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Can You Name at Least 10 Really Good, Underrated, Designer Fragrances That Are a Must Try?

post #1 of 56
Thread Starter 
I am not a niche kinda of guy. Can You Name at least 10 Really Good, Underrated, Designer Fragrances That Are a Must Try?
post #2 of 56
Highly subjective. I'll name one: Jules by Dior
post #3 of 56
Kenneth Cole. KC Black is one of my favorites - not much love on Basenotes, but Black, Vintage Black, and Reaction are all fresh great compliment getters that put me in a good mood when I wear them.

Perry Ellis also has some really good fragrances that you can pick up for dirt cheap.
post #4 of 56
Declaration by Cartier
post #5 of 56
I'll give it a try..

Azzaro Acteur
Dior Dune
Lalique Pour Homme
Viktor & Rolf Antidote
Boucheron Jaipur
Michael Kors For Men
Ferre Bergamotto Marino
Hermes Rocabar
Jil Sander Man
Must de Cartier PH
post #6 of 56
Brooks Brothers New York for Gentlemen
post #7 of 56
Escada Magnetism
Ben Sherman
Jil Sander Man
Lacoste Elegance
Lalique White
CH Men
Lanvin Avant Garde
Arman Basi Homme
Dsquared Rocky Mountain
post #8 of 56
Lalique White
Dior Homme Intense
Dior Dune
Dior Homme Sport
Dior Eau Sauvage, edp
Boucheron Jaipur
Gucci Pour Homme I
Acqu Di Gio Essenza, edp
post #9 of 56
Cartier Declaration
Jil Sander For Men
ST Dupont Essence Pure
Azzaro Chrome
Givenchy Xeryus Rouge
Bvlgari Aqua Pour Homme
YSL L'Homme
Aigner Man2
Carlos Santana for Men
Versace Pour Homme
post #10 of 56
Cartier Roadster
Chanel Allure Homme
Xeryus Rouge
Givenchy Very Irresistible
Kenzo Homme Sport
Armani Attitude
Chanel Platinum Egoiste
Givenchy Play Sport
Z Zegna
Fleur du Male
post #11 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by southerngardens View Post

I am not a niche kinda of guy. Can You Name at least 10 Really Good, Underrated, Designer Fragrances That Are a Must Try?

Ten?!? Dang, sg, why not ask for 35?

So I went to Nordstrom.com, and searched their fragrances, noting each one I thought was pretty good. Here's why I got:

1) Dolce & Gabbana The One -- I like it, what can I say. Warm, slightly oriental, "date night" -- nice!
2) Cartier Declaration Cologne -- For me, the original is just too . . . pot-pourri? European? I don't know. But the Cologne tones it down enough that I can relax, and enjoy it.
3) Bulgari Pour Homme -- Maybe not underrated. But subtle enough that you can miss how nice it is if you're not careful.
4) Mugler Cologne -- Also not underrated. But available, not expensive, . . . and really, really nice. Invigorating. Makes me smile.
5) Kiehl's oils -- Pick one. Cheap. Interesting!
6) Dior Homme Sport
7) Marc Jacobs Men

I'm conceding, I can't get 10. Fun exercise, though.
post #12 of 56
Just to name a few on the "for Men" side of things. There are a lot of them. And I'm not counting the ones from Mugler since they're all sniff worthy as well as the "for Woman" masterpieces
Fleur du Male - Jean-Paul Gaultier
La Cologne Fleur du Male - Jean-Paul Gaultier (smell completely different from the original)
Gaultier2 - Jean-Paul Gaultier
Kenzo Power Cologne - Kenzo
L'eau par Kenzo - Kenzo
Declaration - Cartier
Pi - Givenchy
La Rue de la Fortune - D&G
Guerlain Homme - Guerlain
Body Kouros - YSL
Lolita Lempicka au Masculin/L'eau Masculin - Lolita Lempicka

And the list goes on...
post #13 of 56
I'd say these houses deserve exploration:
Aramis
Jacomo
Salvador Dali
All are inexpensive and easy to find.
As always, I'd also like to recommend Roberto Cavalli Man.
post #14 of 56
If we include discontinued/vintage designer scents it gets much easier (and this is just a random 10 of so many more)...

