Suggestion for a "formal" fragrance

[cls]

Gentlemen,

Having previously been pretty uninterested in fragrances, ended up reading this forum. Has since gotten quite a load of samples and a few decants / bottles of pretty decent fragrances. It looks like it is going to be a pretty interesting journey...

So far I am particularly liking GIT and Boise du Portugal from Creed, as well as L'eau D'Issey and Terre D'Hermes. Fragrances I really don't like include Habit Rouge (too powdery), Lolita Lempicka's Au Masculin and Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille (both too sweet for my undoubtedly untrained nose)

In a few weeks I will be attending a formal black-tie event/dinner, and am looking for a good fragrance to wear. I sampled Creed Windsor, which I liked pretty much, but the SWMBO did not like it at all: "too sharp" to her nose.

What do you gents consider good formal fragrances that I should consider?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

[joshmpdx]

I think Tiffany for Men is a good one for a formal affair.

Previously mentioned today and yesterday for a similar scenario is Domenico Caraceni, which is an utterly outstanding and unique fragrance that will certainly fit the bill.

New York from Parfums de Nicolai could be an excellent contender too.

[maxman]

What kind of impression are you looking for?
When you say formal, something must spring to mind.
I think of money and power when I think formal.
Everyone is different.

The scent that reminds me of that is Baldessarini (by Hugo Boss).

[cls]

It is an academic event, so maybe educated and gentlemanly rather than rich... :tongue_sm


What kind of impression are you looking for?
When you say formal, something must spring to mind.
I think of money and power when I think formal.
Everyone is different.

The scent that reminds me of that is Baldessarini (by Hugo Boss).

[Blue Raccoon]

I certainly don't know nothing about frags but I just got a decant of Guerlain's Mouchoir de Monsieur and it seems sophisticated and black tie'ish(?)
to me.

[cls]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for your suggestions this far, they seem very interesting to me. However, a fellow B&B member suggested I provide more detail to help you in making more targeted suggestions.

I will be attending a formal defense for a doctoral dissertation in Europe in the role of "opponent" meaning that it is my task to lead a formal discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the work, as well as suggest whether the work should be accepted or not. The actual defense is public and takes place during the day. The dress code is black tie with a black vest. The situation is very formal with partly scripted lines.

In the evening, in the case I have proposed that the dissertation is accepted (which is the norm), there is a dinner in my honor. Black-tie, white vest. Academic personnel, colleagues and relatives of the doctoral candidate. At this point in time people are more relaxed, and the dinner often lasts long into the night. Sometimes there will be an orchestra and dancing.

Thus, from my point of view this is "strictly business". I am going on my own, and am not looking to pick up women, as I am happily married :).

I could even consider wearing two different fragrances - one more "distant, aloof" for the day, and one slightly more relaxed for the evening.

I don't know if this helps you gentlemen, but I am, as always, extremely thankful for your input.

[mftoms59]

http://www.luckyscent.com/shop/section/2/item/31316/brand/PARFUMS_DE_NICOLAI/New_York.html

[tehtimmeh]

One of my recommendations would certainly have been Windsor, but it looks like that's out. :001_unsur

How about Domenico Caraceni? You could also splurge on a small decant of Vintage Tabarome for the evening. :w00t:

New York is a great recommendation, but it might be too similar to BdP for you to warrant it's purchase, however, FWIW - I feel it is superior to BdP.

[maxman]

It is an academic event, so maybe educated and gentlemanly rather than rich... :tongue_sm

Lol. That's not the point! :001_tongu
It's just what I equate to formal.
For you it's probably something different.
The point is to think about what scents/notes you equate with that event.

We could suggest this and that, but really one needs to dig a little deeper.
Then you can do the research and try a fragrance or two.

That's just what I think.

[jakespoppy]

Mouchoir de Monsieur for the formal event during the day as suggested by Blue Racoon is a great idea. It's distinguished, authoritative, and all business. I agree that PdN New York has a slight edge on Bois du Portugal, but it's so slight an edge, since you already have it, I would wear the Bois du Portugal to the evening event, for it's elegance and charm.

Sounds like an interesting event, and an important role. Congratulations!

[Austin]

Guerlain MdM. You will feel like a billionaire.

[BillC]

Guerlain MdM. You will feel like a billionaire.

I've got a bottle in the mail - should be feeling like a billionaire sometime next week:001_smile

[The Nid Hog]

Vintage Tabarome. That's what I'd wear if I were in your situation.

[haiti222]

Knize Two in the day and Knize Sec at night......

[Quintar]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for your suggestions this far, they seem very interesting to me. However, a fellow B&B member suggested I provide more detail to help you in making more targeted suggestions.

I will be attending a formal defense for a doctoral dissertation in Europe in the role of "opponent" meaning that it is my task to lead a formal discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the work, as well as suggest whether the work should be accepted or not. The actual defense is public and takes place during the day. The dress code is black tie with a black vest. The situation is very formal with partly scripted lines.

In the evening, in the case I have proposed that the dissertation is accepted (which is the norm), there is a dinner in my honor. Black-tie, white vest. Academic personnel, colleagues and relatives of the doctoral candidate. At this point in time people are more relaxed, and the dinner often lasts long into the night. Sometimes there will be an orchestra and dancing.

Thus, from my point of view this is "strictly business". I am going on my own, and am not looking to pick up women, as I am happily married :).

I could even consider wearing two different fragrances - one more "distant, aloof" for the day, and one slightly more relaxed for the evening.

I don't know if this helps you gentlemen, but I am, as always, extremely thankful for your input.

wow! :w00t: I should have gone to school in Europe! I think some of my committee were wearing shorts and there was definitely NO orchestra after my defense.

