A Wardrobe of 10

[SculptureOfSoul]

I suppose this is somewhat similar to a top 10 thread, but yet.. not . If you could only have 10 fragrances in your drobe, what would you pick, and most importantly, why?

Based on everything I've tried, here is what I would go with as of today

1. Bois de Turquie
I just love it. Cinnamon, orange, incense, sandalwood, orris, myrrh. It's a light enough oriental to be worn in all but the warmest of temps (it actually seems to fair best in warmer weather). Rich and opulent but its restrained nature makes it suitable for nearly any occasion. Its three distinct phases allow it to fit the role of my orris scent, one of my cinnamon scents (one of my favorite notes!), and my sandalwood scent.

2. Prada Amber
Ultra clean and yet evolves nicely and has a sort of magnetic allure to it. Extremely unique and fares fairly well in all weather and almost all situations. Versatile!

3. Versace Pour Homme
Another medium weight kind of frag that fairs well in many situations. Light enough to be a 'casual aquatic' but heavy enough to come across as slightly formal if you were dressed up. The cedar and oud in the drydown are nice, as is the mineralic note in the late drydown. The drydown is combined with a very nice citrus opening and sage heart. In this lineup it would serve mostly as a daily casual fragrance.

4. L'Anarchiste
Versatile medium weight frag (can you see a trend here? ). It's dark and brooding and yet has some spiritual qualities with the nice dose of cedar. One of my favorites during fall.. I've often called it the "scent of autumn, bottled."

5. Narciso Rodriguez PH
*The* scent to wear when it is raining outside. Dark, mysterious, elegant and glorious. A gothic Grey Flannel. This would serve as my primary green fragrance, too.

6. Fleur du Male
Sexy, sweet, woody, playful and barbershoppy. Makes a great date scent if you're feeling bold, and applied lightly works great in the spring. It's also extremely comforting to me. Along with Prada Amber, the most comforting fragrances I have tried.

7. Un Parfum des Sens et Bois
Ethereal incense, cedar and violets (almost smells like an airy ylang ylang note). Meditative and yet suitable for nearly any occasion. My drobe would need at least one incense scent and this is my first pick (if I were to include a second incense it would be Serge Noire)

8. Lys Mediterranee
Would be a staple of my spring and summer wardrobe. A cool lily based scent that doesn't get too sweet on me and stays firmly in the unisex boat. Sometimes you just want to smell like a flower, y'know?

9. Erolfa
Sometimes you just want to smell like the ocean. Salt. Mmm. This scent is one of the few that can be worn in 90+ degree temperatures with no fear of it turning on you. My favorite aquatic (I consider Versace Pour Homme to be more of a citrus/woody with an almost oriental drydown)

10. Not 100% sure what to fill this spot with yet. Something very woody and meditative. At least meditative. Some candidates are: Bois de Aoud, Tam Dao (need to test this more), Serge Noire, Royal Aoud, Hinoki (need to test more), Let me Play the Lion.


Honorable mentions:
Ungaro II - a beautiful scent. One of the finest I've ever smelled.. I just don't know when to wear it. I'm debating sticking it in the #10 slot just so I can have it around to sniff from time to time.

M7 - I love this but I've got other scents on the list that could be worn in its place, and it's not versatile enough. I have a feeling if it was winter right now and I was wearing this as regularly as I do in winter, that it would definitely be on my list. I haven't worn it in quite a while and so I'm forgetting all of its best qualities and remembering its slightly synthetic drydown. That's another reason its not on the list as of now.

Antidote - I love it but it lasts TOO long and I find the drydown to be just too synthetic to justify it being on my top 10 of all time.

Davidoff Adventure - I love this, too, but sometimes find it *too* spicy. L'Anarchiste and Bois de Turquie have some similar aspects both having woods and cinnamon and so 3 scents of this nature are just not necessary and Adventure is my least favorite of the three.

