Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Just Starting Out › I want to get up to 20 bottles and no more, help me along the way... 4-5 frags per season..
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

I want to get up to 20 bottles and no more, help me along the way... 4-5 frags per season..

post #1 of 25
2/23/13 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 
And taking into account versatility I may could play around with 4-5 frags.. I was thinking a signature starting line-up list, but I like a seasonal one better. I'm open to niche, designer, and cheapies, but i much prefer QUALITY of QUANTITY.

I'm 27, single, "globetrotter", living in France (not for much longer), I'm normally dressed down as i'm not in my career yet, I like gourmands, oud, leather, vanilla, cocoa, sandalwood.. I dislike rose and not big on incense, vetiver based.

I will be headed to Paris next week-end, so I hope to get my nose on as much as possible that I haven't already smelled. Thanks for suggestions.

What I have:
TM- Pure Malt, fall/winter
D&G- The One, all season
Dior Homme Intense, all season
Paco Rabane- One Million, chopping block
Tom Ford- Oud Wood, all season
Tom Ford- Tuscan Leather, fall/winter
Creed- Aventus, all season
Dior- Bois D'argent, all season
24- Gold, winter/fall
Issey Miyakke- l'eau D'issey all season/spring summer


To buy:
Gucci- PHII
TH- Pure Havane
Van Clef Arpel- MdP EdP
Chanel- Allue Homme
Chanel- Allure Homme Edt. Blanche
Dior- Homme Sport
Tom Ford- Tobacco Vanille
Creed- GiT
Prada- Amber Intense
Ramon Monegal- Agar Musk
Frederic Malle- Musc Ravageur
YSL- La Nuit parfum
CK One- Shock

For a man who had 1 cologne the past 2 years, this is an absolute come up.. I need daring, citrus, neroli, greener or whatever will work best for the summer/spring since that seems like where I'm lacking.
Reply
Reply

Features on Basenotes

Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
post #2 of 25
2/23/13 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsieur View Post

And taking into account versatility I may could play around with 4-5 frags.. I was thinking a signature starting line-up list, but I like a seasonal one better. I'm open to niche, designer, and cheapies, but i much prefer QUALITY of QUANTITY.

I'm 27, single, "globetrotter", living in France (not for much longer), I'm normally dressed down as i'm not in my career yet, I like gourmands, oud, leather, vanilla, cocoa, sandalwood.. I dislike rose and not big on incense, vetiver based.

I will be headed to Paris next week-end, so I hope to get my nose on as much as possible that I haven't already smelled. Thanks for suggestions.

What I have:
TM- Pure Malt, fall/winter
D&G- The One, all season
Dior Homme Intense, all season
Paco Rabane- One Million, chopping block
Tom Ford- Oud Wood, all season
Tom Ford- Tuscan Leather, fall/winter
Creed- Aventus, all season
Dior- Bois D'argent, all season
24- Gold, winter/fall
Issey Miyakke- l'eau D'issey all season/spring summer


To buy:
Gucci- PHII
TH- Pure Havane
Van Clef Arpel- MdP EdP
Chanel- Allue Homme
Chanel- Allure Homme Edt. Blanche
Dior- Homme Sport
Tom Ford- Tobacco Vanille
Creed- GiT
Prada- Amber Intense
Ramon Monegal- Agar Musk
Frederic Malle- Musc Ravageur
YSL- La Nuit parfum
CK One- Shock

For a man who had 1 cologne the past 2 years, this is an absolute come up.. I need daring, citrus, neroli, greener or whatever will work best for the summer/spring since that seems like where I'm lacking.


I acquired a good collection over the years just by being patient. I go by three rules when shopping for a fragrance. One is to keep an open mind on which type of notes I like. If my choice of notes is narrowed down, I may miss a great number two, chemistry. It has to work for me and me only, not the next person. Three is now, I will purchase seasonal and wear it then not four months later. So being that spring is coming I would choose my fragrances for spring/summer starting now, but not all at once.
Unfortunately I don't recommend fragrance, I only brag about what works for me. I recommended once and several replies were derogatory towards that fragrance.
By the way, I have collected over 100 fragrances over the years and have given some away. So choose wisely.

