New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

R-e-s-p-e-c-t

post #1 of 40
2/2/13 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
are there any fragrances out there that you cannot wear/hate but still have a huge appreciation/respect for? at first fahrenheit was like this to me when i first smelled it. it was so different and unique, especially from a designer. i applauded dior for thinking outside the box and creating such a fragrance, but in my head oil and flowers with a leather base was just not something i wanted to smell like. with a little time however, i gave it a few more whiffs and now its on my buy list, but thats not the point

just curious but does anyone else feel this way towards a certain fragrance?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 40
2/2/13 at 5:31pm
No, not really.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 40
2/2/13 at 5:45pm
I know it's not exactly the same as what you're asking, but I have some appreciation for Andy Tauer's creations (LDDM, Orange Star, and even the maligned Pentachord Auburn in all its synthetic grandeur) but view them as something as an exercise in self-indulgent artistry, rather than in creating something both wearable and beautiful.

They're interesting scents, to be sure, and it's clear that Tauer hasn't compromised his visions of what he wanted to create (ah, the freedom of niche) but of the five I've smelled, only Orange Star could come even close to being a scent I'd wear regularly. LDDM is very nice, but a full-bottle would last me decades.

I still really dislike Vetiver Dance and Lonestar Memories....they could have been so much more.

As an aside, Tauer's were the first group of niche fragrance where I could actively smell a 'signature' accord - that 'dusty plastic/rubber' I get from all five of my sample vials really turned me off them.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 40
2/2/13 at 6:33pm
Green Irish Tweed probably. I respect it as a truly great fragrance, and actually like it a lot, but I get negative feedback from those around me when I wear it, they say I smell too old mannish.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 40
2/2/13 at 6:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SirSmells View Post

No, not really.

Same here.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 40
2/2/13 at 6:40pm
I totally didn't get PdN New York at first, but kept it in the rotation only because Luca Turin said he wore it for 10 years.
Much to my surprise, I tried the new reformulated version at a niche shop in Phoenix and ended up liking it enough to buy a small 30 ml bottle.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 40
2/2/13 at 6:43pm
There is not a specific fragrance that i dislike but rather a "genre" if i may, that i dislike. That would be oudh. Oudh is a wood based fragrance which is actually extract of sapp from a tree. It has an extremely strong scent and it is most commonly liked by africans and indo-pakistanis. It is also very expensive and a huge part of the perfume industry in most parts of the world outside of europe and the usa. I have much respect for the fragrance due to the way its made, how much it costs and how popular it is.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 40
2/3/13 at 1:44am
I know most people can't make a distinction between liking a fragrance and thinking that a fragrance is good. Yet I think this distinction is essential if you really want to talk about fragrances. Otherwise it's just about me liking this and you liking that, end of story. I believe some fragrances really are more distinctive and better balanced than others - likes and dislikes has little to do with this.

It's kind of analogic with looking at a picture of your childhood home. You get a lot of good memories; the picture is beautiful to you. Yet you wouldn't say that the picture is beautiful in itself. Another example: some music I like I could recommend to people without hesitation because I have made a judgement that it is good music. Some others I wouldn't: I believe me liking it is more about my own quirks than anything else.

I don't like Kouros, but I think it's an exceptional fragrance. Vintage Derby is one of the most impressive fragrances I have ever smelled, yet there are fragrances I like more. I'm sniffing Vintage Tabarome as we speak, I appreciate it more than I like it.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 40
2/3/13 at 2:14am
Grey Flannel
Paco Rabanne pH
Musc Ravageur
Caron Pour Un Homme -- Really like this one, but the dirty musk note ruins it. Taste of Heaven is so much better, but too pricey.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 40
2/3/13 at 2:16am
I dislike both Poison and Kouros, but admire the perfumer's obvious skill that went into creating them. The strength and diffusion of both are remarkable, and the perfumer's ability to do that is something that I admire. Pity about the results though....
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 40
2/3/13 at 2:21am
Chanel Antaeus
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 40
2/3/13 at 2:35am
I can see that on the right person Paco Rabanne's La Nuit would be mind blowing, but on me it's too much dirty underpants and not enough spice, rose and honey. I respect it for what it could be, and the boldness of the idea.

