Best italian fragrance for men

[achanna]

Eau d`Italie - Paestum Rose

[jathanas]

I'm game and I'm up to a good drubbing. I think there is a relatively clear Italian tradition of perfumery that shares many characteristics with Italian cuisine - I am skating on frost now, someone send in the clowns.
I think Italian perfumery is characterized by a much more holistic use of materials, less blending, less abstraction, the ample use of hesperidic notes and herbs. Case in point Lorenzo Villoresi's approach as well as Santa Maria Novella's.
I think the Italian tradition is close to the English tradition, minus the lavender.

Yeah, I call it "Mediterranean minimalism". It's also evident if you'd contrast Italian and French cuisines.

[bokaba]

Who can resist Acqua di Parma Colonia?

[Dimitrios]

From the designer shelves :

Ungaro I
Versace L'Homme
Pino Silvestre
Vendetta PH
Moschino PH

[Haunani]

Lots of excellent recommendations here. I'll add
Versace The Dreamer, as well as a few from Etro: Mahogany, Shaal Nur, Vetiver, Sandalo

Oh yeah, I love Etro!

[DULLAH]

"the best" denotes choosing only the top rank:

Acqua Di Parma Colonia

[seasoldiermarine]

Acqua di Parma Lavanda Tonica
Antico Caruso
Carthusia Uomo

[MikeFromManhattan]

Lorenzo Villoresi Uomo and Spezie

[scentimus]

Trussardi Uomo

[Hillaire]

I like Gucci Pour Homme and Nobile

I also love the old powerhouses of Fendi Uomo and Krizia Uomo

[Renato]

1. Benetton Sport
2. Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver.

Renato

[Hide & Reason]

In this one thread alone there's several definitions of 'Italian'. Namely, is the company's history grounded in Italy? is the style of the range recognisably Italinate? are the perfumers Italians? and is the non-Italian company's marketing Italian?

In terms of aesthetics, Italian perfume to me means boldness, simplicity and high contrast over subtlety, complexity and gradation, which I find more to French qualities.

[narcus]

In terms of aesthetics, Italian perfume to me means boldness, simplicity and high contrast over subtlety, complexity and gradation, which I find more to French qualities.

Most fans are certainly guided by an Italian name of either brand or fragrance. All other definitions are a little tricky, I agree. And the qualities you listed, including 'French' qualities, can all be found in fragrances of brands mentioned before (like SMN or Villoresi) and not mentioned so far, like ETRO.

In looking through some files I miss Italians in whatever lists of perfumers. Especially Bulgari seems to have engaged French perfumers too. Their fragrances are as Italian as Creeds could be called English. - Modern perfumes are loosing any kind of national character in our global world dominated by a perfume industry acting like one huge cartel tying producers, luxury brand owners, and their trading entities together.

[JickyMan]

Acqua Di Parma Colonia and Assoluta are awesome, but I'm also a huge fan of the clean and fresh Iris Nobile as well.

[Ciprian]

I believe CERUTTI-Image deserves a place here.

[PawelL]

FENDI THEOREMA UOMO, scandalously no longer in production

[Sorcery of Scent]

Calé Fragranze d'Autore - Mistero

[hednic]

My best Italian-named, French-made fragrance by a French designer of Italian descent - Vintage Ungaro III

[NYCBoy]

Uomo? Moschino

[ItalianStallion]

Acqua Di Selva has garnered some nice compliments. I often put some on after my lunchtime swim.

[Craig]

Lorenzo Villoresi
Mazzolari
Profumum Roma
Carthusia
BOIS 1920
MARCO DA VENEZIA
Nobile 1942
Profumo di Pantelleria - Most southern island of Italy.
I PROFUMI DI FIRENZE

[M.David]

Versace Man Eau Fraîche (in my limited experience)

[moon_fish]

Xerjoff

[JDE]

I believe CERUTTI-Image deserves a place here.

I wore this for years when I was younger! It's a great, and relatively underappreciated, scent. I also really like the original 1881 from Cerutti. Both are excellent for warmer months.
+1Million for AdP and i'll throw in Paco PH.

[asingleman]

LV - Spezie
Eau d'Italie - Bois d'Ombrie
Santa Maria Novella - Melograno

I'm being very brave to select just one fragrance from each house since "the best" was asked for, with some misgivings as these houses are loaded with great options for men.

[Sorcery of Scent]

Xerjoff

Ah yes! XerJoff Homme is King!

[wooznib]

Nino Cerruti

[KiatBkk]

Ungaro III

[shifts]

Would any of you include any of the Eau d'Italie fragrances on this list? I like them a lot, and several would be excellent on a man, I think.

I would.

[Paninaro]

+1 Trussardi Uomo
+1 Ungaro III

And of course -> Grigio Perla by La Perla.