Do you get a buzz from wearing designer brands? Are you on the hunt for a scent to help you make a memorable first impression? Designer brands are big businesses. It’s no wonder many leading big names are branching out to create industry-leading men’s colognes.
A designer suit may be too high a price to pay at around $6000. Yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a taste of luxury by splashing on one of your favorite designer’s best-smelling scents
I won’t even head out to the store without first applying a liberal spritz of scent or basking in a cloud of cologne. The best designer colognes for men are an unseen fashion accessory.
For me, wearing cologne is all about the feel-good factor and being the best version of myself. No one puts this into words better than Tom Ford when he said, “good manners and good cologne is what transforms the man into a gentleman.”
Key Takeaways
If you’re a high-achieving guy comfortable in his own skin, you can’t go far wrong by choosing Narcisco Rodriguez Bleu Noir. It’s a sharp, seductive, yet timeless scent that oozes sophistication and confidence.
If less is more and your star is on the rise, check out the lesser-known but Best Up and Coming designer cologne, Loewe 001.
Our Top Picks
Always wanted to be “that guy”? The one who looks good, smells good, and seems to have it all together? The first step is to select the best designer cologne that embodies the vibe you want to portray to the world.
Narcisco Rodriguez Bleu Noir has sharp elements of fresh green spices but also warmer, deeper woods and light powdery musk. Overall, the composition is elegant, confident, and masculine. Imagine if Terre D’Hermes had a younger, more stylish brother. That’s Bleu Noir.
Scoring top mark for wearability, Bleu Noir can take you from day to night and transitions seamlessly from spring to fall and winter. Bleu Noir is understatedly confident. It works best on self-assured guys who don’t want a fragrance that enters a room before them.
Top Notes: Cardamom, nutmeg | Middle Notes: Musk | Base notes: Vetiver, ebony wood, cedar, amber| Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring, fall, winter
It’s time to bust the myth that you can’t bag a great fragrance without splashing the cash. One timeless classic that has weathered the trends and is still going strong is Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio.
This fresh fragrance has topped best designer cologne charts since its debut in 1996. Inspired by wind, water, and the salty-sweet notes of the ocean, Acqua di Gio is an uplifting aromatic scent. The zesty citrus opening, powdery musk, and subtle wood notes are ultra-easy to wear. Acqua di Gio is set to become your new summer staple.
Not every cologne in your rotation has to be a bold showstopper. We all need that one casual go-to scent to spritz when we want to smell appealing and approachable. An uber-versatile fragrance for less than $50? It’s a no-brainer.
Top Notes: Lime, bergamot, lemon, jasmine, mandarin, orange, neroli | Middle Notes: Sea notes, jasmine, peach, freesia, rosemary, hyacinth, coriander, violet, nutmeg, rose | Base notes: White musk, cedar, oakmoss, patchouli, amber | Size: 1.7oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring, summer
If you’re on the hunt for a new perfume that’ll turn heads and establish you as a serious trendsetter, check out Dolce & Gabbana K for Men.
K is a cologne for edgy guys willing to be adventurous with their fragrance. Daring notes of pimento pepper, blood orange, and fig nectar transform this aromatic woody scent into something unique and noteworthy. Despite its unusual notes, K for men is a well-rounded and versatile cologne that fairs well in spring, summer, and fall temperatures.
Longevity is an impressive 8-9 hours on my skin, which helps boost its value for money rating. Remember, the fewer top-ups you need, the longer your bottle will last. The packaging isn’t too shabby, either. With its heavyweight crown cap, it deserves an upfront position in your cologne display.
Top Notes: Blood orange, lemon, juniper berries, cardamom, pimento | Middle Notes: Fig nectar, geranium, lavender, clary sage | Base notes: Cedar, vetiver, patchouli, cypriol| Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Spring, summer, fall
For some guys, the only downside of popular or well-known colognes is that they can be easily recognizable. What if I said you could have the best of both worlds? A quality designer cologne from a brand that’s a rising star but not yet universally known.
Loewe is that brand, and 001 Man is their trademark scent. Although established in 1846, Spanish brand Loewe didn’t rise to its current popularity until the last decade. Only now are fashion-forward fragrance connoisseurs turning their noses to their cologne range.
If you love sandalwood fragrances, then you’re going to want to bathe in 001. It’s modern, creamy, musky, and woody, with touches of spicy cardamom and bright bergamot. Since picking up my own bottle during a trip to Barcelona, I’ve worn it almost every day. If you saw the size and content of my fragrance library, you’d know what a great endorsement that is.
Top Notes: Cardamom, bergamot, mandarin | Middle Notes: Ambrette, cedar, sandalwood, cypress, carrot seeds, vetiver | Base notes: Violet, white musk, patchouli | Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring, fall, winter
Is your vast cologne collection missing an everyday hero? Bulgari Pour Homme meets the mark when it comes to a signature scent you can spritz on the daily.
Bulgari Pour Homme is a polished, gentle fragrance that will have your back at the office. The list of notes is a mile long. But the overall vibe is fresh and aromatic, with hints of green tea, citrus, spices, wood, and musk. Pour Homme is a safe and sophisticated scent that won’t offend sensitive noses.
Musk colognes are a perfect pick for everyday wear. They smell crisp, clean, and classy giving the impression you just stepped out the shower. Wear time is a respectable 5-6 hours. Although you may want to stash your bottle in your briefcase for top-ups if you’re pulling a late shift.