In the opposte direction I see the potential beauty in Hermes' Hiris, cool whisper quiet iris and wood. But on me dank and pallid, like the wrong shade of mauve. Again I have respect for the idea, but I can't wear it without shaking my head every time I sniff it.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 40
2/3/13 at 3:01am
There are a million reasons why you might not like to wear a great fragrance. The only thing that matters is being confident that you're discerning enough to recognize a great fragrance.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 40
2/3/13 at 3:15am
GIT
LDDM
AVENTEUS
NEW HAARLEM

I respect the following carved out by these, however, none are my "thing".
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 40
2/3/13 at 3:21am
Chanel Egoiste. Love the smell, just not on my skin.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 40
2/3/13 at 4:03am
Fahrenheit (the initial version, oddly, not the 32, Summer, Absolue etc. flankers, I can wear these effortlessly) is a very good scent, yet, for a certain reason, I find myself unable to wear it, even if taken apart, I like certain of its notes.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 40
2/3/13 at 4:35am
Jub XXV- impressed with quality of ingredients, just found I dislike 'heavy' incense
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 40
2/3/13 at 5:02am
The one that immediately comes to mind of CDG's latest perfume. I don't want to smell of sweet packing tape, but I find it fascinating and I'm glad that they made it.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 40
2/3/13 at 5:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diamondflame View Post

Chanel Antaeus

Exactly.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 40
2/3/13 at 5:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by comfortablynumbbg View Post

Green Irish Tweed probably. I respect it as a truly great fragrance, and actually like it a lot, but I get negative feedback from those around me when I wear it, they say I smell too old mannish.

Really?! Interesting!
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 40
2/3/13 at 5:30am
ELdO Secretions Magnifique, Rien and a few others in their line. Really daring and well put together fragrances that demonstrate artistry and mastery in their composition, but there's no way in hell I could pull them off. I don't think I could bear to spend a full day smelling them emanating from myself.
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 40
2/3/13 at 5:52am
Tom Ford Tuscan Leather. Clearly gets a lot of love and adoration, but I just can't seem to get used to it. Doesn't smell pleasant to my nose... Puts me in a negative mood for some reason. Guess I just can't relate to the leather scent it offers.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 40
2/3/13 at 6:40am
1740 Marquis de Sade
Egoiste
Absolue Pour Le Soir
Kouros

*These 3 I really dislike certain aspects of, but I respect their quality and what they do

Lumiere Noir
Bel Ami
and to some degree Fahrenheit

I love the way these smell, but for one reason or another I have a hard time wearing them.

I'm sure there are more I'm not thinking of.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 40
2/3/13 at 7:16am
Most vintage creations just don't interest me, but I respect that they brought everything to where it is today.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 40
2/3/13 at 7:29am
Two come to mind:
Malle's Portrait of a Lady
Mona's Oud

Utmost respect, but they're not right for me.
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 40
2/3/13 at 9:21am
I feel exactly the same way about Fahrenheit. I just don't want to smell like flowers and petrol, but still what a fragrance!
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 40
2/3/13 at 9:25am
L'Air du Desert Marocain
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 40
2/3/13 at 9:37am
I admire Dior's Original Poison and Thierry Muggler's Alien for the artistry of perfumery that made them, but they are two that are too much for me. Bravo to them!
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 40
2/3/13 at 11:00am
  • TLS
  • offline
  • Gender:
Quote:
Originally Posted by noirdrakkar View Post

L'Air du Desert Marocain

This! Just too complicated for me.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:
Originally Posted by noirdrakkar View Post

