Which should I pick?

[bayvillian516]

Well im pretty new to colognes.
I am stuck deciding between Acqua di Parma and Creed virgin island
Im a 23 y/o guy if that makes a difference.
Now heres the problem no one in my area has either of these in stock.
Which is the better choice? ( I know I should try to find a place that has them in stock, but I am pretty busy during the days, so I cant be driving all over)
thanks in advance

[iron maiden]

You might try Saks Fifth Avenue stores or a Macy's...they should carry those. Perhaps even COBigelow might have them.


I voted for another....as neither of those two really do it for me. I'm 35, if that matters, so I'd pick Penhaligon's Opus 1870 or Blenheim Bouquet if I was getting a new cologne.

[bayvillian516]

I would like something I can wear everyday and be good for the spring summer.
Also my range is up to around $200
Il check those out iron maiden
thanks

[iron maiden]

Good luck with it. If you were wanting to spend upwards of 200 clams, I'd also suggest emailing Penhaligon's or Floris to see if you can get some samples from them.

If they're reluctant, you could try Saks or Macy's and try on some upscale colognes in person.

[Isaias]

I do not like to differ from Iron Maiden but Penhaligons are not exactly for summer wear (except for Quercus (similar to Azzaro Chrome but a tad better) and Endymion (similar to H2)) Aqua di PArma colonia is a good scent, but it is not a safe blind-buy as it has something very 60's to it, and I am not sure you would like it. MArk Birley is a better alternative for younger people. VIW on the other hand is a rather boring scent. Marc Jacobs is a better similar alternative. Tommy Bahama Very cool or Set Sail St. Barts are good too and cheaper. Sample.
sample.
try before you buy
sample.
Erolfa Creed is a good fresh scent. Rive Gauche is something a bit more mature but a guy your age can easily pull it off, this one is marvelous. Leau DIssey (similar to 1805 truefitt and hill) is a classic. Some random scents to look for.
Varvatos,
Lhomme summer yves saint laurent.
Gucci II
212
Happy Clinique.
CK Be
Either Eternity Summer, Echo or Bulgari Aqua Marine (pick one)
Dior Homme (if you can get past the lipstick scent, it becomes a very good scent.)
Rochas Man
Mambo
Ungaro III
Givenchy Blue Label.
Lacoste Essential (I do not like it, but I see why it is so popular among young people)
Commes des Garcons Soda or the Cologne Series
Guerlain vetiver
Mugler's Cologne.
Clavin Klein Man
Chanel Platinum Egoiste or Allure Sport.
And check this out.
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=37178

[mttafire]

I assume you are talking about Colonia by AdP.
VIW is also a GREAT smelling frag.
I think that AdP is more versile though.
Actually Acqua di Parma is the ONLY non Creed that i'll wear.
Pick one and get a decant of the other.
Let me also add this: Neroli Sauvage by Creed is awsome. It has a "similar" thing going on like AdP with the "orangy" smell.
Either way...AdP and Creed...You cant go wrong. Congrats on your taste in cologne.

[Hoos]

bayvillain -

I recommend the Acqua di Parma Colonia. It's a great warm weather scent - citrus, just a little sweet, dries down to a really pleasant scent, masculine, and seems to be unique.

Acqua di Parma is available at Saks, Neiman-Marcu, and Nordstrom. Not sure if Macy's has it.

Creed's colognes really, IMO, need to be sampled before buying. Especially if you can't waste $200 for a bottle.

I spent a couple of hours at Neiman-Marcus sampling them (something I wouldn't wish on anyone).

The number of Creed fragrances that I thought I would like and did: zero (of the ten I tried).

The number of Creed fragrances that I didn't think I'd like but did: one (and it was out of stock).

FWIW, I'm not alone in that opinion. Many people love Creed, many people don't, and many people only enjoy a few of Creed's fragrances. If you have $200 that you can, potentially, end up throwing away, then it's not an issue.