[MFJ]

In no order:

1. Bvlgari Aqua - simply for being the best mainstream aquatic i know

2. Erolfa - Being a huge aquatic person, I would want another

3. Original Santal - I like the warmness and this could be used for various occasions

4. Gucci Envy Men - another warm scent that is slightly more casual

5. GIT - I definitely want a sweet masculine scent that is easily likable

6. Guerlain Vetiver - this would be my only vetiver frag

7. Fahrenheit - has been a fave of mine for sometime

8. Eau Sauvage - sentimental reasons and can be my only citrus-based

9. Guerlain Heritage - would be great for my semi-formal outings or sessions

10. M7 - my choice candidate for black tie/formal events.

Though i strongly believe this is subject to change quite soon...

[shermanirving]

With 10 to choose I'd need to go for faves from the genres. As I learned on my recent 2 week vacation on which I brought about 15 scents, having so few to chose from is very boring.

Derby - the great masculine
SDV - the great vanilla
Dior Homme - just great
Bois des Iles - classic beauty
Knize Ten - need one leather
Philtre d'Amour - need one citrus/cologne
Parure - favorite chypre
Pour Monsieur - classic
Borneo 1834 - need one patchouli
Micallef Rose Aoud or Aoud Gourmet - need one oud

[KMF]

Havana / Havana Reserva - My all time favorite... Enough said!

Richard James (Savile Row) - Another fave that's great for formal occasions

Rive Gauche Intense PH - Anytime, anywhere, anything scent

Opium Eau d'Orient - Same as RG... Made for summer, but can we worn all year...

Kenzo Power - Great spring / fall alternative... Solid choice as an everyday floral

Hugh Parsons Blue - Great evening frag for all seasons. Guaranteed not too offend.

Encre Noire - My favorite vetiver scent. Great for all but the warmest of seasons...

Alba (Laura Tonatto) - Wonderful & unique take on citrus & moss than can be worn all year

Iss (Laura Tonatto) - Citrus scent that works great all year

M7 - This slot would be the wildcard that can change anytime... M7 is something I recently fell for. I just need to find the "red" bottle...

[tigrushka]

This kind of pruning of my wardrobe is never going to happen in the real world, but here goes:

1. Yohji Yamamoto: Yohji - my last signature scent, have used up six full bottles of it, could not imagine life without it.

2. Comme des Garçons: Comme des Garçons EdP - a spicy powerhouse soulmate scent.

3. Etro: Messe de Minuit - another soulmate scent, hub's favourite, he calls it "the treasure of the archives".

4. Annick Goutal: Vétiver - there must be one vetiver scent, and this one is my "I've crossed oceans of time to find you" vetiver.

5. Serge Lutens: Encens et Lavande - there must also be one lavender scent and this is the one I wear most.

6. Caron: N'Aimez Que Moi - possibly the most romantic scent I own.

7. L'Artisan: DZING! - an oddball scent I feel always comfortable in.

8. Robert Piguet: Bandit - one also needs one "take no prisoners" leather scent...

9. Guerlain: L'Heure Bleue - there must be one Guerlain and this one always makes me feel all is well in the universe, a safety blanket of a scent.

10. Ormonde Jayne: Ormonde Woman - cool, velvety violets, one of my favourite evening scents, dark and dramatic.

[mlt.perfume]

In no particular order:

1) Dior Homme - My all time favourite

2) Dior Homme Sport - a good summer alternative to my all time favourite

3) Creed Millesime Imperial - a classy aquatic; great for summer, and always gets me a compliment or two

4) Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta - a wonderful EdC, with wonderful longevity, and an invigorating quality

5) Yardley English Lavender - or Czech and Speake Oxford and Cambridge; every wardrobe needs a lavender based fragrance

6) Lorenzo Villoresi Musk - soft floral musk; great for winter

7) Dunhill Edition - lemon and spice; wonderful

8) Chanel Egoiste - Wonderful rich Sandalwood

9) Alt Innsbruck Eau de Cologne - Refreshing and calming fragrance - brilliant for hot summer months

10) Bvlagri Eau Parfumee au The Rouge - matthewfoo mentioned this in another thread, and I just got a craving for it

[SculptureOfSoul]

I knew I was forgetting something..

