@xnonymous tweets:
“Could you please recommend some androgynous fragrances? I’ve been searching far and wide for some.”
It’s really hard to recommend fragrances online, because one dapperQ’s sweet smell is another dapperQ’s stank. Additionally, because of our varying biochemistries, a fragrance can smell different depending on the person that it is on. However, I can suggest some popular unisex and androgynous fragrances to point you in the right direction. But, it’s up to you to do the foot work to see which one works best for you.
LE LABO
My partner (more androgynous) and I (hyper feminine) can spend hours in Le Labo boutiques. They offer a very broad range of incredibly unique fragrances, so much so that they suggest you take “Viagra” if you can’t find at least one Le Labo fragrance you love. With such variety, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a unisex scent (such as their Patchouli 24 or Santal 33); but be prepared to pay a bit more than you would for your typical Old Spice.
DIPTYQUE
Lucky Magazine states that diptyque’s non gender-specific Volutes Eau de Parfum has masculine leathery tobacco notes with a hint of lilac to soften things up. I’d recommend checking out diptyque’s full line of fragrances if you do not like Volute, as they offer other scents that can pass as unisex.
JO MALONE
My partner and I share Jo Malone’s Grapefruit cologne. It’s simple, crisp, and totally summer sexy. If citrus doesn’t float your boat, they offer a wide variety of other stand-out scents that go beyond your typical unisex Calvin Klein CK1.
SABON
During the winter months, my partner and I share Sabon’s Oneg, and each and every single time one or both of us wear it, we get compliments from men, women, and everywhere in between.
CREED
One of my best dapperQ friends swears by Creed‘s unisex line of colognes – and I have to say that she always smells fantastic wearing them.
ODIN
Marie Claire recommends Odin 01, with its rich notes of juniper berries and cedar leaves, as a gender-bending scent.
NASOMATTO
Last but not least is Nasomatto‘s line of fragrances, which I spent an entire two years stalking at a Chelsea, NY boutique while I was broke and in graduate school. I could never figure out which one I would buy upon graduating. But, they carry androgynous scents, such as their Black Afgano, that are definitely worth the investment.
I’m a certifiable bunny hugger, so I only use cruelty free fragrances. Right now my favorite is Icon from Lush. I would label it as androgynous, not distinctly masculine. The description describes it as: “There’s something Byronesque about this fragrance; you could imagine it being worn by dissolute young men staying up late to write passionate poetry.” Frankly, that’s exactly how I aim to smell, so I like it.
L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme by Issey Miyake is a great androgynous fragrance. Fresh enough for summer but also great for year round use.
Essential oils are also a great way to go because they are cheap and last a long time. Patchouli, sandalwood, sweet orange, frankincense, cedarwood, tea tree, clove, sage, basil, ginger, the list goes on. And you can combine them to make your own unique fragrance. It’s all I ever use and folks are always telling me I smell extra good.
I’m a fan of Demeter Fragrances (http://www.demeterfragrance.com/) — especially their Pepper scent!
Barneys New York – Route Du The Pour Homme
http://www.barneys.com/Barneys-New-York-Route-du-The-Pour-Homme/00459390000006,default,pd.html?cgid=mens-fragrances&index=9
Check the website for the scent description. It’s extremely light, works well for summer, and the woody and spicy accents are not harsh. I usually wear more masculine scents (The One by Dolce and Gabbana and Arabian Wood by Tom Ford ) and my girlfriend wears feminine fragrances, but she loves it too… she wears it sometimes 🙂