[Austin]

Parafums De Nicolai- New York

Another good choice.

[Dennard]

Guerlain Vetiver would be a good one for your situation, I think.

[mdunn]

Polo 'green'. Makes me feel underdressed in a tux

[Habemeajaja]

I suggest Chanel "Egoiste"/ de la Renta "Pour Lui"/ Mont Blanc "Presence". :001_rolle

[jakespoppy]

Polo 'green'. Makes me feel underdressed in a tux

:thumbup1:

[wimbouman]

Vintage Tabarome. That's what I'd wear if I were in your situation.

:tongue_sm
Where did you get that?
It's out of order isn't is? Replaced by Millesime?
If I remember correctly?

[blantyre]

Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet is quite formal. Creed Spice and Wood is nice though not terribly formal.

[tehtimmeh]

:tongue_sm
Where did you get that?
It's out of order isn't is? Replaced by Millesime?
If I remember correctly?

You can still get decants of the legendary juice from TPC and other sample providers.

Trying to buy a whole bottle retail is next to impossible to find, and if you do find it, it will be $$$$$$.

[Allan Pollock]

Here are my favorite formal scents these days:
Penhaligon's Opus 1870 - sweet but crisp rose and cedar
Dior Homme - smells like lipstick and chocolate (you might find this too sweet for your tastes, given what you've said) but seriously, women love lipstick and chocolate!
Lalique Encre Noire - sharp, green, woody a bit smokey, then fades to a very nice sweet musk. Although, I have read that Chanel's sycomore is similar but better (also much more expensive!)

Allan

[The Nid Hog]

:tongue_sm
Where did you get that?
It's out of order isn't is? Replaced by Millesime?
If I remember correctly?

I bought a flacon when it was rumored to be going out of production. I think that it will last me until they bring it back again (as I'm sure they will eventually).

[cls]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for your kind suggestions. As my FAD is in full bloom, I have ordered samples/decants of the following:

- PdN New York
- Domenico Caraceni
- Guerlain MdM
- Creed Vintage Tabarome
- Pen BB & Opus 1870

This is going to be fun!
I will let you know what I end up using...
If you think I am leaving out something great, Don't hesitate to feed my AD!

[cls]

Broke down and ordered Knize Two and Sec as well...
I must stop reading this forum and basenotes...

[Obsessed]

Broke down and ordered Knize Two and Sec as well...
I must stop reading this forum and basenotes...

Forget it. You're hooked. You're not stopping anything.

[fsatsil]

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver is a great formal scent IMO

[Ron991]

JHL....Aramis
Heritage EDP....Guerlain
Patou pour Homme....Jean Patou.Albeit a little unrealistic.
Tiffany For Men....Tiffany

In that order.

[Slowhand]

Domenico Caraceni 1913

[Rossmeister]

1805 or Sartorial.

[Masterkova]

Another vote for Mouchoir de Monsieur.

You might also want to look at the offerings from Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier (MPG). Most of their scents tend to the formal and are very complex - they have a definite intellectual edge to them. Among these I would particularly recommend Santal Noble, Parfum d'Habit, Ambre Precieux and Eau des Iles.

One note of warning: the opening notes of these MPGs can be quite "challenging" and I would never suggest them as blind buys. If you want to get SWMBO's opinion, wait for an hour or so after you put it on.

[john parker]

Ungaro III

[Ru4scuba?]

penhaligon's blenheim bouquet is quite formal. Creed spice and wood is nice though not terribly formal.

+1

[Deltaboy]

Grey Flannel or Orginal Polo Green.

[gwolf]

antaeus

[saltypete]

I can't go past Floris No89 for a formal occasion.



Pete

[Cheeva]

If money is no object, I would go for Creed Windsor..made for the duke of Windsor in the 1930's. or Green Irish Tweed. also by creed.
lastly if on a budget I would suggest Davidoff's Cool Water which is a knock-off of:thumbup1: Green Irish Tweed (they smell very similar.)

[Joe Frances]

Heritage by Guerlain and Domenico Caraceni 1913

[cls]

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for your valuable input - I got myself quite the set of samplers and decants for this one. My final choices were:

Day: Creed Windsor
Night: PdN New York

The actual defense is now over, and I am just about to leave for the dinner... :thumbup:

[tehtimmeh]

Good choices. I assume a congratulations is also in order!

[Sterling Cooper]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for your suggestions this far, they seem very interesting to me. However, a fellow B&B member suggested I provide more detail to help you in making more targeted suggestions.

I will be attending a formal defense for a doctoral dissertation in Europe in the role of "opponent" meaning that it is my task to lead a formal discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the work, as well as suggest whether the work should be accepted or not. The actual defense is public and takes place during the day. The dress code is black tie with a black vest. The situation is very formal with partly scripted lines.

In the evening, in the case I have proposed that the dissertation is accepted (which is the norm), there is a dinner in my honor. Black-tie, white vest. Academic personnel, colleagues and relatives of the doctoral candidate. At this point in time people are more relaxed, and the dinner often lasts long into the night. Sometimes there will be an orchestra and dancing.

Thus, from my point of view this is "strictly business". I am going on my own, and am not looking to pick up women, as I am happily married :).

I could even consider wearing two different fragrances - one more "distant, aloof" for the day, and one slightly more relaxed for the evening.

I don't know if this helps you gentlemen, but I am, as always, extremely thankful for your input.

Sex Panther.


In all seriousness, I second those who have rec'd Opus 1870 and DC 1913; although Creed Bois d' Portugal would indeed be perfect.

[Shaving_CHENG]

I'd suggest Acqua di Parma - classic, classy and most importantly, light; you'll not overpower the room, and that's key in any affair.