L'Air du Desert Marocain

This! Just too complicated for me.
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 40
2/3/13 at 12:34pm
I do not wear the following, but admire/respect them for their innovation and the huge impact they made on the industry.
Grey Flannel
Fahrenheit
Cool Water
Poison
cK One
Lagerfeld (classic mens)
Joop! Homme
Angel (and the "angel" accord ~ now used in so many perfumes)
Eau Sauvage ( in the case of this fragrance, for me it became a victim of its own success ~ in the seventies in Britain every second guy was wearing Eau Sauvage and that killed it for me)

Interesting thread. Thanks !
Reply
Reply
post #31 of 40
2/3/13 at 12:38pm
Chanel No 5. I cannot for the life of me wear it, but there's no denying it remains a timeless classic.
Reply
Reply
post #32 of 40
2/3/13 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by comfortablynumbbg View Post

Green Irish Tweed probably. I respect it as a truly great fragrance, and actually like it a lot, but I get negative feedback from those around me when I wear it, they say I smell too old mannish.

+1.

I respect GIT, but each time I wore it, I got what I consider to be negative feedback. I've been asked if it was Cool Water, which I consider negative only because it'd be like buying a BMW and having people ask "Is that the new Ford Fiesta?" But the last time I wore it, I was told I smelled, and I quote, "conservative." I asked if she meant that it wasn't edgy or maybe it smelled like an old man and she said "No. Whatever that is, it makes you smell like a Republican." Her words, not mine, but I completely understand what she meant.

I have a lot of respect for Green Irish Tweed. GIT is absolutely unquestionably superb. Of this, I have no doubt. But it isn't something I want to smell like. That being said... if climbing the corporate ladder were a priority to me, or if I wanted to project a sense of money and power plus quiet confidence, I'd buy GIT and it would be the only thing I'd wear. I should note that, in my opinion, the quiet confidence aspect is what makes GIT a work of pure genius.

GIT is a masterpiece. I have nothing but respect for it, but it isn't for me.
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 40
2/4/13 at 12:21am
Eternity
GIT and its knockoff CW
Verdant
Onda
Comme des Garcons 2011

I think these are all great (especially when some of them were initially released), but just wouldn't/couldn't wear them.
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 40
2/4/13 at 7:32am
Windsor.
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 40
2/4/13 at 8:48am
I would have to say Lagerfeld cologne. An old school classic. Just not for me.
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 40
2/4/13 at 9:53am
I would have to say GIT aswell. It's perfectly put together and is a smooth ride, but I just wouldn't like to wear it.

Another is Rien by ELdO -- I admire it very much, it doesn't compromise, but it's too bitter for me.
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 40
2/4/13 at 12:42pm
Kouros would be the one for me. I can't wear it because the urinal smell lingers on me for hours and I never get to the honey drydown that everybody raves about. But, I had a friend who wore it almost every day back in the early 90's and it smelled great on him. So, I know it does smell great - just not on my skin.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaern View Post

I would have to say GIT aswell. It's perfectly put together and is a smooth ride, but I just wouldn't like to wear it.

Another is Rien by ELdO -- I admire it very much, it doesn't compromise, but it's too bitter for me.

I find it interesting that GIT has gotten so many "votes" in this thread. I've always considered it a very inoffensive and unobtrusive fragrance - i.e. one that everybody likes.
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 40
2/4/13 at 2:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbthorpe View Post

I find it interesting that GIT has gotten so many "votes" in this thread. I've always considered it a very inoffensive and unobtrusive fragrance - i.e. one that everybody likes.

There's a big difference between liking it and wanting to wear it.
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 40
2/4/13 at 2:30pm
GIT, I respect the effort but I don't want to smell like cool water.
In short, most creeds give me that vibe. Quality ingredients but pedestrian smell. You can get the same smell for cheap.
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 40
2/4/13 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by L'Homme Blanc Individuel View Post

There's a big difference between liking it and wanting to wear it.

Agree.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Male Fragrance Discussion