Black Jeans
Versace (1997)

Versace Black Jeans (1997) is definitely a bit under the radar relative to the more popular, much easier to find, and earlier release Blue Jeans (1994), but nonetheless an interesting fresh spicy aromatic versatile designer men's release. It features notes of lemon, lavender, ginger, geranium, nutmeg, vetiver, and cedar to my nose, though the note listing is fittingly long enough to give it a very blended effect. Most notes don't stand out all that much.

To that point, while Blue Jeans nearly epitomizes the 90s aromatic, Black Jeans actually seems to be the more versatile option, fitting in somehow with 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s trends in men's signature scents, sort of midway in terms of spiciness/freshness between Chanel Antaeus and YSL Rive Gauche. On my skin, it really smells like an amalgam of both, of a sort of barbershop-meets-spice-while-still-being-fresh option, and one I'd certainly recommend that people try if they get a chance. However, Chanel Antaeus is still in production and Rive Gauche might come cheaper, even in its earlier can release, so maybe Black Jeans isn't the best option, but it feels part of the same family, regardless.

It's still quite great, and worth checking out, a nice versatile option that harkens back to earlier decades while still feeling relevant, useful, and altogether lovely.

8 out of 10

A comfortable casual and slightly spicy fougère fragrance. Nothing groudbreaking, I think there's some green notes in it and a hint of sweetness to round it all. Along with Metal Jeans, the best in jeans series.

Good barbershop fougere of the "nugere" type. Not much longevity. Rive Gauche or Sartorial do it better in my opinion.

I bought the lack jeans and blue jeans on the same day (summer of 2001)... unforunately there was no sample for either so I had to trust the brand of VERSACE.

A slightly green, subtly woody scent which is too ordinary for me personally and does nothing for me ...
Glad it was discontinued but upset that I did not keep its nice bottle (I have since started an empty bottle collection of men's perfumes ...)

Innoffensive, ordinary, unexciting
Moderate sillage, 2-3 hour longevity for me
2/10

Very nice, spicy and woodsy scent! It is rife with juniper and vetiver, dancing around with the flower notes in a graceful way without being feminine by any stretch. Dark, different, and probably not for everyone.

VBJ is a very interesting fragrance. The official notes listed really don't add up IMHO. I detect anise at first blast and Birch tar on the drydown and not much else. There may be patchouli too. Geranium? Nutmeg? Ginger? Don't think so. That said, the anise and birch tar combine wonderfully to remind me of the mighty YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme. Not a copy per se but more of a flanker.

7.5/10