Giorgio for Men (vintage) by Giorgio Beverly Hills
Captain by Molyneux
Richard James edt by Richard James
Bijan for Men (vintage) by Bijan
JHL (vintage) by Aramis
Nemo by Cacharel
Eau de Patou by Jean Patou
KL Homme by Lagerfeld
Ocean Rain by Mario Valentino
Cacharel pour L'Homme by Cacharel
post #15 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by danho View Post

Cartier Roadster
Chanel Allure Homme
Xeryus Rouge
Givenchy Very Irresistible
Kenzo Homme Sport
Armani Attitude
Chanel Platinum Egoiste
Givenchy Play Sport
Z Zegna
Fleur du Male


That seems like a pretty good list to me.
I'd substitute Cacharel Pour Homme and Laura Biagotti Roma for one or two of those mentioned.
post #16 of 56
Ysl M7
Dior Homme
Ysl Kouros
Ysl Rive Gauche
Ysl L'Homme
Terre D'Hermes
Pal Zileri Collezione privata viagio africa
Gucci II
Guci Envy
Chanel Allure
Chanel Platinum Egoiste
Gucci Envy
Ysl Body Kouros
Lalique Encre Noire
Halston Man Amber
Tom Ford for men Extreme
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Emanuel Ungaro 1 AND 2
Jil Sander man absolute
Animale animale
Guerlain habit rouge Edp


Pick any 10 at random
post #17 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by Granola View Post

Ysl M7
Dior Homme
Ysl Kouros
Ysl Rive Gauche
Ysl L'Homme
Terre D'Hermes
Pal Zileri Collezione privata viagio africa
Gucci II
Guci Envy
Chanel Allure
Chanel Platinum Egoiste
Gucci Envy
Ysl Body Kouros
Lalique Encre Noire
Halston Man Amber
Tom Ford for men Extreme
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Emanuel Ungaro 1 AND 2
Jil Sander man absolute
Animale animale
Guerlain habit rouge Edp


Pick any 10 at random

Apart from the first fourteen which aren't underrated (except maybe Pal Zileri)
post #18 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by martinijo View Post

Apart from the first fourteen which aren't underrated (except maybe Pal Zileri)


I skipped the underrated part. Lol

Pal Zileri Collezione privata viagio africa
Halston Man Amber
24 Gold by scent story
Lalique hommage
Michael Jordan legend
Costume National Homme
Eau des baux l'occitane
L'occitane vetiver
Amber Oud by the body shop
Rose Oud by the body shop
post #19 of 56
Burberry The beat
Burberry Brit
Moschino uomo?
Kenzo Power
Carolina Herrera Chic
Marc Jakobs bang bang
YSL lhomme libre
Bvlgari Black
post #20 of 56
Midnight in Paris
Body Kouros
post #21 of 56
Costume National Scent Intense
Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense - the new less watery, more spicey version
Comme de Garcons 2Man
Chanel Allure Homme Sport Cologne - the big, clear bottle that's more lemon than orange
Michael Kors MICHAEL
Lalique Equus
Ralph Lauren Purple Label
post #22 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by martinijo View Post

Apart from the first fourteen which aren't underrated (except maybe Pal Zileri)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Granola View Post

I skipped the underrated part. Lol

LOOOL! I was about to make my own witty comment!

My list consists of not so much underrated as neglected frags.
Most enjoys great respect from the people who knows them.

Dune pour Homme - Dior
Jules - Dior
Lagerfeld Cologne
Cristobal pour Homme- Balenciaga
Xeryus - Givenchy
Miracle Homme - Lancôme
Gaultier²
Insensé - Givenchy
Carbone - Balmain
Joop! Homme

I always prefer vintage formulations, Imma snob like that, but
most of these have decent formulations right now.
With Lagerfeld, though, only vintage cologne will do. Avoid the
modern Lagerfeld Classic like the plague.
post #23 of 56
Midnight In Paris
Bergamatto Marino
Ted Lapidus Altamir
Sonia Rykiel Man
Carbone de Balmain
Fahrenheit Aqua
Lalique Pour Home
Ferragamo Black
Ted Lapidus Pour Lui
Avant Garde
You Should be able to get each one of these for $50 or less!
post #24 of 56
How do Halston Man Amber and 24 Gold compare? Im debating between these two for a cheap amber. Let me know
post #25 of 56
Lacoste pour Homme
Clinique Happy for Men
Armani Code Sport

Those are the only ones I can think of that are rarely mentioned.
post #26 of 56
This,

Quote:
Originally Posted by drseid View Post

If we include discontinued/vintage designer scents it gets much easier (and this is just a random 10 of so many more)...

