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Is Tom Ford's Black Orchid a good scent for men?

post #1 of 71
Thread Starter 
Do any other men wear this? If so, how do people react?

Thanks
post #2 of 71
I have sampled it and a man can get away wearing it if lightly applied. I think it would be better suited for going out in the evening than a casual scent.
post #3 of 71
I introduced this to my dad a few wears back and he has worn nothing else since.

It's great - and surprisingly quiet on the skin after an hour or so.
I find it goes bizarrely aquatic - like a sweet water after the initial opening - easily wearible by a man.
post #4 of 71
The fact that Black Orchid is marketed as a female scent is astounding. It is perhaps the most unisex fragrance specified for one gender that I've ever encountered. I own it and love it, just be careful not to apply too much. One spray is ample in almost all circumstances, at least in my experience.
post #5 of 71
Actually fantastic. Every man that i showed the fragrance loved the smell. (I didnt told that its marketed for women)
post #6 of 71
I am afraid it was definitely not to my taste. I personally felt uncomfortable wearing it, but I would not want to smell it on a woman either... Just an all-around miss for me. If you like the scent, however, then whatever gender it is marketed to should not deter you from wearing and enjoying it.
post #7 of 71
IMHO this is the best that Tom Ford has done! Marketed to women but sold in many mens fragrance counters. This is certainly suitable for men or women but regardless of gender it takes confidence to wear. Not for the timid but a fantastic scent. I personally think it is much better on a confident man or a powerful woman. Certainly unisex for anyone that has balls...
post #8 of 71
IMO, No.
post #9 of 71
Absolutely. Made for a woman, perfected on a man. In fact, I am seeing this being lumped in with the masculine Tom Ford fragrances in places like John Lewis. I think it's finally being accepted as a unisex fragrance. Also interesting that it doesn't have "for women" on the box anywhere (think Tom Ford: For Men etc) which makes me think that Ford may have always intended this as a unisex fragrance before the marketing machine took over; he certainly left the door open for it to be considered so.
post #10 of 71
I own and enjoy it.
post #11 of 71
Add me to the no list. My girlfriend almost wrote me off when I wore it. The rest of her friends hated it too. They said it was not the way a man should smell haha
post #12 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by eggy View Post

Add me to the no list. My girlfriend almost wrote me off when I wore it. The rest of her friends hated it too. They said it was not the way a man should smell haha

I wonder how common it is for women to not like Black Orchid on a man.
post #13 of 71
I have often wondered myself what women think of a man who is wears Black Orchid. I find it to be excessively feminine and I am a man who loves Dior Homme and Dior Homme Intense. However, women tend to like DH and DHI one me, very much and I am often complimented by them. Black Orchid on the other hand is way beyond me. It does not provide me with a feeling of confidence. But then again, the whole fragrance thing is so incredibly subjective. I am certain that many men can pull off BO and that certain women will enjoy that type of fragrance on their fellow. Well more power to them.
post #14 of 71
It's very bold but it's very good, I think it works well on a man. One of the few Tom Ford's I actually enjoy. My girlfriend loves it on me too.
post #15 of 71
This seems to be marketed more as a men's fragrance now than a woman's fragrance. I see it in the men's fragrance counter at Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, and pretty much everywhere that carries a wide Tom Ford line. I own it and wear it with no problems. It is one of two fragrances I have had complements on.
post #16 of 71
Yes, both men and women can wear it IMO. I have a bottle but currently don't enjoy it...however, I will give it another try in the future.
post #17 of 71
it is a heavy scent, very dark tough and masculine. not my type though, i like sweeter more floral colognes.
post #18 of 71
Worn it, no problem at all.

Eagerly awaiting this question coming up again and again...:-p
post #19 of 71
I'm in the 'yes you can' camp, but I'll add that you need to have the right attitude. It doesn't scream feminine and is very unisex, but by no means is it a safe buy. I have a female friend that rocks this as her signature scent usually layered with something else. I love the smell but I can't bring myself to wear it because it reminds me of her and we can't be wearing the same stuff, not with the thousands of other options available
post #20 of 71
I got around to sampling this one today - in the men's section at Nordstrom. I enjoyed it and may have to revisit it in the fall rather than mid-summer. A man can definitely wear this, but again, I wonder...

...is this something women would enjoy on a man? ...a date scent, perhaps? Black Orchid indeed. This stuff is so dark that I find myself perplexed by it.
post #21 of 71
Absolutely, yes.

Regards,
Steve
post #22 of 71
As it got deeper into the drydown, it lost me. Initially, Black Orchid smelled dark, mysterious and unisex. Hours later, it smelled like a woman I'd want to be with rather than the man I'd want to be.
post #23 of 71
agreed on all counts my friend.

Consider yourself lucky. You just saved a lot of money
post #24 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by eggy View Post

agreed on all counts my friend.

