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While we tend to think of fashion as an entirely sartorial concern, style isn’t all about how clothes look or how they feel when worn - the scent of fragrances can also play a big factor in feeling and looking ace, particularly when dressing to impress.
Yet, choosing and wearing men’s fragrances and aftershaves is something lots of gents find difficult, and understandably too. Types, strengths, notes - there’s all sorts of information to digest before you can make a decision on what fragrance you want, beyond arduously sampling every option in store.
To learn how to get your nose around the interesting world of men’s designer fragrances, check out our expert tips below - including how to tell fragrances apart, buying tips and more.
There are four main concentrations of fragrance to choose from, with each suiting different situations and tastes:
Describing a scent is understandably quite difficult. To help you learn which fragrances you prefer, it’s good to beat in mind the four main groups of notes in perfumery:
Take time to test
It’s a straightforward tip, but the best way to find the perfect men’s fragrance is to test, test, test. Head to the perfume section and don’t be afraid to get some help from the attendant. They should be able to help you hone in on the different notes you like most and give you a few options to choose from. Make sure to ask lots of questions, and ask what specific notes each fragrance has. That way, you can build up your knowledge and better understand similarities between scents the next time you go fragrance shopping.
Don’t be afraid to ask
The questioning shouldn’t stop when you leave the department store. If you catch a great scent when you’re out and about, don’t be afraid to ask the wearer what sort of men’s perfume they’re wearing. It might seem like a strange question to ask at first, but chances are you’ll be paying them a big compliment and they’ll be happy to tell you about their favourite cologne
Popular or niche?
Best-selling men’s fragrances are popular for a reason - they appeal to our shared love for certain scents. As such, if you really don’t know what to go for, they can be a good first step into the world of men’s cologne. However, if you prefer going against the grain and you want your scent to stand out as much as your style, it can be worth diverting away from the most popular men’s fragrances and going a little off-piste.
At the end of the day, understanding more about fragrance will give you a better ability to understand what you like, unlocking a world of choice that isn’t just dictated by the price tag.Getting the perfect fragrance needn’t be a chore.
Fenwick has a vast selection of men’s fragrances to choose from. Visit a store near you to crack out some test strips and find your perfect aftershave in person, or take a look at the range online.
