In my opinion if you like a fragrance you should wear it .

[Mayberry2]

Here is what I mean.For example when reading about fragrances I often see terms like it's an "old man scent" or it is "dated" and other descriptions trying to put a fragrance down. Who cares.

Before reading about fragrances I never even heard of those terms.Point being if you like the scent of a certain fragrance and want to wear it,you should wear it. Ignore that type of nonsense.My opinion of course and I realize some people would disagree.

[LostboyR]

I agree wholeheartedly and where whatever it is that I like.

[thrilledchilled]

yes, I have fragrances for me, not for thee, LOL.

[speckmann0706]

Agree. Compliments Are Great. Compliments Are Not Required.

[Bigsly]

My complaint in this context involves those who write reviews talking about how great a scent is, and yet it doesn't seem they often wear any one scent, and usually they just seem to be referring to top notes anyway. I've pointed this out about Luca Turin, who claims to mostly wear only two or three fragrances, from what I understand, yet how can he then review hundreds of fragrances? Sure, if you just want his opinion about what a scent smells like for a few seconds, after being sprayed on paper, that's fine, but it's certainly not much use to me! Thus, I think this should be disclosed/explained to his readers. And in the past, I also wrote about anonymous online reviewers, whom I called "niche samplers," because that's all they seemed to do, which again is fine but not all that useful for me (I need at least three regular wearings spaced out over 2 or more weeks to get a full sense of a scent). Many of them seem to have become disappointed/frustrated and then left the hobby, but they gave quite a few fragrances excellent reviews, so the obvious question (which I don't think any of them has ever answered) is, why not just enjoy those fragrances and stop sampling already?

[Mayberry2]

Let me go a little further here.
I do not believe there is even such a thing as an "old man's scent" when it comes to colognes, edts and so on.When I was a teenager for example I sometimes wore my fathers Clubman aftershave because I liked it. I got compliments.To me,I either like a cologne,perfume etc. or I don't.

[dougczar]

Here is what I mean.For example when reading about fragrances I often see terms like it's an "old man scent" or it is "dated" and other descriptions trying to put a fragrance down. Who cares.

Before reading about fragrances I never even heard of those terms.Point being if you like the scent of a certain fragrance and want wear it,you should wear it. Ignore that type of nonsense.My opinion of course and I realize some people would disagree.

I agree completely.

Let me go a little further here.
I do not believe there is even such a thing as an "old man's scent" when it comes to colognes, edts and so on.When I was a teenager for example I sometimes wore my fathers Clubman aftershave because I liked it.And I got compliments.To me a cologne etc. is either good, average or bad and that's it.I either like it or I don't.

I disagree.




Some scents smell dated to me without a doubt. Some smell more feminine, some smell more playful, some smell more natural.

However, if you smell like an old lady to some people, and you can live with that, then you certainly should wear it. It's all about why you are wearing it, and what image you are trying to put across, if any.

[Mayberry2]

I agree completely.




I disagree.




Some scents smell dated to me without a doubt. Some smell more feminine, some smell more playful, some smell more natural.

However, if you smell like an old lady to some people, and you can live with that, then you certainly should wear it. It's all about why you are wearing it, and what image you are trying to put across, if any.

A fragrance that smells feminine is a totally different thing than what I am referring to.I am talkin' about mens colognes etc.,often the older more classic ones that get labelled.

[NickZee]

Wear what you like, but certain fragrances will come with certain associations...and that’s a good thing. To say otherwise is to disempower a fragrance down to its chemical makeup. The great thing about fragrances is that they create visuals in our mind, sometimes of a Parisian evening, or a day at the beach, and sometimes of a mature man who has seen it all.

[freewheelingvagabond]

My complaint in this context involves those who write reviews talking about how great a scent is, and yet it doesn't seem they often wear any one scent, and usually they just seem to be referring to top notes anyway. I've pointed this out about Luca Turin, who claims to mostly wear only two or three fragrances, from what I understand, yet how can he then review hundreds of fragrances? Sure, if you just want his opinion about what a scent smells like for a few seconds, after being sprayed on paper, that's fine, but it's certainly not much use to me! Thus, I think this should be disclosed/explained to his readers. And in the past, I also wrote about anonymous online reviewers, whom I called "niche samplers," because that's all they seemed to do, which again is fine but not all that useful for me (I need at least three regular wearings spaced out over 2 or more weeks to get a full sense of a scent). Many of them seem to have become disappointed/frustrated and then left the hobby, but they gave quite a few fragrances excellent reviews, so the obvious question (which I don't think any of them has ever answered) is, why not just enjoy those fragrances and stop sampling already?

I think it is probably a little far fetched to suggest that Luca Turin reviews fragrances based only on top notes.

[bklow]

I am talkin' about mens colognes etc.,often the older more classic ones that get labelled.

So older men's classic scents shouldn't be called old man scents?

[hednic]

if you like the scent of a certain fragrance and want wear it,you should wear it.

Agree.

[warthog]

Before reading about fragrances I never even heard of those terms.Point being if you like the scent of a certain fragrance and want wear it,you should wear it.

Totally agree. To go a little further, maybe comments about fragrances being generic, synthetic, old mannish etc., are themselves generic and stereotypical!

