We all have those fragrances in our collection that hold precious memories, scents that really stand the test of time and that will long be loved and worn. Often these aren’t the trendiest colognes or the most seasonal, they tend to be real hearty classics, time-honored, reliable fragrances that you know will make you smell great all day long.
Here’s my long-standing favourites, all important and significant to me in their own unique way.
L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake
If L’Eau d’Issey were a tea blend, it would have remedial powers. First released in 1992 for women, L’Eau d’Issey appeared for men in 1994 and it was always a firm favourite of my fathers, thus one of the first scents I ever wore, to school of all places.
The fragrance is a fresh yet warm, woody scent accented with spicy elements. Its rather complex notes include yuzu, bergamot, verbena, nutmeg, water lily, cinnamon, tobacco, vetiver, sandalwood and musk.
When To Wear – combine this scent with a crisp Oxford button-up or linen shirt for the ultimate in freshness.
Green Irish Tweed by Creed
If you practice scented seasonality, then Green Irish Tweed might be your cold-weather staple (it’s about one jillion other guys’ preferred choice, at least). It has always been a firm fixture in my gym bag, to the point that a spritz now takes me straight back to that euphoric feeling after a tough workout or rugby game.
Green Irish Tweed is a classic Fougere fragrance and according to Creed, the scent was created by sixth-generation master perfumer Olivier Creed for a client in the film industry and years later it was offered to the public, and now is one of the signature and best selling scents of the house of Creed. The unique blend of sandalwood, ambergris, violet leaves, verbena and iris is described as a “walk through the Irish countrywide,” and is without a doubt one of my all time favourites.
When To Wear – knitwear and Green Irish Tweed go hand in hand. Wear this scent with a chunky roll neck in the winter and a lightweight merino in summer.
Homme by Joop!
Brilliantly understated and rife with citrus fragrance, Homme by Joop! is one of the most classic fragrances ever created. An ultra sweet and citrusy opening quickly gives way to a crisp heart of orange blossom, bergamot and cinnamon. Once you smell Homme, you never forget it and it instantly takes me back to my teens and first loves. That’s the power of wearing Joop’s most popular cologne: People will forever associate it with you.
When To Wear – The definition of an ‘all-rounder’, splash it on and never have to worry about overkill.
With such pedigree and stately presentation, Pour Homme from D&G really defines a legacy scent. It debuted in 1994 and minted itself as a true classic on the spot. It’s citrus-forward, with prominent neroli, bergamot, and mandarin notes and instantly takes me back to family holidays on the coastline of Spain and Italy. And it plays a long game: Pour Homme lasts all day, and it wears well in every season.
When To Wear – ideal for the office, why not spritz this on your blazer for a fresh scent that will last all day long.