Good Luck!

C
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 25
2/23/13 at 12:27pm
Try Chanel ALLURE HOMME ÉDITION BLANCHE, Terre d'Hermes, and Cartier Declaration d'Un Soir. Cartier Declaration is not a summer scent but one I would say you should definitely sample.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 25
2/23/13 at 12:49pm
My designer winter rotation. But really it's BS, I usually mix it up a bit. I caught myself wearing Roadster, Lacoste Red, Ice Man in mid-fall, heavier scents in the spring/summer. In the last few weeks I been wearing a lot of Thallium and Thallium Black and they are not on my winter "rotation"...but I just like making the list.


Fall
Pure Havane
Pure Malt
Guerlain Homme Extreme
YSL La Nuit De L’Homme
Dior Homme Intense

Winter
Versace The Dreamer
JPG Le Male
Escada Magnetism
Guerlain LIDGE
Chanel Allure Homme

Spring
YSL L’Homme
Gucci Pour Homme II
Marc Jacobs Man
Terre D’Hermes
Chanel Allure Edition Blanche



Summer
Chanel Allure Homme Sport
Cartier Roadster
Bleu De Chanel
D&G The One
Versace Pour Homme
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 25
2/23/13 at 12:52pm
I don't separate scents into seasons, but here are a few you may want to sample based on your preferences and goal...

Les Nombres d'Or Vanille by Mona di Orio (relatively dry vanilla with hints of rum, wood and spices)
Padparadscha by Satellite (fiery capsicum and other spices over a gorgeous sandalwood base)
Les Nombres d'Or Oud by Mona di Orio (just about as good as it gets in the real Oud department if you like your Oud refined)
Cuir Pleine Fleur by Heeley (floral relatively soft leather)
Cologne du Parfumeur by Guerlain (extremely versatile light citrus Eau de Cologne that can be worn by itself or used as a base)
Knize Ten (reference hardcore classic leather)
Pure Oud by By Kilian (another good quality Oud centric fragrance, though not as good as the MdO, IMO -- buy refill to save $$$)
Terre d'Hermès by Hermes or Tzora by Anat Fritz (good woody all-arounder)
Eau de Campagne by Sisley (Classic green and one of JC Ellena's best)
Coeur de Vetiver Sacré by L'Artisan (don't let the Vetiver word in the title scare you off trying it as this one is all about the bergamot and spice and the Vetiver is completely transparent... Think spiced Earl Grey)
Monsieur de Givenchy by Givenchy (super classy and versatile light all around aromatic citrus chypre)
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 25
2/23/13 at 1:15pm
New Haarlem
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 25
2/23/13 at 2:59pm
Carbone de Balmain
Burberry London
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 25
2/23/13 at 3:18pm
Midnight in Paris
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 25
2/23/13 at 6:51pm
So much to smell in Paris that's not available in most other places.

Since you are talking about fresh, I'd go with a vetiver. In Malle, $$$ Vetiver extraordinaire, it's the freshest vetiver around. There's also Chanel Sycomore (at Chanel boutiques), which is a touch woodier.

In general, I suggest you stop by Parfums de Nicolai (a few stores in Paris), which have a great quality/price ratio. For freshness, there's Baladin, which is a rather smoky vetiver. They also have an excellent neroli eau de cologne, Cologne Sologne (which, as all eau de cologne, is not particularly long lasting).

And finally, take the opportunity to get one mainstream perfume you can find pretty much only in France, Dior Jules, which is fresh-herbal-green.

cacio
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 25
2/23/13 at 9:37pm
Dude says he's not into vetiver though.

