Why No Mainstream Colognes?

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Ok, so I may have missed something with still being a newbie, but I've noticed that I never see any mention of colognes like Calvin Klein, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, John Varvatos or any of the mainstream designer-name colognes (usually found at Macy's and Nordstrom) being used by the guys in this forum.

Do those mainstream brands get shyed away from by you guys and if so, why?

 

[gone down south]

This crowd does not run mainstream

 

[tarheel1]

I personally dont do mainstream anymore because I want to be different then everyone around me. I want it to be somethign special that makes people wonder what I am wearing.

 

[McShaverson]

I personally dont do mainstream anymore because I want to be different then everyone around me. I want it to be somethign special that makes people wonder what I am wearing.

+1

 

[jeff2011]

I gave up on mainstreams because I am more interested in scents than brand--I like lavendar better than Burberry...

 

[Emmett]

I gave up on mainstreams because I am more interested in scents than brand--I like lavendar better than Burberry...

Quite so. Plus, for me, the trend of mainstream scents being oceanic/marine made them distinctly unappealing to me.

 

[auee1977]

I will use a mainstream fragrance when I favor the scent. For instance, one of my favorites is John Varvatos which you listed. I really enjoy using YSL Rive Gauche and Azzaro Pour Homme, which I consider mainstream because they are available all over the place.

 

[trumpetchris]

I've got quite a few "mainstream" brands. But, I try to keep away from the most popular just to smell a little different.

 

[Koss]

I wear Azzaro Chrome,Escada Magnetism, Lucky Number 6, and Burberry Weekend.
Only one of those is slightly Aqua.
I am young though. All the women my age would notice is I smell nice, am clean, and am not wearing Axe.

 

[john parker]

Calvin Klein Obsession is my "go to". Also use Zino Davidoff, Guerlain Habit Rouge. Other scents include C&M Sandalwood, C&E Lavender Water, T-H Spanish Leather, D.R. Harris Sandalwood and TOBS Sandalwood.

 

[markb]

Ok, so I may have missed something with still being a newbie, but I've noticed that I never see any mention of colognes like Calvin Klein, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, John Varvatos or any of the mainstream designer-name colognes (usually found at Macy's and Nordstrom) being used by the guys in this forum.

Do those mainstream brands get shyed away from by you guys and if so, why?

They all smell the same to me. There's nothing that distinguishes them from their counterparts lined up on the counter.

 

[mr_economy]

For me it depends on your definition of mainstream. I absolutely hate smelling like everyone else, which given current fragrance trends means no oceanic fragrances for me. I'm fine with that, because they give me headaches anyway.

But I do enjoy well-designed, complex fragrances from several "mainstream" powerhouses like Yves Saint Laurent. M7, M7 Fresh, and Rive Gauche are three of my favorites. I also like both the John Varvatos and Varvatos Vintage colognes, although since I've never known anyone else who wears them I don't know how "mainstream" they are.

There is certainly a trend here towards 'niche' fragrance houses like Creed, Czech & Speake, and L'Artisan. These are expensive to be sure, but also usually very well designed and complex. Cologne in the mainstream has trended toward being safe and blending in (contrary to the ads selling the generic juice), and it's nice to be able to make a personal statement. It's also nice to hear "you smell so nice, I've never smelled it before, what are you wearing?"

 

[mdunn]

there are mainstream colognes being used here (polo green, for example), i guess the lesser known ones get more talk because we all know the mainstream ones

 

[bythbook]

a number of gents here do not shy away from Geoffrey Beene's Grey Flannel.

I recently tossed a number of department store scents - after I was introduced [here] to Penhaligon's, Czech & Speake, Knize Ten, etc. The Calvins and Ralphs and whatevers just couldn't compare - excepting, perhaps, Grey Flannel.


.

 

[masonjarjar]

If you look through the SOTD threads you'll see some mainstream frags here and there.

I think most guys here would prefer to spend a few extra bucks to get something distinctive.

 

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Hmm, interesting. I got a couple of samples included in an order I placed last week...Geo F. Trumper's Extract of Limes and Geo F. Trumper's Curzon. Would either of these be more attractive to the ladies than the Burberry London I wear currently?

 

[markb]

Hmm, interesting. I got a couple of samples included in an order I placed last week...Geo F. Trumper's Extract of Limes and Geo F. Trumper's Curzon. Would either of these be more attractive to the ladies than the Burberry London I wear currently?

That would depend entirely upon the lady.

 

[kingfisher]

Hmm, interesting. I got a couple of samples included in an order I placed last week...Geo F. Trumper's Extract of Limes and Geo F. Trumper's Curzon. Would either of these be more attractive to the ladies than the Burberry London I wear currently?

Hard to say. Do YOU like them?

I like Extract of Limes and despise Curzon. I wouldn't wear the latter if you paid me. But that's just me.

You should wear what you like.

 

[Hoos]

Some of the mainstream colognes can be nice. I do like Burberry Brit. But for the most part I find mainstream (aka "department store") colognes to be thin, shallow scents and very “chemical”.

I strongly recommend samples. And not the kind where you get sprayed at the department store. Buy samples (sometimes you can get them for free) and try them at home, at your leisure. Something that may smell great for 15 minutes can start making you sick in 30 minutes. Or smell like bladder juice.

You can get sample sets from The Perfumed Court (among other places). But they do a good job of grouping things by scent type, and they also have some “beginner”/”intermediate” sets. Here’s a link to their Men’s Sample Sets.

The prices are a little high. Still, it’s better to spend $35 on samples and find one you like than $40 on a bottle you may hate.

 

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Some of the mainstream colognes can be nice. I do like Burberry Brit. But for the most part I find mainstream (aka "department store") colognes to be thin, shallow scents and very “chemical”.

I strongly recommend samples. And not the kind where you get sprayed at the department store. Buy samples (sometimes you can get them for free) and try them at home, at your leisure. Something that may smell great for 15 minutes can start making you sick in 30 minutes. Or smell like bladder juice.

You can get sample sets from The Perfumed Court (among other places). But they do a good job of grouping things by scent type, and they also have some “beginner”/”intermediate” sets. Here’s a link to their Men’s Sample Sets.

The prices are a little high. Still, it’s better to spend $35 on samples and find one you like than $40 on a bottle you may hate.

Thanks for that great link!