Fragrance guide
There is no single best cologne, but there are fragrances that almost never fail: they suit most situations, most seasons and most people. Those are the ones worth owning first.
This list covers the most versatile men’s colognes in our catalog, from fresh everyday scents to warmer ones for the evening.
How we picked. We took the men’s fragrances in our catalog and ranked them by how many occasions and seasons they cover and by how long they last. Prices are typical US retail prices and may differ at checkout.
Chanel
$155 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Men · Woody
A woody aromatic of quiet elegance. Sparkling citrus settles onto incense and creamy sandalwood: the navy suit of perfumery.
Dior
$120 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Fougère
Raw, magnetic freshness. Calabrian bergamot meets the mineral warmth of Ambroxan in a versatile, powerful scent you recognize instantly.
Hermès
$125 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Woody
Earth, mineral and bitter orange. A walk between the vegetal and the mineral, sober and deeply elegant.
Yves Saint Laurent
$125 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Men · Fougère
Fresh apple, sage and ambery woods. A modern, versatile fougère with a much-praised trail.
Versace
$85 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Aromatic
Aquatic citrus and mineral incense in a deep blue bottle. Fresh, powerful and very versatile.
Valentino
$115 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Woody
Salty violet leaf, ginger and smoky vetiver. Italian elegance with a modern edge.
Guy Laroche
$40 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Fougère
Sharp lavender and herbs over dark moss and leather. The barbershop scent that defined the eighties and still works today.
Azzaro
$52 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Fougère
Anise and lavender over a warm base of leather, moss and amber. A Mediterranean classic with charm and confidence.
Dior
$125 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Leather
Violet leaf and leather with an almost gasoline-like accord. An unclassifiable classic, bold and full of character.
Hugo Boss
$90 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Woody
Apple, cinnamon and vanilla over warm woods. The office fragrance par excellence since 1998.
Answer 7 quick questions about the person and the occasion, and we will match the fragrances that fit best.
Take the quizFresh, woody and aromatic fragrances with moderate projection are the most versatile: they work at the office, on a date and at the weekend. The first picks on this list are the ones that cover the most occasions.
Two are enough for most people: a fresh one for daytime and warm weather, and a warmer one for evenings and cold months.
Eau de Parfum is more concentrated and usually lasts longer. Eau de Toilette is lighter and often better for daytime and for hot weather.
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