There’s a time and a place for the unbridled sex appeal of Tom Ford’s Tuscan Leather or the subdued sensuality of Frederic Malle’s French Lover. The office isn’t one of them. Fragrance should be considered an extension of your outfit, with the best men’s fragrances and colognes for the office tending to be fresh scents that are decidedly inoffensive. That doesn’t mean you need to do away with tobacco and leathery notes altogether or opt for an overly generic formulation. However, it’s best to save the bold, experimental, and sexy scents for weekends and nights out — particularly if you work in a more conservative office — lest your coworkers think you’re trying to perform the art of seduction at the water cooler.
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When looking for the best men’s fragrance or cologne for the office, lean into scents with citrusy, powdery, woody, aquatic, and green notes. Basically, anything that smells ‘clean’. Herewith, the best men’s fragrances to wear to the office.
1. Prada l’Homme
A powdery and soapy scent, Prada l’Homme is the ultimate clean smelling fragrance. Far from an experimental fragrance, Prada l’Homme is as safe as it gets; a good thing when it comes to office-appropriate scents. Neroli, violet, iris, geranium, sandalwood, and patchouli come together to create a scent almost reminiscent of freshly laundered clothes.
Scent notes: neroli, black pepper, cardamom, carrot seeds, iris, violet, geranium, mate, amber, cedar, patchouli, sandalwood
2. Comme des Garcons Amazingreen
A nuanced, intoxicating take on a verdant fragrance, Comme des Garcons Amazingreen is unique yet crowd-pleasing. Akin to being in the rainforest after a downpour, Comme des Garcons Amazingreen is light and fresh with just a hint of spice and sweetness.
Scent notes: palm tree leaves, green pepper, ivy, orris, coriander, silex, gunpowder, vetiver, musk
3. Ralph Lauren Polo Blue
Office sycophant in the making? A spritz or two of the breezy, aquatic Ralph Lauren Polo Blue will garner you a few compliments and be liked — or at least tolerated — by all. Refreshing, crisp, and clean, you can’t say a bad word about it.
Scent notes: cucumber, melon, mandarin orange, basil, sage, geranium, suede, woodsy notes, musk
4. Calvin Klein Everyone EDP
Citrusy and woody, Calvin Klein Everyone is an easy reach scent for the office. Vaguely green and aquatic, Calvin Klein Everyone is a vegan-friendly formula that uses sustainably-sourced ingredients, including naturally-derived alcohol. A minimal fragrance, notes of orange, black tea, and vetiver come together to create a unisex scent that works on pretty much everyone.
Scent notes: orange, black tea, vetiver
5. Dior Eau Sauvage
Not to be confused with the newer mononymic Sauvage scent, Dior Eau Sauvage is a timeless classic. Representative of the subtle, understated masculinity of yesteryear (read: more fougere, less leathery), Dior Eau Sauvage is fresh and refined, with lemon, bergamot, rosemary, and basil underscored by a woods and earthy vetiver.
Scent notes: lemon, bergamot, basil, rosemary, caraway, fruity notes, jasmine, coriander, carnation, patchouli, orris root, sandalwood, rose, oakmoss, vetiver, musk, amber
6. Gucci Mémoire d’Une Odeur
A genderless scent, Gucci Mémoire d’Une Odeur is soft, intriguing, and a little nostalgic. Unconventional without being polarising, herbal and mineral notes of chamomile and a touch of hay dry down into warm, slightly powdery florals. A soothing, comforting option that’s likeable without being mass market or generic.
Scent notes: chamomile, bitter almond, musk, Indian jasmine, sandalwood, cedar, vanilla
7. Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day
Salty, fresh, marine, and aquatic, Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day is the ideal summer fragrance for both work and leisure. The olfactory equivalent of sunkissed skin, Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day boasts notes of seaweed and salt with a hint of minerality. A good energising scent for those early mornings.
Scent notes: aquatic accord, aldehydes accord, juniper essence, coriander, iris, rose, red seaweed essence, ambergris accord, ambery wood accord
8. Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel
For those who want to exude a vibe that’s equal parts trustworthy and authoritative, look no further than Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel. Orange, lemon, iris, violet, moss, and vetiver envelop the wearing in a comforting powdery, soapy blanket. Naturally, it pairs well with a flannel suit in the winter.
Scent notes: galbanum, petitgrain, neroli, bergamot, lemon, violet, iris, geranium, mimosa, sage, narcissus, rose, oakmoss, vetiver, cedar, tonka bean, almond
9. Louis Vuitton Imagination
Safe, comforting, and dependable. The citrus notes in this fragrance are more soft and calming than tangy and zesty, with the fragrance giving off a pleasant, clean soapy feel. Boasting surprisingly good longevity for a fresh fragrance, Louis Vuitton Imagination easily carries you through the 9-5.
Scent notes: ambroxan, black tea, neroli, cedarwood, bergamot, ginger, cinnamon
10. Narciso Rodriguez For Him Bleu Noir
A fragrance for the consummate professional, Narciso Rodriguez For Him Bleu Noir features gentle sweet spicy notes of cardamom and nutmeg, underscored by musk and woods. Masculine and warm, it stays close to the skin and exudes a sense of understated sophistication.
Words by Theo Rosen
