# Ladies, what men's cologne drives you absolutely wild? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973 "2011-07-22T12:30:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/1 "2011-07-22T12:30:37Z")
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? 🙂 Thanks for the help. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/2 "2011-07-22T12:31:59Z")
IANAL, but I really like Cool Water. It smells awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/3 "2011-07-22T12:55:58Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > IANAL, but I really like Cool Water. It smells awesome. 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. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/4 "2011-07-22T14:58:23Z")
None. They all smell cloying to me (I don’t like perfume, either ftr). I’d much rather a guy smell faintly of soap than of _any_ cologne. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/5 "2011-07-22T15:05:58Z")
The scent of any sort of cologne on a man is actually a huge and giant turn-off for me. I’d rather just smell his soap or shampoo, like **elfkin** said. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/6 "2011-07-22T15:17:21Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/7 "2011-07-22T15:19:48Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/8 "2011-07-22T15:22:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/9 "2011-07-22T15:23:33Z")
Eternity by Calvin Klein. Panty-dropping hot! ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/10 "2011-07-22T15:24:30Z")
Scrub up with [Grandpa Brand Pine Tar Soap](http://www.grandpabrands.com/catalog1280.html)in the shower (use on hair and body), then splash on a healthy dose of [Royall Lyme Bermuda](http://royalllymebermuda.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4&zenid=ooa2gvb2l7j4obqltdlvkh2e15). You will smell like a man should. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/11 "2011-07-22T15:24:59Z")
D & G Light Blue - mmmmm liquid sex 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/12 "2011-07-22T15:40:30Z")
> [@KinkiNipponTourist](#): > > 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/13 "2011-07-22T15:43:11Z")
Another vote for Polo. LOVE IT. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/14 "2011-07-22T15:53:12Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/15 "2011-07-22T15:55:43Z")
> [@KinkiNipponTourist](#): > > 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. How odd is it that I had already mentally composed this post, nearly word-for-word?! Then Miss Kinki beats me to it! :mad: 😃 That said, Gray Flannel is pretty panty-dropping for me, too. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/16 "2011-07-22T16:01:19Z")
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. > **[Royall Lyme of Bermuda - The Essence of Bermuda | Royall Lyme of Bermuda](https://royall-bermuda.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4)** > > Discover Men's Fragrances that Capture the Essence of Bermuda. Oops, just saw someone else recommended this also. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/17 "2011-07-22T16:02:19Z")
Polo also reminds me of boys P.E. class. It’s very late 80s! ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/18 "2011-07-22T16:03:46Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > 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. Brooks Brother sells it. We have one in the local mall. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/19 "2011-07-22T16:17:07Z")
> [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](#): > > Brooks Brother sells it. We have one in the local mall. Ah, good to know. I’ve always bought it online. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973/20 "2011-07-22T16:20:04Z")
CK Escape. But just the aftershave, not the cologne. Go for subtlety. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-mens-cologne-drives-you-absolutely-wild/589973.md?page=2)