Some close friends and I are going for a guys’ night out tomorrow. We’ll be putting on our suits, going to a really nice steakhouse in DC, then hitting some clubs.
For years, I’ve been using Old Spice body spray, but for tomorrow, I want to put on something a little more… mature. I used to wear Polo, but I myself actually got pretty sick of the scent after a while.
So what brand personally do you personally love a man wearing?
Also, do you think men should use the method of spraying the air, then walking through the mist?
I should also mention that I am indeed in a relationship, and not looking to sleep with anyone tomorrow night other than my girlfriend. However, I do think the right scent garners attention and a bit of respect, and who better to ask how a man should smell than a woman?
I also like the smell of Cool Water. What I don’t like is the raging headache and sniffling and sneezing and watery eyes it gives me.
My vote, if you’re going with the suits and steakhouse scene: Gray Flannel. I love it. And whether you spray and walk through, or apply by a different method, don’t marinate in it. Like makeup, subtle is sexy. Too much is horrible.
I can tell you what not: Polo. My SO wanted me to get him that as a present. HAH! I gave him something else (which he did like). That’s a turn off. Also, I’m sorry, but if you smell like my dad (Roger & Gallet Extra-Vieille), that’s also bad.
Another vote for none. The only time it “garners a bit of attention” in a positive way is in commercials. Nowadays, the only guys who seem to wear scent are the very old and teens, or the noticeably clueless.
If you feel you must wear something, make it just the slightest amount, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, don’t apply until AFTER you leave the restaurant. I can’t tell you how many meals I’ve had ruined by men as well as women smelling like cologne. Once by the actual waiter.
Polo. I never wear perfume myself, and everything else puts me off my lunch, but Polo…I think it was implanted back in college, and to this day I’ll follow strange men wearing it, huffing for all I’m worth.
This is what my wife says.
I dont’ suppose you can get these two things by tomorrow night as they’re produced by relatively small independent companies that aren’t readily available at your average mall store. But stock up for future nights out.
OTOH, I will run screaming from the scent of Polo, since it gives me PTSD flashbacks to high school.
And another vote for none. A man should smell of soap and whatever he naturally smells like, with points awarded for whiskey and cigarettes. Above all, he should smell faintly of all these things. If I’m getting anything off of you from more than eight inches away, then I’m getting far enough away to not smell anything.
Surprised at all of the Polo fans! The scent of Polo reminds me of the boys’ locker room in 7th grade, which would have been 'way back in 1987!
I don’t wear any scent but soap (looks like I’m doing the right thing), but when I did I followed the advice I learned by watching ‘Queer Eye For the Straight Guy’, which is basically the mist-the air-technique: Spray, delay, and walk away.
Consider Royall Lime from Brooks Brothers. It’s an all purpose lotion, but it looks like cologne. You can use it as aftershave or just rub a little on your arms, chest, etc. It smells like limes and is a nice, clean masculine scent. It’s not overpowering at all and people seem to love it. If you are into the “Mad Men” style, you’ll especially like this.
Oops, just saw someone else recommended this also.