Check out Diptyque Virgilio or Phylosykos. Creed Neroli Sauvage for lemon and neroli. L'Instant pour Homme has some gourmand character without being too heavy.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 25
2/25/13 at 8:39am
Try Guerlain Sous le Vent for your refreshing green number. But I gotta agree with Cologniano
- take your time to find your fragrance loves.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 25
2/25/13 at 9:19am
If I were a young wealthy globetrotter, I would focus on a handful of exclusive frags instead of a pile of stuff you can find in drugstores in any country.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 25
2/25/13 at 11:02am
You could try: Rochas Man, not expensive and for me always a compliment getter
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 25
2/25/13 at 2:46pm
Have a try of TF Black Orchid, good for any season, but probably better in the cooler months.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 25
2/25/13 at 6:08pm
From your list, definitely look into GPH II, La Nuit, and DHS
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 25
2/26/13 at 2:00am
Thread Starter 
I said globetrotter, because I backpack quite a bit.. But i'm far from wealthy, really i'm a broke college student lol.

Knize Ten
Tuscan leather

I liked neither really, so i guess i'm not a fan of leather either..
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 25
2/26/13 at 3:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsieur View Post

I said globetrotter, because I backpack quite a bit.. But i'm far from wealthy, really i'm a broke college student lol.

Knize Ten
Tuscan leather

I liked neither really, so i guess i'm not a fan of leather either..

You may want to give some of the softer/suede leather scents a try first before giving up on the genre. Cuiron by Helmut Lang is my reference, but that is discontinued, rare and extremely expensive. Cuir Pleine Fleur should give you a decent reading and/or perhaps Cuirelle by Ramon Monegal.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 25
2/28/13 at 2:31pm
As usual, I'd always suggest samples rather than bottle buys before knowing what you like for sure. Also, they'll fit in your backpack easier!

You've got many years ahead to settle on your best favoritest all-star scents. Try much, be picky. And I'd also echo what someone said about checking out exclusives or in-store stuff. They may not be the best scents in the world, but they'll be unique and carry a story/memory or two with them that will mean something to you.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 25
3/1/13 at 2:32am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the suggestions..

I think I know a bit of what I like and dislike, but yes i do have a long journey ahead of me.. I'm just kind of stone set on not making this like other hobbies I've gotten into and really trying to avoid "hoarding" especially if each frag doesn't have a useful utility.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 25
3/1/13 at 7:07am
I would suggest looking into the Armani Prive line
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 25
3/2/13 at 6:35am
Try sampling some Montales. Ramon Monegal is on your list, virtually all of his stuff is unique, and smells nice...try Dry Wood or Umbra
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 25
3/2/13 at 7:47am
I'm not sure if making this suggestion will mean anything, but try and get your nose on Invasion Barbare. Great spring/summer anytime fragrance (if you can afford to wear it anytime that is), but it is quite expensive.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 25
3/2/13 at 8:02am
I think you'd really enjoy La nuit but scratch the EDP off your list. Just because it's and EDP doesn't make it better quality or last longer.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 25
3/2/13 at 3:21pm
I'm just curious why you want so many fragrances if you are on the road so much.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 25
3/3/13 at 2:15am
If I could pick any 20, it would look something like this:

1) Portrait of a Lady
2) Rose 31
3) Lyric Man
4) Fou d'Absinthe
5) Aventus
6) Bois du Portugal
7) Egoiste
8) Tuscan Leather
9) Gucci pour Homme
10) New Haarlem
11) Dior Homme
12) Green Irish Tweed
13) Tonka Imperiale
14) L'Eau d'Issey
15) Terre d'Hermes (maybe)
16) Pure Havane (maybe)
17) New York (maybe)
18) Lumiere Noire (maybe)
19) Poivre 23 (maybe)
20) Burberry London (maybe)
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Just Starting Out

Features on Basenotes

Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Just Starting Out › I want to get up to 20 bottles and no more, help me along the way... 4-5 frags per season..