A lavender scent, a rose scent, and a vetiver.

Well, I could get lavender and rose with Ungaro II. For a vetiver I'd go with Annick Goutal too.. or maybe the old Route du Vetiver. But what to get rid of on my list? Hmm.

[MFJ]

M7. when i spray mine on, it will rub off on you

[avfcdamian92]

chanel allure homme
chanel allure edition blanche
dolce and gabbana the one
joop thrill
Gucci envy
ck one
chanel platinum egoiste
clinique happy for men
davidoff cool water
Hugo boss hugo

My fav scents of all time.

[SculptureOfSoul]

I'm still unsure of if I should stick with my list of ones I love, or try to include a few categories or notes that went unrepresented in my original list (most likely because even the "best of" that I've come across from the category I don't like or see myself wearing more than the top 10 in my list).

I really would like to cut my wardrobe down to about 10 - 20 scents maximum. 10 - 20 scents that I absolutely love and would in turn wear frequently enough to be intimate with their every detail.

I'll never give up sampling but even now I find that I have so many samples I haven't properly evaluated and just don't get around to because I'd rather wear something I know I love or that I know is suitable for the day or occasion.

[mtgprox05]

Ok here goes........

Bleecker Street: The fresh maker. Pretty much my go to, when I don't feel like thinking about anything. Incredibly fresh and bright, sexy as hell too.

Angeliques Sous la Pluies: The signature. This basically sums me up. Understated, fresh, spicy, green, I love it.

Vetiver Pour Elle: The beauty. The spotlight of my collection. Again, this is all me, fresh green, absolutely beautiful, and works well in ANY situation.

Cadjmere 18: My everyday autumn scent. Woody, smooth, slightly sweet, quiet, introverted. Just comfortable as all hell.

Encre Noir: My blow your mind scent. One thing is for sure, if I am ever in need to have a conversation starter, Encre Noir is my go to guy. Yes, that is ink your smelling.....

Amouage Dia for Men: Mr. Elegant. You need something in your wardrobe that just makes you smell like a million (or two) bucks. Sillage, longevity, smell, everything is absolutely perfect. One of the greatest smells on earth.

Hugh Parsons Blue: My go-to casual. No situation is ever too big or too small for Mr. Parsons. Cool, confident, laid back, yet classy. My scent for when I need to make a quiet impression, but feel comfortable at the same time.

Mure et Musc Extreme: The Panty Dropper. What else can be said, this stuff smells frickin' brilliant. And the compliments almost begin to get annoying after a while.

Straight to Heaven: My semi-gourmand. Smooth as all hell. Boozy sexiness bottled.

Empty Slot: My gourmand. I am in the search right now for it, so I have nothing to fill this spot at the moment. But possible contenders include: The Serge Lutens: Vetiver Oriental, Borneo 1834, and Douce Amere, Cologne du 68, L'Instant Pour Homme Eau Extreme and Chocolat Amere.

[mtgprox05]

I'm still unsure of if I should stick with my list of ones I love, or try to include a few categories or notes that went unrepresented in my original list (most likely because even the "best of" that I've come across from the category I don't like or see myself wearing more than the top 10 in my list).

I really would like to cut my wardrobe down to about 10 - 20 scents maximum. 10 - 20 scents that I absolutely love and would in turn wear frequently enough to be intimate with their every detail.

I'll never give up sampling but even now I find that I have so many samples I haven't properly evaluated and just don't get around to because I'd rather wear something I know I love or that I know is suitable for the day or occasion.

See, I don't think I could cut it down to the required 10. In my list I have quite a few genres listed but because of this have ommited some of my favorites. I think 20 is duable but 10 is too hard.