I'd also recommend www.basenotes.net for further research. The site is being redesigned, but the forums are available and searchable. You'll find plenty of additional info over there.

[R-James]

I'm 19 and acqua di parma is one of my go to scents. Its a timeless and refined fragrance imho

[2bits]

[excuse the typo in the title ... lol]

That is to say - his nose knows.

... I do not like to differ from Iron Maiden but Penhaligons are not exactly for summer wear (except for Quercus (similar to Azzaro Chrome but a tad better) and Endymion (similar to H2)) Aqua di PArma colonia is a good scent, but it is not a safe blind-buy as it has something very 60's to it, and I am not sure you would like it. MArk Birley is a better alternative for younger people. VIW on the other hand is a rather boring scent. Marc Jacobs is a better similar alternative. Tommy Bahama Very cool or Set Sail St. Barts are good too and cheaper. Sample.
sample.
try before you buy
sample.
Erolfa Creed is a good fresh scent. Rive Gauche is something a bit more mature but a guy your age can easily pull it off, this one is marvelous. Leau DIssey (similar to 1805 truefitt and hill) is a classic. Some random scents to look for.
Varvatos,
Lhomme summer yves saint laurent.
Gucci II
212
Happy Clinique.
CK Be
Either Eternity Summer Echo or Bulgari Aqua Marine (pick one)
Dior Homme (if you can get past the lipstick scent, it becomes beautiful.)
Rochas Man
Mambo
Ungaro III
Givenchy Blue Label.
Lacoste Essetial (I do not like it, but I see why it is so popular among young people)
Commes des Garcons Soda or the Cologne Series
Guerlain vetiver
Mugler's Cologne.
Clavin Klein Man
Chanel Platinum Egoiste or Allure Sport.
And check this out.
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=37178

+10 for ... Rive Gauche - Yves Saint Laurent - but use your nose and sample - take your time - it's all good.

[drewfer]

Let me prefrace this with my age: I'm 34
My wife is would second the vote for Tommy Bahama Very cool and Set Sail. However, you're looking for a Creed alternative try a sniff of Origional Santal. It's a nice Neroli/Orange scent that is IMHO pretty youthful.

[Thomas]

A few gems already mentioned:
Guerlain Vetiver
Chanel Platinum Egoiste
John Varvatos (more a fall scent IMHO)

If you like AdP, then go for it, but the last time I sampled it it reminded me of two I already had: Monsieur de Givenchy (very inexpensive) and Signoricci (discontinued). No point in having a third variation on a theme.

Creed VIW - have not sampled but then again I've not been impressed by any Creed scent - either composition or longevity. Particularly longevity. None of their scents last a long time on me.

I'd add to the list:
Burt's Bees Bay Rum (surprising for the price)
SCS Bay Rum with a twist
Cartier Pasha (or Declaration for that matter)
Aramis New West (if you can find it)

[bayvillian516]

well after trying a ton of different colognes I went with aqua di parma
and i'm liking the smell even more after its been dry.
Thanks guys

[blantyre]

Other - Penhaligon's Castile.

[supracuhz]

Is it just me or does Acqua di Parma make you want to throw up? It smells a lot like C&S No.88, but for some reason, 88 doesnt have that effect.

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Those two scents are really apples and oranges, so not really clear on exactly what you're looking for. But, since you mentioned AdP (good stuff), I concur with the Penhaligon's Castile recommendation and I'll also throw in Penhaligon's Racquets. Powdery, musky rose and amber. Really, really good stuff.

As for Creed VIW, save $190, buy a bottle of suntan oil. Done. I've tried just about every "heavy hitter" (i.e. highly recommended) Creed frag and I'm duely unimpressed except for two; Bois du Portugal and Royal English Leather (the most formal, complex, most intriguing leather frag I've used). I've yet to try Cuir de Russie and Bois de Cedrat, though.

If you could be more specific on what you're looking for, we could help you out a little better. But from those two choices, AdP Colonia for the win.