Men

How to pick a men's fragrance to try

Start with the family you already gravitate toward, then pick one scent that pushes a step further.

• Fresh and aquatic, for summer and the gym: Polo Blue Ralph Lauren (cucumber, melon, basil and suede) or Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Eau de Parfum (sea notes, green mandarin, clary sage, mineral notes and vetiver).
• Citrus and herbs, for the office: Dior Eau Sauvage Extreme, a 1984 citrus aromatic with lemon, lavender, basil and rosemary over oakmoss and cedar, or Paco Rabanne Paco, a 1995 citrus aromatic shared with women.
• Spiced and warm, for fall evenings: Burberry London for Men (cinnamon, lavender, leather, tobacco leaf, opoponax) or Armaf Club de Nuit Man (mandarin and mint over cinnamon, cloves, ginger, amber and leather).
• Leather and oud, for cold nights: Carner Barcelona Cuirs, a 2011 leather with saffron, caraway, sandalwood, oud and labdanum, or Apex Roja Dove, a 2022 leather with rum, tobacco and oakmoss.
• Amber and resin, for people who dislike sugary scents: Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan, with amber and benzoin cut by oregano, bay leaf and myrtle.

Season and occasion at a glance

Heat calls for citrus, aquatic and green scents; cold weather rewards amber, tobacco, leather and vanilla. For work, choose clean and moderate; for evenings, go warmer and spicier. If you don't know your family yet, order two contrasting decants, one fresh and one warm, and wear each for a full day.

Questions about Men