For some men, wearing a floral fragrance is simply out of the question. After all, the antiquated notions of perfumery dictate that florals and fruits should be reserved for women while musks, leathers and woods are best left to men. According to this philosophy, should a man—burl and brawn and everything else—even think of floral accords, he should be shot on sight.
Silly, isn’t it?
Fortunately, we’ve come a long way from this binary view of the fragrance world, and the wider population has since come to appreciate a good overt floral note. Not to mention, florals have been incorporated into men’s perfumery since the very beginning, often serving to uplift and enhance the heavier, more masculine notes typical of men’s scents.
These eight scents ahead are a mix of both subtle and conspicuous florals—from Aesop’s understated Eidesis to Armani Prive’s sweeter Vert Malachite, find your next go-to fragrance below:
Armani Prive Vert Malachite Eau De Parfum
A sweet concoction of white flowers, Vert Malachite is one to score if you’re not afraid to express your love for florals. Notes of bitter orange, lily, jasmine sambac, and ylang-ylang leave an intriguing scent trail, while the green stone-like flacon makes for a stunning addition to your top shelf.
RM1,200, more info here
Boy Chanel Les Exclusifs De Chanel Eau de Parfum
Boy Chanel is an aromatic fougère with notes of lavender, geranium, grapefruit, and orange blossom enhanced with woody notes of white musk and sandalwood. It is the perfect gender-fluid fragrance to don if you’re partial to contemporary, non-traditional scents.
From RM820, available here
Diptyque Eau de Parfum Do Son
Sweet scents aren’t made exclusively for ladies, and Diptyque’s Do Son is proof that anyone can wear a bouquet of lush florals with panache. This fragrance features top notes of African orange flower, iris and rose, middle notes of tuberose and pink pepper, and base notes of benzoin and musk. As always, Diptyque’s iconic bottles are a staple on any top shelf—perfect for a visual and olfactory pick-me-up.
RM719, available at Diptyque stores
Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady
The iconic French house Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle has fully earned its sparkling reputation, and the iconic Portrait of a Lady fragrance is a testament to why. Made with Turkish rose (400 flowers per 100ml bottle), patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense, clove, blackcurrant and raspberry, the fragrance is a delectable must-have if you’re an ardent fan of warm spicy accords.
From RM825, available here
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Eau de Parfum
Yet another fragrance with rose undertones, Gucci’s reinterpreted version of the original signature aims to enamour and shock—and it does so very well with the addition of spicy chili pepper. Notes of orange blossom, lavender, neroli, patchouli, and cedarwood punctuate the scent with subtle richness.
RM425, available here
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum
The Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum is a headier, sultrier version of its predecessor. Described as an amber woody floral, the multifaceted fragrance’s top notes of bitter almond and saffron steal the show—coupled with jasmine blossoms, ambergris, and musk for a warm, sweet dry down.
More info here
Tom Ford Beau De Jour Eau de Parfum
Want a fragrance that encapsulates lavender without rendering it too soapy? Tom Ford’s Beau de Jour is right up your olfactory alley. Notes of lavender, African rosemary, and geranium give it a crisp edge, while oak moss, basil, patchouli, and amber leave a sensual, musky trail. If this doesn’t reek of sophistication, we’re not quite sure what else does.
RM640, available here
Aesop Eidesis Eau De Parfum
If you’re after a more subtle scent that perfectly toes the line between masculine and feminine, you’ve found it. The fragrance subverts expectations by blending its subtle floral accord with spicy black pepper, frankincense, and cumin; rounding it off with earthy vetiver, luxurious sandalwood and musk. It is a stunning fragrance you won’t want to miss out on.
RM715, available at Aesop stores.
Louis Vuitton Fleur Du Désert
A tribute to a lush oasis in the middle of the vast desert landscape of the Middle East, Louis Vuitton’s new scent is one of their best yet. Notes of Oud Assam and spicy cinnamon are blended with a sweet bouquet of jasmine, orange blossom, and rose to envelop the senses in total luxury.
RM1,650, shop here.
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