Angel"

- - - Updated - - -

I have no idea how I missed "Pear + Olive" by Slumberhouse - http://slumberhou.se/
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post #41 of 41
2/15/13 at 12:17pm
Bond No. 9 Coney island
CKY Summer 2010 2011
Armani code Summer
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Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Just Starting Out › Summer Frag For guy Who Hates Summer Frags?