[DULLAH]

1. Creed Green Irish Tweed - true year rounder. citrus, earthy-floral, woods, creamy, earthy wood base is simply the best.
2. Creed Original Vetiver - another scent strong enough for cold weather, fresh enough for warm weather. best fresh vetiver out. Superbly rich, yet still green drydown on heavy application.
3. Hermes Concentre D'Orange Verte - of all the contemporary EDC-type citrus scents, this is the strongest, and most natural smelling. Impossible to over apply/never offensive. When applied heavy the mango and papaya really shine.
4. Creed Selection Verte - of all the traditional EDC-type scents, this was not only the most interesting/unique, but also more lasting than most(besides colonia), excellent warm weather citrus/herb/floral, that is timeless.
5. Sisley Eau De Campagne - most realistic "light green" scent ever. just enough citrus and floral to balance the very natural tomato leaf heart note. Unrivaled.
6. Creed Millesime Imperial - unbelievable fruit/citrus/floral, with just enough palm sap/wood to keep it from being too femme. as with most creeds, it does not become offensive at any level of application.
7. Truefitt & Hill West Indian Limes - deliciously "wet" lime-citrus scent. longevity isn't very good, and a heavy application does reveal a synthetic nature, but it's still a no doubt keeper in my book for starting out fun, wet, and sweet/tart, and ending green and spicy.
8. Creed Erolfa - Took me awhile to rate this one highly, but this is the only scent I have "come to understand" after initially being unimpressed. I think all the very slight use of many different watery floral, crisp herbal and sharp coniferous notes (yes, pine is in their official pyramid), when tied into the thick, (I'm assuming aged) briny ambergris really delivers an incredible olfactory image. It is a subtle scent, but again, with most creeds, even bathing in this never gets offensive or overly synthetic. I now prefer this over Bvlgari as the best Aqiuatic.
9. Guerlain Vetiver Sport - THE most slept on flanker of all time. Took a truly great green cologne and removed all the dated notes (carnation, tobacco, etc) and replaced them with very contemporary ones (Mandarin, Capsicum red pepper). Very fresh take on Guerlain's classic, and still very masculine.
10. Creed Green Valley - Of all the noticable sweet green scents, this is clearly the winner. maybe not a pure green valley, more of a green-beige-white valley, which i prefer as I've already got several "pure green" scents. Not always in the mood for so much honeysuckle bush/vanilla/sweetness, but when I am, this is the one I reach for. A keeper.

[Ken_Russell]

I agree with Guerlain Vetiver, Eau Sauvage, Knize Ten, ADP Colonia Assoluta and Gucci Envy, so that leaves me with only 5 titles left to choose and they would most likely be:

Ungaro III
Armani PH
Hugh Parsons... Yellow
Antaeus
Bois du Portugal

[L'Aventurier]

1. Eau Noire: Signature scent, dark and mysterious but ultra comforting
2. Cologne Blanche: The anti-thesis to Eau Noire, great for when I just want to smell clean and innocent.
3. Morning Blossom: Smells like happiness and relaxation in a bottle
4. Vetiver Extraordinaire: Great for when I want to smell like a green forest
5. Gendarme: The boring, yet ever-so-good office frag that everyone loves (eg. "ooouuhh you smell like soap.")
6. Black XS: The uber synthetic clubbing fragrance that never fails to get compliments.
7. Costes: Fall fragrance - cinnamon and incense. Has a spiritual vibe while also smelling trendy.
8. Mugler Cologne: I wear this when I'm thirsty and feeling a bit gritty on a hot day.

That's all I really need. I could get greedier though

[Irresistible]

1)Serge Noir
2)Borneo 1813
3)Gucci Pour Homme
4)Very Irresistible
5)Guerlain Vetiver
6)Guerlain L'Instant
7)Amouage Lyric Man
8)Montale Black Aoud
9)CdG Kyoto
10)Terre D'Hermes

[Kevin Guyer]

Shalimar - Everyone needs an oriental, this one is the best ever.
Patchouli by Réminiscence - My choice amongst all the patchouli fragrances out there.
Muscs Koublaï Khän - Unique musk that stands alone, but also layers well.
Body Kouros - Everyone needs a screamer. This one is LOUD, but the drydown is sublime.
Wall Street - My choice amongst the tidal wave of aquatics. This one is also a great floral.
Sous Le Vent Guerlain - My choice for a citrus classic.
Messe de Minuit - An eccentric incense, nice orange top.
Vétiver Annick Goutal - You have to have a vetiver, this one is great as it skips the citrus and replaces it with iodine.
Eau d'Hermès - My favorite eau and a wardrobe without a Roudnitska is unthinkable.
Sables Annick Goutal - Year rounder, tenacious and the use of immortelle is perfect.

