What Hermes are you still wearing?

[cheapimitation]

I noticed Hermes isn't often discussed these days, maybe because they keep a rather quiet profile and don't pump out new releases that frequently, but just curious who is still wearing and enjoying Hermes and what are you favorites from the line?

I know some Hermessence had their moment of hype like Ambre Narguile and Vetiver Tonka, and of course there's the perennial favorite Terre.

I had tried some like Cuir d'ange, Terre, Eau d'orange Verte over the years but never felt compelled to more thoroughly explore the line until recently. Now I've really fallen for the Hermessence collection. I love Ellena's ability to make a relatively simple formula incredibly interesting and unique through the juxtaposition of ingredients. I like how they are fairly linear and don't try to do too much, but his ability to pick unexpected combinations that play off each other creates a composition that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

In particular I am really loving Rose Ikebana, Vetiver Tonka and the Nagel release Agar Ebene. I also find the cologne series quite attractive like Eau de Mandarine Ambree and Eau de Neroli Dore. I think more than anything what I love is the modernity of the line.

I am also really interested in trying a couple of the older ones like Rocabar and Hiris which sound wonderful but I haven't gotten my nose on yet.

[thrilledchilled]

The ones I enjoy are Eau d'Hermes in vintage, and Bel Ami in vintage, and I enjoy Equipage in vintage, and the current version of Equipage Geranium. I haven't tried any ot the others.

[Oviatt]

I have and wear Equipage and Bel Ami (both vintage), L'Eau d'Orange Verte and Poivre Samarcande. I may have others but these are the ones that get worn.

[cacio]

I think there is still talk about Hermes perfumes. Among recent ones, I quite like Galop. Hiris and Rocabar are actually two I don't like much myself personally. Rocabar feels too modern sporty for my tastes, and Hiris feel meh. But there are many more that are worth exploring.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Bel Ami, although slightly neglected recently. Very satisfying when I wear it though.

[Kaern]

I have an old bottle of CdOV knocking about somewhere and that's it. I gave up with this House after the terrible Eau de Citron Noir a couple years back.

I actually find the Hermessence range disappointing overall apart from Santal Massoia and Vetiver Tonka which I have owned. Imo very few are worth the money asked for.

As far as their fragrances go in general, apart from some glorious oldies, I think Hermes lack a certain something, both in creativity and certainly in strength.

[Cook.bot]

I think the reason chatter about them has died down is because while JC Ellena was the house nose, he created so much discussion because his style was so radical. Without him, their image as traditionalists has again been restored.

Eau d'Hermes is always in constant contention for my #1 slot, plus I enjoy Hiris, Bel Ami, Voyage, Caleche, etc etc.

[GoldWineMemories]

Eau d'Hermes I feel is a great classic composition that's classy. Cuir d'Ange is nice, but it feels more like an experiment than a finished perfume. It exactly on when it comes to a modern leather smell, but that's all it is. It's a bit different in texture, but at the same time I don't want to walk around smelling like a Frye store. Other than that the Hermessence line is nice, but hardly anything that anyone needs. I think the line is a solid 3.5/5. Eau d'orange Vert is another nice one.

[Wingie]

I bought a 15ml bottle of Vanille Galante this past spring. The lasting power is outstanding, I easily get all day wear from it. I also have a smaller bottle of Osmanthe Yunnan but don't reach for it very often.

I really like some of the fragrances Christine Nagel has done for other houses, like Archives 69, but so far nothing she has made for Hermes has tempted me to purchase.

[rum]

I noticed Hermes isn't often discussed these days, maybe because they keep a rather quiet profile and don't pump out new releases that frequently

Regarding Hermes keeping a "low profile", it's worth noting that Hermes (and some other comparable brands) are more conservative than most. They don't follow the latest trends; neither do they come out with a new fragrance and accompanying flanker every few months. For example, ever seen Hermes put out a new oud fragrance every year? (Yes, they have one in the Hermessence collection but they released that donkeys years after everyone else did).

I personally found the Hermessence collection most underwhelming - there were a couple that caught my attention but none that I was keen to own. They do have some true gems in their regular collections. Bel Ami and Terre d'Hermes (Parfum) are two of my all time favourites that I could never see myself without. Terre is a legendary J-C Ellena creation, with Bel Ami being an absolute 80s classic. I would class both as being in the all-time fragrance Hall of Fame.

But there are plenty more to discover. Regular Equipage has its fans for example and JCE has updated these by giving them a modern twist. Equipage Geranium and Bel Ami Vetiver are both BN favourites - they have quite a following on here. Whilst I don't personally like these, I do hold them in high regard given what JCE has done to them.