Giorgio for Men (vintage) by Giorgio Beverly Hills
Captain by Molyneux
Richard James edt by Richard James
Bijan for Men (vintage) by Bijan
JHL (vintage) by Aramis
Nemo by Cacharel
Eau de Patou by Jean Patou
KL Homme by Lagerfeld
Ocean Rain by Mario Valentino
Cacharel pour L'Homme by Cacharel
post #27 of 56
I've been enjoying H.M. by Hanae Mori quite a lot lately. Cheap as borscht.
post #28 of 56
John Varvatos 10th anniversary and Lanvin Avant Garde.
post #29 of 56
Hanae Mori HM
Midnight in Paris

Both I agree with and came to mind when I read the thread title.

CK One Shock for Him
post #30 of 56
Dune Pour Homme
Bronze Goddess
Bulgari Black
Narciso Rodriguez Musc
Bulgari Au The Vert Extreme
Live Jazz
John Varvatos
Bulgari Soir
post #31 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by dougczar View Post

Kenneth Cole. KC Black is one of my favorites - not much love on Basenotes, but Black, Vintage Black, and Reaction are all fresh great compliment getters that put me in a good mood when I wear them.

Perry Ellis also has some really good fragrances that you can pick up for dirt cheap.

+1. I love KC Black, it was one of my first purchases, a blind buy. I have no regrets (Other than the fact I didn't do much research online and way over paid ). And I have not found anything close to it. I heard Vintage Black is very similar to Black, but I do want to get my hands on Reaction soon (I'm considering a blind buy!)

I'm not sure how some of these are underrated. At least not by my definition of underrated. But, I will throw in Chrome Legend, wonderful fragrance, I have tried Chrome once, but thought it was forgetful and not good compared to this. Also a blind buy before I knew anything about fragrances.
post #32 of 56
Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris
Kenzo Once Upon a Time Pour Homme
Kenzo Tokyo
Hanae Mori HM

I'm sure there are many others.
post #33 of 56
Underrated hmmm

Dior Homme Sport 2008 is the major one that immediately springs to mind.
post #34 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by donz1 View Post

How do Halston Man Amber and 24 Gold compare? Im debating between these two for a cheap amber. Let me know

24 Gold is Vanilla Heavy and Sweet.

Halston man Amber is Amber Heavy and not sweet. Halston is more versatile and interesting but both are very good.
post #35 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by senore01 View Post

Lalique White
Dior Homme Intense
Dior Dune
Dior Homme Sport
Dior Eau Sauvage, edp
Boucheron Jaipur
Gucci Pour Homme I
Acqu Di Gio Essenza, edp

What are you smoking? I want some
post #36 of 56
the 360 line by perry ellis.
post #37 of 56
Halston Amber Man
Valentino Very Valentino
Burberry London Special Edition 2008
Armani Attitude
Roma per Uomo
Faconnable Faconnable for men
YSL Body Kouros
post #38 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by Granola View Post

24 Gold is Vanilla Heavy and Sweet.

Halston man Amber is Amber Heavy and not sweet. Halston is more versatile and interesting but both are very good.


Thanks for the update. I've heard the longevity and projection of Halston leaves something to be desired?
post #39 of 56
Some under appreciated or a little less known would be Bergamotto Marino, Kenneth Cole Reaction Connection, Kenneth Cole Black, 24 Gold, Kenzo Pour Homme, Ferragammo Black, Dsquared He Wood Rocky Mountain Wood, Dsquared Potion, Vetiver Hombre, and Paco Rabanne XS.
post #40 of 56
Hermes Rocabar works well for me in the heat.
post #41 of 56
Few on my list are probably already mentioned b4:

Tiffany for men
Or Black by Pascal Morabito
Nejma Aoud series 1-6 (to me this line is neither designer nor niche - lost inbetn...)
Nejma Puro & Puro Intense
Hermes Bel Ami
Eau de Patou
Eau Sauvage EDP
Terre de Hermes Pure Parfum
Hilfiger Athletic (discontinued)
DSquared He Wood
Cartier Declaration
Roma by Laura Biogiotti
Narciso Rodriguez - For Him & Musc
Carven Vetiver
Clinique Chemistry
Ted Lapidus PH & Pour Lui
post #42 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by donz1 View Post

Thanks for the update. I've heard the longevity and projection of Halston leaves something to be desired?