[Mayberry2]

Let me just clarify the dated label. Sure some are dated but dated at least to me often is a good thing.Whether It is fragrances or other things.It is a little like old TV shows made decades ago.Many may be dated but they are great shows.In my opinion much better than what passes for television these days.

[Bigsly]

I think it is probably a little far fetched to suggest that Luca Turin reviews fragrances based only on top notes.

I'm just basing my notion on what he himself has said!

[xray]

So older men's classic scents shouldn't be called old man scents?

"Older more classic" is not the same as "older men's" classic scents. You didn't actually quote him but you still misquoted him.

[Mayberry2]

Wear what you like, but certain fragrances will come with certain associations...and that’s a good thing. To say otherwise is to disempower a fragrance down to its chemical makeup. The great thing about fragrances is that they create visuals in our mind, sometimes of a Parisian evening, or a day at the beach, and sometimes of a mature man who has seen it all.

I agree with a lot of what you mentioned. What I mean is when terms like dated are used in a negative way just to dismiss or put down what may be a very good fragrance.

[sjg3839]

Where what you like.

[Alonewithcologne]

Agreed, with a caveat. A fragrance is something you wear. Similar to clothes or watches, I wouldn't wear anything I like anywhere. I wouldn't wear a G-Shock or an animalic fragrance to the opera, an interview, or to church. Fragrance is a hobby, and often it doesn't matter what fragrance I wear, but it sometimes has a small but certain effect on style. Moderation in all things. Personal enjoyment comes first, but a little compromise at times is perhaps best.

[notspendingamillion]

I agree that someone should wear whatever they want. I believe the world has swung too PC, and we are scared to offend anyone, do anything wrong. It is a litigious world that many corporations and entities live their whole lives with a main goal to avoid conflict and lawsuits. I find some scents I wear tend to choke people out around me when in a confined area. If this happens I try to go easier on the trigger next time, even though that is not solely for my enjoyment, nor for the sake of clutching my pearls to cause any offense. I think it is just a courteous thing.

Now, I don't believe thinking that a scent has a certain connotation attached to it has anything to do with this at all. I think Polo smells like an old man scent 100%. I also think it smells fantastic and would have no issue wearing it if I owned it. Today I'm wearing GGA with musk aftershave and my wife told me I smell like an old man. This did not diminish my enjoyment at all, nor did it make me rethink my choice, but to deny the presence or validity of such allusions to me seems silly. If I see a man in a ball gown I can think he wearing women's clothing. If I see a young man in old mans clothing I can identify it. If he is comfortable in his style, and is using it to truly express himself he should not really have an issue with others noticing the incongruity. It should be a part of him. I can think I look stupid in baby blue shirts, and not judge someone else for liking them. I look dumb in goth clothes because that does not reflect who I am as a person.

[Trauerkraut]

Wrong forum: you should be here: http://www.basenotes.net/forums/24-Just-Starting-Out

[parker25mv]

when reading about fragrances I often see terms like it's an "old man scent" or it is "dated" and other descriptions trying to put a fragrance down. Who cares.

I care. When they say "old man scent", it's usually very soapy like a barber shop smell, or has leather, two of the things I detest.

[CordonBeige]

I'd rather smell older than smell younger. I really have respect for cool older guys in the sense that fragrance can be an extension of one's life experience rather than the tacked on accessory. Growing up, if someone smelled good it was usually the nearest old guy.

[Finnster]

A fragrance that smells feminine is a totally different thing than what I am referring to.I am talkin' about mens colognes etc.,often the older more classic ones that get labelled.

wow... hypocrite much?

“stop worrying about what others think and just wear what you like. unless you smell like a GIRL!!!”

[MisterGrain]

I like smelling mature or "old man;" the same way I tend to behave.

[Diamondflame]

I like a fragrance. I may choose to wear it or I may not. It depends alot on the context /social activity/environment. If a guy wears a loud potentially offensive civet bomb to a closed door meeting, either

a) he is socially inept, or
b) he is the big bad boss

Be choosy with what you wear unless you happen to be alone or lead a hermit’s life.

[AnthonyG]

Wrong forum: you should be here: http://www.basenotes.net/forums/24-Just-Starting-Out

No kidding.

[Ken_Russell]

Several, often quite numerous fragrances deemed as apparently dated and/or old fashioned can have subtleties and complexities almost nonexistent/impossible in more modern, trendy, hip etc. perfumery and in fact not smell dated at all

[Nastka]

I dislike the term 'old man's scent', because everyone may have a different definition of what it is. Also, it does seem to tar older gents with the same brush, when the reality might be a bit different. The same goes for the terms 'old people scent' or 'grandma smell'. I find it a bit derogatory, to be honest.

When it comes to say that a scent is 'dated', this is a bit different. To me, the word isn't negative. It suggests that a scent bear the hallmarks of a certain era, which is not a bad thing. Classic cars look dated, yet have lots of charm, and you can fairly easily tell which decade they're from, for example.

But I agree with OP in general. Wear what you like. Of course you have to take your environment into account, but thankfully, it's easy to just apply less fragrance.

[MattJP]

I agree...wear what you want, how you want. For yourself.