Top Notes: Tea, bergamot, aldehydes, lavender, orange blossom, nutmeg, mandarin | Middle Notes: Pepper, iris, guaiac wood, rosewood, cardamom, coriander, geranium, carnation | Base notes: Musk, vetiver, amber, cedar, oakmoss, tonka bean | Size: 1.7oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring, summer, fall
Valentino Uomo is here to prove that colognes from designers needn’t always be so serious. If you’re down to have fun with your fragrance, look no further.
Hazelnut, chocolate, and roasted coffee beans may sound like something you’d expect to see in a Starbucks cup, but here, they form the heart of this gourmand cologne. It may not seem like a winning fragrance formula, but an aromatic opening and rich leathery-wood base elevate the blend.
In my experience, Valentino Uomo is a compliment grabber. There’s just something about those mouthwatering, edible notes that seems to cement this in the “fragrances women love” category. A unique and youthful cologne, Valentino Uomo will become your new wingman for special dates.
Top Notes: Bergamot, myrtle | Middle Notes: Hazelnut, chocolate, coffee beans | Base notes: Leather, cedar | Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Fall, winter
This list would be nowhere without mentioning mega menswear giant Tom Ford. When most of us think of Tom Ford fragrance, rugged, heavy notes of leather and tobacco, come to mind (we’re talking about you, Tobacco Vanille). But Tom Ford is no one-trick pony.
Neroli Portofino is as bright and refreshing as Tobacco Vanille is dark and heavy. Opening with a symphony of citrus blended with white florals, botanicals, amber, and musk, Neroli Portofino perfectly captures the irresistible smell of the sunny Med.
It is a sophisticated, soap-like scent that’s best worn with a crisp white polo or linen shirt. With an average wear time of 5-6 hours, Neroli Portofino is the best-smelling men’s fragrance for summer days that won’t overpower as temperatures hot up.
Top Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, lemon, bitter orange, rosemary, lavender, myrtle | Middle Notes: Orange flower, neroli, jasmine | Base notes: Amber, musk, angelica | Size: 1.7oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Summer
If you want to exude confidence and sex appeal, ditch the crowd-pleasing, wallflower scents and embrace something more daring. Oud is the perfect note for men out to make a statement.
Gucci Intense Oud is a rich fragrance that expertly balances rugged oud with smoky incense, warm woods, and earthy leather. The oud note is present but not domineering. It’s deep, mysterious, and powerful but stops short of being overbearing.
This winning woody cologne is a real masterclass in seduction. Spray with caution, though;
Top Notes: Oud | Middle Notes: Incense, olibanum | Base notes: Wood, leather, amber | Size: 3oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall, winter
What to Look for in the Best Designer Colognes
Price
Following fashion often comes with a hefty price tag. Heads up, though, guys, this isn’t the case with the best designer colognes for men. From Giorgio Armani’s best-selling Aqua di Gio at around $45 to Tom Ford’s sophisticated yet citrusy Neroli Portofino at a little over $200, there’s a scent to check all budget boxes.
How much you choose to invest is up to personal preference and wallet size, but there are a few factors I keep in mind. A scent you intend to use every day will need replacing quicker. That’s why my best everyday cologne pick, Bulgari Pour Homme, is just over $55 for 1.7oz. When selecting a scent to wow on special occasions, I’m prepared to up my investment. Especially when that scent is potent and long-lasting, like
Seasonal
It’s no coincidence that fashion houses debut new fragrances to coincide with seasonal changes. Your skin’s temperature and the air around you impact how your scent smells. In hot weather, as fragrance notes intensify, heavy scents can be overwhelming. Opt for something light and fresh like Tom Ford Neroli Portofino.
In winter, as the rate of evaporation slows, you may notice that your cologne seems to lose some of its oomph or go AWOL. When this happens, it’s time to bring out the big guns by choosing a gourmand fragrance like Valentino’s Uomo with its chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut heart notes, and leathery base.
Longevity
It’s not in your imagination that the scent of some colognes lasts longer than others. Scent-staying power all comes down to the way they are made. Eau de Toilette colognes have a lower concentration of fragrance than Eau de Parfums, so the fragrance will fade away more quickly.
A fragrance’s notes also have a role to play in a cologne’s longevity. Nausheen Qureshi, a cosmetic chemist, explains, “there’s a few factors that dictate perfume longevity. Generally speaking, woody and spicy notes tend to last longer, while fruity and floral notes fade faster.” To pack a powerful punch, reach for the everlasting
Final Verdict
For bosses on a budget, the best designer colognes are a way to get in on the action of the world’s most major luxury brands. The best of the best are those that embody their fashion house’s aesthetic and vibe.
Narcisco Rodriguez Bleu Noir is the ultimate example of this, elegant and minimalistic with a dose of sophisticated sexiness.
FAQ
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The most popular and best designer cologne for men is the best-selling fragrance of all time, Armani’s Aqua di Gio. Fans of the fragrance say nothing smells quite as good as this easy-to-wear scent. What impresses me most, though, about this cologne is its budget price point and its year-round versatility.
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The best designer colognes are branded scents created by worldwide fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, and Gucci. These fragrances embody the brand’s aesthetic. They are an extension of the designer’s clothing and accessory range. Plus, they give you the opportunity to buy into the designer dream at a fraction of the cost.
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The best designer colognes appeal to the fashion-forward and fans loyal to specific clothing brands. Meanwhile, niche cologne brands focus entirely on specialty fragrances and are less well-known. In addition, these are often made in small batches, so they tend to be more expensive than their designer counterparts. Both types of colognes, though, deserve their place in your olfactory collection.
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