Not true. Longevity is decent on me (10-12 hours) and it has acceptable projection. 24 gold on the other hand is a nuclear bomb, this can be off putting to the people around you
post #43 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by CapriDog View Post

Hermes Rocabar works well for me in the heat.

yes, true same with Dune PH by Dior!
post #44 of 56
Lolita Lempicka
Cartier Declaration
Armani Mania
Emporio Armani He
Kiton Red
Calvin Klein Eternity
Calvin Klein Escape
Guerlain Homme
Guerlain Heritage
JPG Le Male Summer
Gendarme
post #45 of 56
Givenchy Play
Givenchy Play Intense
Givenchy Play Sport
Givenchy Pi Neo
post #46 of 56
1. Chanel Egoiste
2. YSL Opium EDT
3. Azzaro Visit
4. Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui
5. Kiton for Men
6. Kiton Black for Men
7. Chopard Noble Cedar
8. Carolina Herrera for Men
9. Dior Fahrenheit Absolute
10. Azzaro pour Homme
post #47 of 56
Most of my favourites have been discontinued or badly reformulated.

From what's still out there:

Pal Zileri Sartoriale
Kristiansand New York
Tiffany for Men
Pour un Homme
L'Anarchiste
Givenchy Vetyver
Kiton Black
Cerruti 1881
Eau Sauvage Fraicheur Cuir
Cacharel pour L'Homme
Declaration
Declaration Cologne
Pasha
post #48 of 56
Givenchy Xeryus Rouge
Cartier Declaration
Costume National Scent Intense
Costume National Homme
ST Dupont Essence Pure Pour Homme
Aramis Bermuda Tonic
Hermes Rocabar
F Black by Salvatore Ferragamo
Halston Unbound for Men
CK Eternity
post #49 of 56
In a word, no I can't. Most of those people are listing are highly regarded for a reason. Under rated ones are under rated for a reason. One never mentioned anymore and discontinued (but can be found very cheaply) is Carlos Santana. Just blind buy it for less than $20. You won't be sorry.
post #50 of 56
Here some really good designers, although most of them are not underrated:

Mugler A*Men
Mugler Pure Havane
Mugler Pure Malt
Mugler Pure Coffee (too bad this one is discontinued and hard to find)
Terre d'Hermes (I prefer the Parfum version)
L'Instant de Guerlain Extreme
Givenchy Insense (this too is discontinued)
Bvlgari Pour Homme Soir
post #51 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by Granola View Post

Not true. Longevity is decent on me (10-12 hours) and it has acceptable projection. 24 gold on the other hand is a nuclear bomb, this can be off putting to the people around you

Damn, I missed the last bottle of Halston on eday that was going for $31.
post #52 of 56
Alfred Sung Homme can be found really cheap and is always a compliment getter.
post #53 of 56
In no particular order:

Azzaro pour Homme Elixir, Essenza di Zegna, Givenchy pour homme, L'Essense de Cerutti, Chopard Noble Cedar, Perry Ellis Platinum Label, Python Uomo, Kenneth Cole RSVP, Rykiel Homme, & Davidoff Silver Shadow Private.
post #54 of 56
Underrated... Maybe:
1- Rochas Man
2- Body Kouros
3- Santos
4- Troisieme man
5- Lalique equus
6- Jaipur
etc.

- - - Updated - - -

Underrated... Maybe:
1- Rochas Man
2- Body Kouros
3- Santos
4- Troisieme man
5- Lalique equus
6- Jaipur
etc.
post #55 of 56
Hmmmm - under-rated and not already mentioned - no I can't.

I would add though Cartier Declaration Essence and Givenchy Vetyver - both awesome
post #56 of 56
Diesel Zero Plus
Paul Smith London
Samba Kiss Me
Phat Farm Atman
Jacques Fath pour l'Homme
Tommy Hilfiger True Star
Zirh Corduroy
Daddy Yankee
Salvador Dali Agua Verde
Dunhill Pure

I think i can name a lot more. Not only are all of these scents underrated, they're all pretty unique too. Daddy Yankee smells like a stronger version of Euphoria with an added vanilla note. Kiss Me is similar to Mandarina Duck Black. PS London has been compared to Obsession Night, but I don't really get it.
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