Alas, the brand may change direction under their new in-house perfumer, so who knows where things will go.

[ThVH]

Of the entire house, I have only smelled TdH Parfum, which I found underwhelming, even a little nauseating (current formulation). Phantastic opening, though.
Still, I‘m very interested in their classics, like Eau d‘Hermes, Bel Ami, and Equipage and would love to try them.

[ClockworkAlice]

I like Hermes fragrances. I do not own any Hermes fragrances, but I do love Mandarine Ambree and Pamplemousse Rose and I'd love to get my hands on them someday.

I do like Twilly Poivree a lot, and also do like Twilly, Citron Noir and Merveilles series and Terre series quite a bit, and enjoy some of the Jardins series, too. I don't care for Jour de Hermes at all though and was a bit disappointed with the new Ombre des Merveilles - or maybe I expected to love it too much.

They're not that cheap even on discounters though and are rarely discounted in official stores in my area and that prohibits them from being an impulsive purchase at least for me. As for planned purchases, there were ones that were higher on my wishlist the past year.

I do have samples of Twilly and Concentre de Pamplemousse Rose but I'm kind of rationing them.

[du57in]

Love the house. Wearing TdH today (the original EDT) and enjoying it very much. Perhaps tomorrow I will wear Vetiver Tonka.

Hermes as a brand reminds me of Chanel in a lot of ways. Both are in it for the long haul and their fragrance releases reflect that.

[piney]

What a wonderful house with lots of great offerings, I still wear and enjoy most from the Hermessence line with Cuir d'Ange & Vetiver Tonka being my absolute favorites. Terre d'Hermes parfum is still wonderful as a 4-season fragrance also. You just can't go wrong here guys!

[Trilby Lark]

I wear a couple of their department store offerings: Terre d'Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver and Twilly d'Hermes Eau Poivree. I like them but kind of wish I had the pillars instead of the flankers.

[Juxtapozbliss]

I haven't strayed much from the mainstays, but I'm a fan of Bel Ami and Vetiver Tonka.

[Fwilko]

I wear TDH parfum a lot in the early spring

Voyage is a funny one in that I never feel like wearing it, but when I do I usually think "this is better than how I remembered it". In summer its a nice switch from the citrus based stuff I usually use in the high heat

[Scents And Sense]

Love the house, though I don't own any from them. I love their classic fragrances as well as their recent releases by Christine Nagel.

[hednic]

I'm wearing all that I currently own which are all the masculine and unisex releases from the regular line + all the Hermessence releases.

[Starblind]

1. Eau d‘Hermes
2. Eau d‘Hermes
3. Eau d‘Hermes

[JON RODGERS]

Bel Ami.
Hiris.
Terre D'Hermes Parfum
Un Jardin En Mediterrannee.
Un Jardin Sur Le Nil.

[freewheelingvagabond]

Interesting thread. They aren't discussed as much due to several reasons -


1. No trendy fresh woody-amber aimed at men.
2. Not as much prolific as other brands (a good thing in my book).
3. Hermessence - I think these fall short of people's expectations because they aren't generally powerful, bombastic perfumes.


Hermes is all about understated elegance, and their perfumes reflect that. I agree that I've found Nagel's works to be a bit underwhelming so far except Galop and Twilly. Note that not discussed as much doesn't mean they don't sale well, or that they are not well-reviewed.

Actually I had personally ignored the brand and its perfumes for many years (till about 2018), simply because I was into heavier, darker and stronger perfumes. Now I think Hermes makes some of the most refined and interesting perfumes.

I tremendously like Bel Ami Vetiver, Equipage Geranium and Epice Marine. Bel Ami Vetiver is a cool smooth vetiver-leather, with all the sharp spices in Bel Ami dialed down. Equipage Geranium is one of the best masculine releases of the last ten years in my books, a wonderful modern aromatic composition with a subtle sandalwood dry-down. Epice Marine takes cue from Eau d'Hermes and Declaration but is a refinement of that theme, and one of the best fresh-spicy perfumes around.

I have Terre d'Hermes Eau Tres Fraiche, which, I'd argue, is a superior fresh scent to other alternatives such as Dior Homme Sport / Cologne or the sporty ones from Chanel. The earlier releases in the Les Jardin line are generally good, with Sur Le Nil being my favourite. I have worn Vetiver Tonka a lot, a delightful fresh-sweet scent which is a great alternative to vanillas and darker perfumes in cool/cold weather. Ambre Narguile is a very distinctive and legitimate amber-tobacco-gourmand; and I'd be getting a bottle of Cuir d'Ange sooner rather than later.

