Zella Collier
Selecting the perfect fragrance has always been an aspiration for the well groomed gentleman. In this comprehensive buyers guide, we cover the 21 best colognes for men in 2021!
A well tailored man knows that style is more than visual, it's the knot of your tie, the way you enter a room, and the way you groom. Clean cut or rugged, every man needs a signature scent. Picking the perfect aroma is difficult- it speaks volumes to your personality and can make or break a first impression.
Powerful and alluring or musky and matured, fragrances introduce us before we even reach out to shake hands. Finding balance between the multifaceted layers of colognes can be dizzying, just like too much of the wrong scent can be.
The next time you have a second - we recommend clearing some space on your bathroom shelf to make room for your next bottle of cologne. Having a diverse collection of fragrances is a must - you would never own just one tie would you? More than one cologne might sound frivolous, but its the extra mile of style.
A heavy winter fragrance with notes of tobacco and rum would clash with an afternoon of golf and summer cocktails. But! you’ve had the same go-to bottle for years, maybe even since college. You’ve trusted and relied on that same bottle, we know. We aren’t suggesting a break up, just diversifying with something new. That’s the beauty of it all - stocking up on a few different tones will last you a long time.
With so many fragrances and so many pallets and tones, it can be frustrating to know what will work for you and your style and preferences. If you’ve been thinking colognes are too heavy and musky, be patient and read on - we have plenty of options in varying strengths. If you’re bolder, and prefer a strong, lasting fragrance, we’ve got you covered too.
Dark Knot Tip : Not all men’s fragrances are weighty colognes. The type of fragrance depends on the concentration of perfume in the bottle. The lightest in potency is Eau fraiche with a diluted percent of just 1-5%, followed by eau de toilette with 5-8%, and eau de parfum with the highest potency at 8-15%.
1. Nautica Classic
New to colognes? Let’s start with a fresh, daily wear fragrance. The leaves of coriander, clary sage, added to bergamot and lime makes this an easy going choice for most occasions, the addition of amber and musk round out this fragrance for the easy going man of the day. Price: $26.24
2. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette Spray
Red for the preppy turned professional, this fragrance sports the adrenaline of red saffron, redwood, and grapefruit to deliver freshness without being overly powerful. Perfect for post-gym spritz, this bottle is waiting to be stashed in the car or in your desk’s bottom drawer. Price: $54-$87
3. Valentino Uomo Acqua By Valentino
Aristocratic without being too assertive, this cologne lives up to the high-class the bottle suggests. With top notes of bergamot and myrtle and base notes of leather and cedar, this scent is ageless with a secret. By having central notes of roasted coffee beans, chocolate and hazelnut will add a soft touch, without the sweetness of a floral or summer fragrance. Price: $84.93
4. Celine Black Tie Affair
Perfectly tailored in its tones - this fragrance is waiting for your silk seams and evenings. Bottled between the sultry musks of cedar and white orris butter, with just a drop of vanilla for sweetness, this is a fragrance for any affair - just promise you’ll dress for the occasion. Price: $62.99
5. Prada Luna Rossa Sport for Men 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
If you’re looking for something energizing - Early risers look no further than this zesty ginger fragrance to lift your spirits on those early mornings. Lavender and vanilla balance with juniper berries for an afternoon pick me up when you leave the office. Price: $64.90
6. Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men
The warmth of sun dried - without being constricted to being a summer-only fragrance, This mediterranean mix of leather and citrus speaks for itself. Price: $318
7. Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense
Down to earth and honest, this bottle swirls with the sap from Namibian myrrh and the blonde pairing of lavender and honey. The tonka bean and almond add gentle warmth to this year-round fragrance for daily wear. Price: $48
8. Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraiche
Subtle doesn’t mean timid, and a gentler cologne is a must have. A lighter fragrance of geranium, lemon, and cedarwood, creates a barely-there palette for nothing more than a morning mist as you breeze past the mirror. If you’re seeking something more than the motherly aroma of fabric softener, but are fearful of high school body-spray flashbacks then this is for you. Price: $81.17
9. Calvin Klein Obsession for Men Eau de Toilette
Attention grabbing? Obsession igniting. This fragrance is sultry without the tobacco smoke of many colognes. Obsession is a mix of the smooth: peach, vanilla, basil, and mandarin, with the strong: musk, amber, and incense. If you’re looking to turn heads and keep them turned, this is the scent for you. Price: $79.00
10. Eros by Versace Eau de Toilette
Refreshing and dynamic, this scent is vibrant and will leave you feeling cool from its mix of mint leaves and Italian lemon zest with the suave notes of vetiver and cedar. It also has the unique ingredient of crisp green apple that will leave you understanding why Eve took a bite. Price: $56.89
11. BYREDO - Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum
Autumnal and academic go hand and hand. For the book lover looking for a fall fragrance we recommend Bibliotheque. Close your last leather bound and reach for this bottle of woody patchouli, leather, and vanilla, with the caress of plum and violet. Price: $199.0
12. Stetson Black Eau de Cologne
Smith and Wesson? No, Stetson Black. A rich gunpowder finish of white pepper, nutmeg, and violet leaves, with the undertones of cedar and leather. This is a simple, man’s man fragrance for a direct and honest aroma. Price: $30.95
13. Dior Sauvage Parfum Spray
If you’re someone seeking a secret ingredient, look no further. Blackpepper makes this fragrance striking and memorable, without being overbearing. The spice is subdued and made of mystery with the aromas of calabria bergamot evened out with ambroxan, from the rare ambergris amber. Price: $120.5
14. Giorgio Armani Armani Code
Spiced like the Sauvage above, Armani Code is seasoned with a different palette. The secret ingredients are the sharpness of star anise and the gentle petal of olive blossom. The smell is lightened with bergamot and lemon to keep this fragrance sensual and warm, without being strictly for sweater weather. Price: $106.84
15. Chanel Bleu Eau de Toilette
Picasso Understood blue, and so do we. This fragrance has been a classic since it was first bottled in 1910. The ageless aromas of neroli blend with the floral of jasmine and the zest of citrus. Price: $139.75
16. John Varvatos Artisan Men’s Cologne
Tropical? The sun shines year round, so don’t let the refreshing fragrance of gingers, orange blossoms, and sicilian clementines stop you from stepping out in something bright and artisan. Price: $89.00
17. English Laundry Oxford Bleu Eau de Parfum
Dapper, chic, and hard to beat - this decidedly British fragrance needs only one spritz on the wrist, letting it last for longer. The lingering aroma of mint, lemon, tonka bean, and the finishing caress of iris will leave everyone wanting more. Price: $115.00
18. ARMAF Club De Nuit Intense Eau De Parfume
For the confident man, this fragrance is up to the challenge of matching your energy when you first walk into the room. Price: $70.10
19. Dunhill Signature Collection British Leather Eau de Parfum
Musk isn’t the only ingredient for manly, the leather tones of this fragrance mix sensual with luxury to create something aged and elegant. For a man of the world, this cologne is blended of aged aromas, citrus, with a violet kiss the same as her lipstick. Price: $150.00
20. Maison Martin Margiela 'Replica' Jazz Club
If you like your scotch and your suits vintage, this is the perfect any occasion fragrance for you. Musk is a must for the Brooklyn jazz lover, and the blend of musk, vanilla, tonka bean, vetiver, and tobacco leaves certainly form an impression. The smoke will curl and you will be sure to stand out. Price: $149.99
21. Pi Givenchy
Romantic and complex, this fragrance stands out from the rest of the list due to the sharpness of its pine and rosemary. The addition of tarragon, neroli, and other herbs completes this sensual scent. Price: $46.77
And that's a wrap for this one! We hope that you have found this 21 best men's colognes guide both informative and helpful!