[shermanirving]

See, I don't think I could cut it down to the required 10. In my list I have quite a few genres listed but because of this have ommited some of my favorites. I think 20 is duable but 10 is too hard.

I agree, but I'd need more then 20. I grasp the impetus to downsize and I've seen a few collectors do this - and I've also seen those people regret it. Before someone downsizes severely I'd suggest they experiment first by picking ten (or whatever # you plan to downsize to) bottles, put the rest in the closet and go a month with just those ten. If you enjoy this, then start selling, but at least try first. I know I got bored with 15 scents on a 14 day vacation (I weat 2/day often). One can of course focus on a slection of fragrances without selling the rest.

Anyway, my list above needs a vetiver, so I'd probably take out Pour Monsieur and put in Vetiver Pour Elle or Vetiver Extraordinaire.

[scent]

Chanel No. 5 Parfum
Iris Pallida
Ormonde Jayne Seraphim
SL Bois de Violette
TF Oud Wood
TF Tobacco Vanille
AG Myrrhe Ardente Parfum
AdP Profumo
Mitsouko
and last but not least...
Blue Jeans!!!

[Sorcery of Scent]

Penhaligon's LP No9: my signature scent
Guerlain Vol de Nuit vintage Extrait: perfume poetry
Christian Dior Eau Noire: my winter staple
Olivier Durbano Rock Crystal: earthy and elemental
Olivier Durbano Black Tourmaline: fire and brimstone
Hermés Eau de Orange Verte: citrus royalty
Washington Tremlett Black Tie: my "go to" rose
Thierry Mugler Cologne: summer staple
Diptyque Eau Lente: my must-have spice
Costume National Scent Intense: my "mauvais garcon" shape-shifting scent

[lancer]

Green Irish Tweed
Guerlain Vetiver
Bois du Portugal
Santal Noble
Original Vetiver
Gris Clair
Neroli Sauvage
Jubilation XXV
Racquets
Eau des Baux

[Haunani]

These challenges are always intriguing. I enjoy them because they help me focus on the fragrances I honestly care about most, and why. Of course, as we all know that is subject to change!

At this moment, I'll go with

The Versatile Vetiver and So Much More: Etro Shaal Nur

The Easy to Wear Rose: Gres Cabaret

The Special Occasion Perfect Rose: Malle Une Rose

The World's Most Amazing Incense Blend: L'Artisan Dzongkha

The Green Floral Chypre: Henry Dunay Sabi

The Salt Fix: Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel

The Sexy Tropical Floral: Saffron James Nani

The Perfect Purple Floral: TDC Bois d'Iris

The Eau de Hot Summer Day: L'Artisan Eau de Jatamansi

The Luscious Amber: MpG Ambre Precieux

Edit: I just realized that I left Theorema out. I need that one too, but I don't know which of the others to throw out!

[arwen_elf]

It is hard to keep the list so short, but here I go (in no particular order)

1) Eau de Patou - My very first perfume and favorite citrus. Lots of good memories and family love associations with it.

2) Chanel #5 (perfume concentration) - A classic, for elegant and formal occassions.

3) Passage d'Enfer - For those times when I need to focus, be professional, persuasive and credible.

4) L'Heure Bleue - For day dreaming, feeling relaxed and pensive.

5) Avignon - Simply sexy

6) Egoiste - For crisp and mild winter days

7) Cartier Declaration - Spicty yet fresh. Happy scent for me.

8) Gourmand Coquin - I don't own this...yet, but it is my favorite gourmand. After going through several samples, I will get a decant, before making the big investment.

