Timeless men’s fragrances from the 1970s and 1980s

classic men's fragrances from the 1970s and the 1980s

Today we draw inspiration from the style bible Gentleman and the perfumes that author Bernhard Roetzel has chosen to call timeless fragrances. There’s something very special about the perfumes produced in the 1970s and 1980s. Often these are characterised by being strongly oriental and woody in nature, which is in stark contrast to most of the perfumes being made today.

Of course, not everyone likes them – in fact, you often either love them or hate them. For me personally, as a 70s person who grew up in the happy 80s, these fragrances bring back strong memories of my childhood. The 1980s is for me a decade characterised by an almost naive carefree attitude, during which most things seemed possible.

It is therefore perhaps not surprising that in these circumstances I absolutely love the spicy and aromatic scents associated with this decade. Consequently, my latest additions to my perfume wardrobe are also two fragrances that are largely associated with the 1980s, even though one of them was launched in the 1970s. They are the classics Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene and Giorgio for Men by Giorgio Beverly Hills.

Here you find the book Gentleman from Bernhard Roetzel:

The oldest perfume still in production

Classic men’s fragrance from the 1970s

classic men's fragrances from the 1970s

Grey Flannel EdT by Geoffrey Beene is a sensual oriental and masculine woody fragrance that was launched in 1975. Although the dark glass bottle seems somewhat modest, the same cannot be said for the fragrance. It is a unique fragrance with a strong personality that I have not encountered before or since in men’s perfumes.

A classically elegant fragrance, where a rich and earthy violet scent immediately emerges and then transitions to more woody notes of oakmoss, vetiver and cedar. One of the most masculine fragrances on the market.

Here you find Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene online:

Classic men’s fragrance from the the 1980s

classic men's fragrances from the 1980s

Giorgio for Men by Giorgio Beverly Hills is also an oriental and woody fragrance. The name Giorgio itself is most likely associated with Giorgio Armani’s now huge perfume empire of fragrances for both men and women. However, Giorgio Beverly Hills has its own place in the history of perfume classics thanks to this wonderful fragrance.

Giorgio for Men was launched in 1984 and is very representative of the oriental fragrances of the 1980s. It starts with fruity and citrusy notes, then turns to more woody notes of oakmoss, musk and tonka bean. An undiscovered perfume among many of the Swedish men who like the unique scents of the 1980s.

Here you find Giorgio for Men by Giorgio Beverly Hills online:

classic men's fragrances from the 1970s and the 1980s

Some of the timeless classics mentioned in the book Gentleman. Paco Rabanne’s classically soapy and spicy Pour Homme EdT launched in 1973 is another that gets a mention.

Here you find Paco Rabanne Pour Homme EdT online:

classic scents for men

Acqua di Parma’s Colonia EdC is a fragrance that has long hung in my perfume wardrobe and one of my absolute favourites. The classic Eau Sauvage EdT by Christian Dior is one of those fragrances that most books on perfume mention as a groundbreaking perfume. A perfume that, when it came out in 1966, broke the very mindset of what a male perfume should be with its freshness and floral elements.

Here you find Acqua di Parma Colonia EdC online:

Read about timeless and classic perfumes and the famous wearers.

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