The Best Men’s Designer Fragrances No One is Wearing

What are the best recent men’s designer fragrances that no one is wearing?

And what recently discontinued releases deserved a better fate?

[Unisex/women’s fragrances that men can pull off are fair game too]

This thread asks whether designer fragrances have been made obsolete by the proliferation of niche and indie houses. I think the general consensus is no, although it’s easy to feel pessimistic about the state of the fragrance market. Many designer scents released today are minor variations on established market successes (Sauvage, Aventus, etc.). But hasn’t that always been true to some extent? If designer houses release high quality, unique fragrances that no one buys, can we fault them when they play it safe?

So what recent men’s designer releases, say from the last 20 years, should men be reaching for instead of the latest blue juices from Chanel, Dior, and YSL? Here are a few that have been suggested so far:

• Brunello Cucinelli Pour Homme
• Cartier L’Envol (RIP)
• Dior Homme Original
• Hermes H24
• Hermes Eau Givree
• Moschino Toy Boy

Reply with your favorites. If more people opt for fragrances like these, they’ll be more likely to stick around, and brands will be more inclined to put out creative pillar releases.

Dior Eau Sauvage Parfum 2017

The 2012 version gets more enthusiast love but the 2017 one is a great designer and readily available.

Burberry Hero Parfum. A powerhouse and smells fantastic. Don't sleep on this one!

Difficult to say, since someone's unworn ones can still be in the (more or less) heavy rotations of others.

Even so-apart from Basenotes-and even here with certain limitations (quite objectively justified as well, mostly by shipping/logistics, little to no marketing rather than price point alone) having a certain impression that Lalique PH (especially if as EDP) but also the lesser knwon Encre Noir flankers like Sport, Esencia Loewe, almost any masculine/unisex Cartier beyond l'Envol alone, Versace l'Homme (even reformulated), Kenzo Power and also Homme Boisee, Bvlgari Extreme.
Even though these are awesome, as much as not very common-while mostly affordable too.

John Varvatos - Dark Rebel (and Rider)
John Varvatos - Vintage
Carolina Herrera - CH Men (slept on nowadays. Most likely because of all the S.O.I.F.S hysteria)
Azzaro - L’Eau
Bottega Veneta - Pour Homme
Comme des Garcons - Black
YSL - L’homme intense
Gucci - Guilty Absolute
Prada - ”Amber”

To name a few. And for some discontinued that deserved more love:

Dsquared2 - Potion
Giorgio Armani - Armani Mania
Versace - Man
Nina Ricci - Ricci Club
Oscar de la Renta - Gentleman

ElDudeerino said:

Most likely because of all the S.O.I.F.S hysteria

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?

Scentologist said:

Burberry Hero Parfum. A powerhouse and smells fantastic. Don't sleep on this one!

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Agree.

I love Moschino toy boy, but alas I don't think it was destined to be a major mainstream success.

if we go 10 years back, I nominate l'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme EDP.

Dior Homme Sport 2017

Does it need to be marketed to men? I'd say these seem to be slept on -

Un Jardin Sur Le Toit
Infusion d'Iris Cedre
Mugler Cologne Come Together (maybe the fans still buy it, just note mentioned as often)
Pasha Parfum
Costa Azzurra Parfum
Givenchy Gentleman EdP

freewheelingvagabond said:

Does it need to be marketed to men? I'd say these seem to be slept on

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No, not at all! Any fragrance that you'd feel comfortable wearing is fair game. I happily wear stuff like SJP Lovely, Cabochard, Aromatics Elixir, etc. In another thread, @cheapimitation highlighted Tiffany & Co which may also be marketed as unisex. I'm a big fan of Mugler Cologne, happy to see L'Oreal bring it back. And the Jardin line from Hermes is wonderful too. I like the crisp acidity of the orchard fruit accord in Toit. Thanks for your post~

Armani Code A-List is under appreciated and smells great. Discontinued but still available for reasonable prices.

My favourite designer fragrance that is still in production and gets no love is Prada Mirages Babylon. Basically just sandalwood and amber. One of the best fragrances I own.

Prada L'homme.

And a +1 for Varvatos Vintage.

By the way - I love this question. Your question is basically what I asked when I was starting my fragrance journey back in 2012 (not that you're just starting out. I just mean, your question reminded me of this).

I went to Sephora and asked the SA something along the lines of "What AREN'T men buying that they really should be?" She said something like "Oh my god, THIS!" Then she sprayed Gucci Pour Homme II on a card and handed me the bottle. I thought it was nice, so I sprayed my arm before leaving the store. I got maybe a block away before I turned around to go back and get a sample. I bought a bottle the next day, and bought a backup shortly after.

If Gucci Pour Homme II was still in stores, I'd be recommending it too. It's excellent, and it's unique.

PStoller said:

?

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Shadow of its former self.

I got nothin' here. I am a pretty much a creation of Basenotes. Most of the designer stuff I wear is well known and oft worn by Basenoters.

Some of my forays into obscure designer stuff ends pretty poorly for me. eg Facconable EdT For Men. A couple of hours into the second wearing, I knew why it was $20 on Amazon.

I might have thought Platinum Egoiste until someone recently posted stats that it is in the Top Ten or so most worn by Basenoters which surprised me.

ElDudeerino said:

Shadow of its former self.

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Ah, OK. Was this an acronym before yesterday?

PStoller said:

Ah, OK. Was this an acronym before yesterday?

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INSIUAAABY

(I never saw it used as an acronym before yesterday)