At this time of year, heavy, musky, dirty concoctions can feel a bit obtrusive
It often falls on me to choose fragrances for the husbands, fathers and sons of the women in my life, and it’s a task I relish. I’m partial to wearing a masculine scent myself, and am always mustard-keen to sniff out what’s new and interesting. I use that last word pointedly, because men’s perfume can often be a crashing bore. For at least two decades, mainstream brands seemed to peddle the same old watery, slightly fruity concoctions that smelled more like loo cleaner than man of elegance. “Fresh” and “clean” said all the fancy press packs, as if clean even has a smell, and as if this was all that men desired in a fragrance.
But one can still have lightness, brightness, airiness, even a little soapiness, without losing character and personality: here are some new ones I love, each especially good at this time of year, when heavy, musky, dirty concoctions can feel a bit obtrusive and lecherous. Ulrich Lang Apsu eau de toilette (£75) is among my favourites. It’s an exceptionally modest, cut-grass smell punctuated by peppery herbs and a dash of citrus, and seems to smell as lovely on women as it does on men (indeed, several of those featured this week are comfortably unisex). It has a glassiness that will cut nicely through the oncoming claggy weather, though the huge bottle should easily see you through winter.
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