Consider yourself lucky. You just saved a lot of money

...only to be spent somewhere else. Quite possibly foolishly. Ah, whatareyagonnado...
post #25 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by noirdrakkar View Post

it is a heavy scent, very dark tough and masculine.

Good description. Perfectly wearable by men.
post #26 of 71
I really enjoy this fragrance, but I'm not quite sure I could pull it off. Maybe I don't have enough confidence. Nonetheless, I think a guy could definitely wear this.

One spray was actually too much for me the last time I tried this. Those who suggest spraying lightly are wise indeed!
post #27 of 71
Wearing it today after 4 years of storage. Bought a 100ml bottle blind in 2006 and wore in a few times in 07. Since then its been in cupboard.

Not my favorite smell. Can't really throw away it's a £100 bottle.
post #28 of 71
I wore my sample out pretty quick. I quite enjoy it.
I imagine if it isn't getting much use you could sell it to get some of your money back. I imagine you would not have that hard a time of it.
post #29 of 71
I know Michael Jackson wore it and it drove the ladies crazy lol. It's true...all his dancers, fans and other women commented on it lots.
post #30 of 71
I've worn it a couple times. I like it and others seem to like it as well. It's the most unique scent I've ever smelled. Maybe Truffles ? I consider this very unisex.
post #31 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by L'Homme Blanc Individuel View Post

As it got deeper into the drydown, it lost me. Initially, Black Orchid smelled dark, mysterious and unisex. Hours later, it smelled like a woman I'd want to be with rather than the man I'd want to be.

Good description. Absolutely NOT wearable by men. The sales ladies at Nordstrom laughed when I told them some men consider this a "unisex" scent.
post #32 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by DubraUva View Post

I know Michael Jackson wore it and it drove the ladies crazy lol. It's true...all his dancers, fans and other women commented on it lots.

Yeah, and so did the little boys, apparently

*dark humor*


Back to topic, I actually got a sample of this yesterday at the mall, and I must say..it's definitely THE description of a unisex fragrance. I could see myself or any of the girls in my life wearing this.
Saying that, there are far more feminine colognes out there. Spicebomb would be one of them. For me, the pink pepper completely disappears on my skin, so it just leaves all that sweetness that you'd smell in a female fragrance. Disappointing cause on paper it smells pretty damn good.
post #33 of 71
Glad this thread has been brought back to the top. It has been on my list for a while, seems to be a love it or hate it scent. I wear frags for my own enjoyment, not too concerned with what strangers think, maybe a little more cautious about what I wear around friends and family. I've been wearing Hypnotic Poison around the house a lot and liking it quite a bit. Would Black Orchid be considered more or less unisex than HP?
post #34 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by Akahina View Post

Certainly unisex for anyone that has balls...


So if you didn't have balls it wouldn't be unisex?

post #35 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crow View Post

I've been wearing Hypnotic Poison around the house a lot and liking it quite a bit. Would Black Orchid be considered more or less unisex than HP?

I would say that Black Orchid is a bit more unisex than Hypnotic Poison. They're close, though. I don't exactly consider BO (larf!) to be unisex, but I like it and I get compliments from everyone when I wear it.
post #36 of 71
My husband and I both smell fabulous wearing it.
post #37 of 71
Black Orchid is a unisex frag, but men should be aware of going light on the sprayer or it will be cloying and overpowering and become too feminine. I learned this from personal experience.
post #38 of 71
Since I posted in this thread Dec. 11 I have purchased a bottle of Black Orchid. I found it to be more intense and incense-y than what I anticipated. I like it and have been wearing it at home and out in public. I would say it's similar to Dior's Midnight Poison, another female targeted fragrance considered by many to be unisex. Of the two I prefer Midnight Poison by a slim margin.
I'm pretty comfortable wearing either around the house or in public to places where I'm unlikely to encounter people I know. Around friends, family or at work, I would feel OK with lingering traces but not a fresh application.
I agree with those advising to have a light trigger finger when applying, it's powerful and long lasting.
post #39 of 71
Black Orchid is a complete mess(IMO) and totally unwearable. Comparisons to Poison are interesting. Of course my opinion is the same as for Black Orchid.
post #40 of 71
I love this on men.
post #41 of 71
I love it. Great for men.
post #42 of 71
I feel as though this a slightly feminine Tom Ford Extreme. Have you given that a sniff yet?
post #43 of 71
I tried it after reviews on here and loved the dark, blackcurranty goodness. I though that it would be too feminine but my body chemistry mutes that somewhat. My girlfriend liked it on me and also on herself, where it tends to smell more floral.

I bought a bottle and split it for us. Good longevity and sillage. I probably won't go back to it once my split is finished, but my girlfriend might.
post #44 of 71
Honestly, I've tried it and I really didn't think it was anything special.