I agree that they all smell very contemporary, and are all elegant, diffusive perfumes. One has to remember that we live in an age of instant gratification where we hear most the loudest and most frequent voices. Most of the Hermes perfumes are not top note wonders or ones, but need to be worn at least a few times, and are eventually more rewarding as they do not fail to sustain interest.

[cheapimitation]

I think you misunderstood me, I said "discussed" not "discounted". I don't really care whether it is discounted or not, unless your point is that it isn't discussed as much because it isn't found discounted as often as others...

Also what you said about keeping a low profile is exactly what I meant by it and it is one of the things I appreciate about the house. I like the understated elegance of their releases and the lack of following trends.

Surely whether a brand is discounted will depend on many factors: where you are based, the specific store in question, the season and so on. There is a at least one online retailer here in the UK that has Hermes fragrances on special offer right now. It's a not a huge discount, but notable and it goes to show...

As for them keeping a "low profile", I think you may be forgetting that Hermes (and some other comparable brands) are more conservative than most. They don't follow the latest trends; neither do they come out with a new fragrance and accompanying flanker every few months. For example, ever seen Hermes put out a new oud fragrance every year? (Yes, they have one in the Hermessence collection but they released that donkeys years after everyone else did).

I personally found the Hermessence collection most underwhelming - there were a couple that caught my attention but none that I was keen to own. They do have some true gems in their regular collections. Bel Ami and Terre d'Hermes (Parfum) are two of my all time favourites that I could never see myself without. Terre is a legendary J-C Ellena creation, with Bel Ami being an absolute 80s classic. I would class both as being in the all-time fragrance Hall of Fame.

But there are plenty more to discover. Regular Equipage has its fans for example and JCE has updated these by giving them a modern twist. Equipage Geranium and Bel Ami Vetiver are both BN favourites - they have quite a following on here. Whilst I don't personally like these, I do hold them in high regard given what JCE has done to them.

Alas, the brand may change direction under their new in-house perfumer, so who knows where things will go.

[Kotori]

My favorites from Hermès are Galop, Ambre Narguile, Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, and Eau de Neroli Dore.

[cheapimitation]

Interesting that some of the most loved on here are the old school ones. I'm generally not a fan of vintage or old school fragrances so they are the last ones I have yet to try. Definitely want to get my nose on Equipage, Eau d'Hermes, Rocabar, and Hiris.

As far as Nagel, I think she has done a great job at least based on testing two of her Hermessence releases Agar Ebene and Cedre Sambac. Both have a distinctly different style from Ellena, less transparent, more warm and enveloping while still remaining understated. I tried out Twilly but absolutely hated it haha, it is stronggggg and something in there I really don't like, but otherwise it seems to be a pretty popular release. It is true though that she doesn't have quite the cult following Ellena does, but I'm interested to see how the line develops under her directorship.

Agar Ebene might be my favorite of the whole Hermessence line, yes it relies a touch on trendy fake oud that is so popular right now, but it is so smooth and warm and has a prominent leather note which is divine. I agree with what GoldWineMemories says about Cuir d'ange, it is more a stunningly realistic representation of a smell than a composition I want to wear. Agar Eben hits that spot for me having a luxurious smooth leather note that isn't the only thing going on.

[Cook.bot]

Hermes as a brand reminds me of Chanel in a lot of ways. Both are in it for the long haul and their fragrance releases reflect that.

They are the only two classic houses holding out against corporatization.

[sjg3839]

Bel Ami and Vetiver Bel Ami Vetiver.

[Andrewthecologneguy]

TdH
Bel Ami
Rocabar
Concentrate d'Orange vert

[LinePlaneVolume]

I have and wear

Recent bottles:
Bel Ami Vetiver
Equipage
Equipage Geranium

Vintage:
Rocabar
Bel Ami (decant)

Bel Ami Vetiver was an instant love. The others have grown on me over time. I've come to appreciate the house quite a lot, but I do seem fixed on the older DNA.

I also have a bottle of Eau des Merveilles Bleue, but the marine note isn't doing it for me yet. What the hell... I'll put some on right now.

[incense+heliotrope]

Hermes is one of the most-represented houses in my fragrance wardrobe : classic, understated, wearable

Equipage is one of my very favourite scents.
Equipage Geranium I prefer in warmer weather.
Bel Ami.
Bel Ami Vetiver is good too, though I don't feel the need for a FB.
Hiris - changed my mind on this one; used to think it smelt like wet cardboard, but I rather enjoy it these days.

Rocabar : bit too much of everything in this, I don't get what it's trying to be
Terre d'Hermes EDT : still getting to know this one; meantime there are other vetivers I prefer