9) Straight to Heaven - Sexy in a party atmosphere

10) Mitsouko - Another classic that should have been in my wardrobe all along. I am glad we got re-acquainted.

Honorary mention to Love by Killian, Douce Amere, Via del Profume Aqua Santa, Shalimar, Bel Respiro, Cristalle, Ambre Narguile, Joy, Chanel #19, New Haarlem. Oops, that makes 20.

[petruccijc]

Sorry - I could never have just 10.

[Tonyprince]

This is really hard, but if I had to choose ten right now, here they are:

1. Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver - earthy and classy at the same time. My favorite vetiver.
2. Lorenzo Villoresi Piper Nigrum - the top notes make me smile and it dries down to something lovely and different.
3. Olivier Durbano Black Tourmaline - Smokey and beautiful.
4. L'Artisan Fou d'Absinthe - Slightly pungent and a bit dirty, while also slightly sweet and boozy. Very strange and very good.
5. Parfum d'Empire Eau de Gloire - I don't know how all of these notes combine into something so beautiful, but they do. I don't know why this one gets so little notice on basenotes.
6. Caron Yatagan - What can I say that hasn't been said a million times? One of the best masculines ever.
7. MPG Ambre Precieux - My favorite amber by far.
8. Serge Lutens Gris Clair - Burnt lavender with (thankfully) none of the Lutens honey.
9. Salvador Dali PH - This is a great fragrance. There was some spilled in transit when I bought a bottle and I actually kept the cardboard to smell for days.
10. Givenchy Gentleman - My favorite patchouli.

[Aaron01]

My wardrobe has been dwindling down close to that level, so it should be easy(ier) to list

No order:
Cumming
Santos Eau de Sport
Baie de Genievre
Givenchy Gentleman (Vintage)
Bel Ami (Vintage)
Tiffany For Him
Parfum d'Habit
Musc Koublai Kahn
Black Aoud
(Empty)

[sables]

Mitsouko EdT - the best fruity chypre around
Vol de Nuit - chypre meets oriental, dark and wonderful!!
Derby - can´t stop sniffing my wrists...
New York - one of the best ever made!
Van Cleef & Arpels pour Homme - the best leather chypre pour homme, IMO!
3me Homme - smoky flowers, delicious!
Pour un Homme de Caron - lavande classique et insurpassable!
Monsieur Balmain - citron classique et insurpassable!
Pour Monsieur, Chanel - pure class in a bottle!
Cuir de Russie, Chanel - the leather scent of my dreams!

and:
Kouros - for the animal in me......

[ultranova3]

Serge Lutens Chergui
Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan
Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque
L'Artisan Parfumeur Poivre Piquant
Chanel Bois des Iles
Chanel Cuir de Russie
Hermes Doblis
The Different Company Bois d'Iris
Guerlain Shalimar
Prada No. 3 Cuir Ambre

[HDS1963]

Out of my current collection I would choose...

1) Hammam Bouquet by Penhaligon's - unique floral oriental and all time favourite
2) Michael Kors for men. I just love it.
3) Heritage by Guerlain, my favourite powerhouse frag
4) 3rd Man by Caron - sheer class
5) Rose 31 by Le Labo.
6) Dior Homme - one of my favourite evening fragrances
7) Helmut Lang EDC - a truly great fragrance
8) Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta - a classic and long lasting cologne
9) Tommy Bahama original - Because it's spicy, warm and lasts forever
10) Riverside Drive by Bond No.9

But it would be a toss up for some of those places with so many other fragrances. Ask me tomorrow the list might be different...

[Dane]

My current list:

1. Declaration (Cartier)
2. Une Fleur de Cassie (Freddy Malle)
3. Mitsouko (Guerlain)
4. 28 La Pausa (Chanel)
5. Iris Silver Mist (Serge Lutens)
6. Black (Bvlgari)
7. Original Aoud (Montale)
8. Par Amour (Clarins)

I could live with just those 8 frankly. I buy new bottles all the time, and always go back to these...although I admit I rarely wear Iris Silver Mist and Mitsouko, I still wouldn't want to be without them.