Like the other Tom Ford designer scents it likes to be dark, macho and dirty, without any character or flavor.
post #45 of 71
Honestly, I've tried it and I really didn't think it was anything special.

Like the other Tom Ford designer scents it likes to be dark, macho and dirty, without any character or flavor.
post #46 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by senore01 View Post

I have often wondered myself what women think of a man who is wears Black Orchid. I find it to be excessively feminine and I am a man who loves Dior Homme and Dior Homme Intense. However, women tend to like DH and DHI one me, very much and I am often complimented by them. Black Orchid on the other hand is way beyond me. It does not provide me with a feeling of confidence. But then again, the whole fragrance thing is so incredibly subjective. I am certain that many men can pull off BO and that certain women will enjoy that type of fragrance on their fellow. Well more power to them.

My man wears this with ease. I may own the bottle, but he smells about 10 times better in it. It's incredible on him.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgoc View Post

Wearing it today after 4 years of storage. Bought a 100ml bottle blind in 2006 and wore in a few times in 07. Since then its been in cupboard.

Not my favorite smell. Can't really throw away it's a £100 bottle.

Why not sell it on?

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgoc View Post

Wearing it today after 4 years of storage. Bought a 100ml bottle blind in 2006 and wore in a few times in 07. Since then its been in cupboard.

Not my favorite smell. Can't really throw away it's a £100 bottle.

Why not sell it on?
post #47 of 71
Strange how some would consider it Not something a man would smell like, but what should a Man smell like? Perhaps an adequate answer would do.

I tried this on 3 occasions, twice on blottters/cards and the final on skin. A mistake for the final, as I couldn't wait to wash it off.
post #48 of 71
I wear this quite a bit, I think it's easier for men to get away with in my experience. For example, I wear this to work (although not an office environment) and I get a long stream of compliments, whereas most women that I know aren't comfortable wearing this during the day for business or casual settings. It seems more at home as a men's fragrance and more daring when you think of it as strictly a women's.
post #49 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuaismajor View Post

I wear this quite a bit, I think it's easier for men to get away with in my experience. For example, I wear this to work (although not an office environment) and I get a long stream of compliments, whereas most women that I know aren't comfortable wearing this during the day for business or casual settings. It seems more at home as a men's fragrance and more daring when you think of it as strictly a women's.

I agree with this. My wife thinks its too masculine. I think it's just right!
post #50 of 71
I didn't find this fragrance masculine at all, not for me. I ended up giving the bottle to my mother. My girlfriend hated it, but she likes they typical aquatics...
post #51 of 71
I'm a guy. The salesgirl @ Sephora said it was unisex--and I really liked it--so I bought it. Then I found out it was marketed only to women. But I don't care. I really like it, actually better than all the other Tom Ford men's fragrances. It's weird it's marketed to women, but they used the same tall & narrow bottle design as his men's fragrances. His women's fragrances come in a shorter, wider bottle design, so you'd think they would have used that bottle. But a great scent and I'm happy with it.
post #52 of 71
According to the opinions both on Basenotes and amongst fragrance enthusiasts amongst my circle of friends and acquaintances, there is almost a general consensus that a man can wear this and that, furthermore, it garners quite a positive feedback.
post #53 of 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by drseid View Post

I am afraid it was definitely not to my taste. I personally felt uncomfortable wearing it, but I would not want to smell it on a woman either... Just an all-around miss for me. If you like the scent, however, then whatever gender it is marketed to should not deter you from wearing and enjoying it.

I agree. I think man, woman, or beast could wear it. I just don't like the way it smells.
post #54 of 71
I like it, I wear it, and people have had nothing but positive things to say about it.
post #55 of 71
I tried this on at the fragrance counter, and my friend told me I smelled like a granny.

The fragrance made my blood warm when I sniffed it on my wrists.

Later on that same evening, I went to the grocery store, and an older woman working the register exclaimed, "You smell so good! What is that?!"

I giggled and said it was a woman's frag by the name of Black Orchid. She immediately replied, "Well, it doesn't smell girly. It smells manly! It smells good!"

Haha!
post #56 of 71
I'm wearing Black Orchid at the office today. Always garners compliments.
post #57 of 71
it smells amazing on me and more unisex then feminine.

such a terrific frag
post #58 of 71
I tried it yesterday - SWMBO wasn't impressed, said it smelled "too old" but I enjoyed it.
post #59 of 71
It does get complements. Highly recommended. I picked mine online and got it for steal.
post #60 of 71
never tested this to my skin but it's so funny i met a couple today that wore this! I didnt know about the product before; It was a smell i was pretty sure it was a woman one and i asked her, she told me that is her boyfriend's fragrance (!!) and just gave a spray to herself too i was so sure it felt like a feminin one but it sounded a lot unisex too! was a nice surprise that when returned home i search for it in bn and figuered out it is indeed feminin
not sure of id wear that but it's an interesting smell i guess with enough presence.
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