I wore the green bottled Polo in high school (it was the 80’s and Drakkar was nasty shit), Georgio for men in the 90’s, Burberry in the 00’s. About a decade ago I went down the rabbit hole and did as you did- hundreds of dollars in samples and small bottles. I discovered I hated aquatics, most modern stuff was too heavy with a monotone bass note.
Being a history geek I went backwards and started looking at fragrances of the past. Bought new old stock bottles to compare to newly made- noted the differences (although on a 30+ year old bottle usually the top notes have evaporated off even if sealed). In the end I settled on a handful of heritage fragrances that I still wear, I rotate depending on season and mood.
In chronological order:
Chanel pour Homme- I wear it for suit and tie- lots of barber shop on top, dries down nicely to a subtle soapy smell- veeery 50’s.
Aramis- my father wore this all through the 70’s- was originally made exclusively for Harrods in the mid 60’s- top notes of lime and leather- lingers with patchouli- I get constant compliments on this one. I wear it every Friday as a nod to my father and my wife loves it on me (which I feel conflicted about since it was my father’s fragrance). Although it was developed in the 60’s it is rhe ultimate 70’s fragrance.
Dior Eau Sauvage EDT. Do not confuse this with the modern Sauvage which is trash. This was Steve McQueen’s fragrance in the late 60’s. Lemon and lime on top, lots of bright sweet notes with woods through the middle and bass- this is a lovely fragrance that dries to a skin scent by mid-day and lasts all day. It’s a great summer fragrance.
Chanel Antheaus- solid early 80’s fragrance that’s powdery and sweet with a insane silliage and projection- but never offensive. Like all Chanel fragrances it shares a deep and enveloping bottoms This one will last 24 hours going steady- another one my wife loves.
Chanel Egoist- ok, I am a was a teen in the late 80’s and this was the fragrance of choice during that period- lots of vanilla (who are all fhe cupcakes), with nice woods through the middle and bass. It’s an occasional fragrance for me, but it’s fun to wear.
Hermes Bel-Ami Vetiver- this is my far one of my favorite fragrances of all time. The Tom Ford Grey Vetiver was close but this is x10 in terms of depth and complexity. It’s a heavy and warm fragrance best for colder months (like most Hermes fragrances for men and women), but the grasses up top brighten it enough that it could be worn year round.
All of the above are really archetypes if they’re time. You will know the period when you smell them and it makes sense. Now this is going to be the untimate of nerd, but I noticed not long ago that I do occasionally pair my watches with my fragrances…yes, by period. Chanel Pour Homme gets a 50’s dress watch, Aramis gets something 70’s and fun, Eau Sauvage gets a 60’s sport watch, Anthaeus gets 80’s, etc.
Ok, too much share
