Editor’s Picks: Our Favorite Scents for Men

“St. John’s Vetiver is a fragrance that’s perfect for the dad who loves the course almost as much as his family. A buttoned-up, clean and fresh smell that would be no stranger at a golf club, this is the perfect scent for any dad who can’t wait to get a good 18 in. Fresh-cut grass and light notes of lemon make this the ultimate Father’s Day fragrance.”

—Rowan Lyman, staff writer

“Dior Sauvage is an excellent choice for anyone who goes a little against the grain. Calabrian Bergamot and pink pepper create a spicy, welcoming scent that feels just as rock and roll as the ads suggest. It really is the perfect fragrance for the dad still rocking out to the classics.”

—Rowan Lyman, staff writer

“I love 18.21 Man Made Cologne. The sweet tobacco smell is intoxicating with its amber warm fragrance that will have you coming back to spritz again and again.”

—Sarah Eggenberger, senior editor-at-large

“My husband is not very picky when it comes to fragrance—he just wants to smell ‘good.’ For anyone who have similar men in their life, a fragrance sampler like the Sephora Favorites Cologne Sampler Set could be a great gift idea. This is especially true if the man travels often because the sample-size scents are so easy to throw in a dopp kit, rather than worrying about breaking a full-size glass bottle of cologne. I also love that the sampler comes with 12 different scents, and then once you find your favorite, you can redeem the included certificate for the full-size at no extra cost.”

—Britt Fallon, beauty director

“The brand describes Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum’s citrus-woody fragrance as being one for the ‘accomplished, self-made man,’ and I couldn’t agree more. It has that addictive quality that men love wearing and women love smelling. My husband loves that the bottle is ‘simple and masculine,’ too.”

—Britt Fallon, beauty director

“I don’t think my dad has ever worn a fragrance in his life, but if he did, I would highly, highly recommend the new Dolce&Gabbana Beauty Light Blue Summer Vibes. Like the name suggests, it is the perfect summer scent, and the bottle is literally a piece of artwork.”

—Liz Ritter, executive editor

“My dad has worn Calvin Klein Eternity for as long as I can remember. If you’re shopping for someone who likes a subtle, masculine, clean fragrance or is just looking to get into cologne, this is a great starting point.”

—Isabelle Buneo, editorial assistant

“Not only is Molton Brown Wild Mint & Lavandin perfectly warm, fresh and creamy—it’s more androgynous too, so it’s great for someone who prefers a less musky cologne—the packaging is so luxe and looks great on any vanity.”

—Isabelle Buneo, editorial assistant

“I love a good story behind a scent. Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum is a tribute to the hangout spot where the founders of Diptyque used to get together. It has a nostalgic feeling of an old bar, perfect for the dad who appreciates a good cigar. With tonka bean, cedar, jasmine, and juniper berries, it evokes a fragrance reminiscent of tobacco smoke and burnished wood, delivering a certain air of old school charm.”

—Tatiana Bido, aesthetic content manager

“From legacy label Krigler, this is a scent to be treasured by a fragrance connoisseur who loves art and history. With spicy black pepper, cardamom, and nutmeg mixed with woody musk, cedar wood, and patchouli, all with a splash of zesty orange, Krigler Monsieur Dada 18 stands out as a bold, masculine scent. Created back in 1918, it’s an ode to the Dadaism movement, which is a super cool origin story and imagine Dali and March. This scent has an unexpected, artistic vibe that makes it a as unique as the art it’s inspired by.”

—Tatiana Bido, aesthetic content manager

“My husband originally gravitated towards Coach For Men Eau de Toilette years ago because of the bottle but years later, it’s become his daily driver. Sophisticated without being too buttoned up, this sharp yet woodsy scent is a solid option for the man in your life looking for an everyday scent.”

—Danielle Dooley, director, digital content