If we’re being completely honest, it’s not enough that you should look good everyday. You should smell good, too. When considering how we present ourselves, from our outfits to our hairstyles – a signature scent is not to be skipped out on.
Enter, the wide and exciting world of fragrances. Frequently just referred to as “cologne” by most fellas, fragrances are an absolute essential to any man’s daily routine. They provide a finishing touch to any outfit, and can even help set the mood for the day going forward.
Fragrance Fundamentals
For the uninitiated, fragrances come in several “intensities” (meaning how strong they are) and generally fit under four primary scent families. For a more in-depth guide, check out this article we published a few months back. But otherwise, here’s a quick fragrance crash-course.
The lightest intensity you can get is eau fraiche, which is composed of 1% – 3% perfume oil, and typically lasts only for a very brief period of time.
Next up is eau de cologne, which contains 2% – 4% perfume oils, and usually lasts around two hours.
Eau de toilettes are one of the most common intensities, as they are made up of 5% – 15% pure perfume essence, and will normally last a moderate amount of time.
Perfume (eau de parfum) is on the stronger side. They’re made up of 15% – 20% pure perfume essence, and will often last between five and eight hours.
The strongest available intensity is perfume. These are the most concentrated, containing 20% – 30% pure perfume essence, and typically lasts for up to twenty-four hours.
Generally speaking, eau de toilettes and eau de parfums are the most highly recommended intensities, as others will often wear off too soon or linger a bit past their welcome.
Additionally, fragrances usually fall into one of four primary scent families: woody, floral, amber, and fresh. Wood-based scents are sometimes seen as the most masculine, however each scent category can offer surprisingly pleasant unisex fragrances to please just about anyone. It just takes a bit of experimentation.
However, some fragrances are best suited for specific seasons and climates types, not to mention certain occasions, as well. With summer on the way, you might be wondering which fragrance is right for you. Don’t worry, we’ve come prepared with a list.
So, without further ado, here are the top 10 men’s fragrances for summer 2024 – with a bit of advice on when and where to wear them. Each category contains two entries, but by all means feel free to experiment.
These aren’t hard rules on the designation of each listed fragrance. Rather, they're friendly suggestions. If you happen to discover your new favorite – enjoy it as you please!
#1: The Best Everyday, All-Purpose Summer Fragrance: Hermes H24
For most summer days, you want something that’s fresh, reliable, and universally flattering. Nothing too loud, but still distinct. A scent to conjure imagery of nature in a modern world, with a slightly metallic, technological wist.
To fill all these needs, look no further than Hermes H24. A relatively new fragrance released in 2022, this simple but mighty scent has, for lack of a better phrase, grabbed the fragrance world by the nose – and they refuse to give it back.
Men with all sorts of fragrance preferences have praised Hermes H24 for its aromatic, botanical freshness and its lively top notes. When in doubt of which fragrance to wear this summer, reach for Hermes H24. It won’t let you down.
#2: The Everyday Runner-Up: Ralph Lauren Polo Blue
Ralph gets it right. For another great everyday option, consider this classic all-timer. Polo Blue combines an invigorating mix of fresh citrus with geranium, oak, and more, to great effect.
Firmly placed in the fresh citrus scent family, this is a perfect scent for just about any summer day, and it is an enduring classic that has stood the test of time.
Wear it to grab brunch with your friends. Wear it to the tennis court. Wear it to that outdoor concert. It doesn’t matter – you’ll smell great.
#3: The Best Summer Date Fragrance: Cartier Déclaration
Typically, wood-based scents tend to read as more masculine. When taking that special someone out for an evening on the town this summer, you want to exude just the right, subtle degree of confidence – without sacrificing summer sensibilities.
That’s where Cartier Déclaration excels. This fragrance contains top notes of bitter orange and bergamot, before soothing down into traditionally masculine, amber notes at the base.
With a mix of cedar wood, vetiver and oak moss, there’s an undeniable year-round appeal to this scent, but the top notes make it just perfect for a romantic summer night, too. Your date will be impressed – take our word for it.
#4: The Summer Date Runner-Up: Tom Ford Azure Lime
Limes are a summer essential – a sentence no one may have ever said, but one that still more or less sounds correct. You put 'em in your cocktails, so why not your fragrances?
This scent by Tom Ford has powerful top notes of (you guessed it) lime, but is well counterbalanced by a classic sandalwood base. Highly masculine and perfect for a date, but with a twist of lime to keep up with a summery mood.
#5: The Best Summer Fragrance to Wear for a Job Interview: Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
On a job interview, you want to come off as confident, but not overpowering. Picking the right fragrance can be key to tying your image together into a complete picture, and to truly sell yourself.
For something that’s not too intense but universally appealing, consider Jo Malone London’s popular Wood Sage & Sea Salt fragrance.
This scent’s middle, heart note is sea salt, which evokes imagery of the fresh seaside and free-spirited nature. However, its base note of sage reinforces a confident, woody aroma that will make you come off as tasteful and tactful.
#6: The Job Interview Runner-Up: Maison Margiela REPLICA Sailing Day
A highly refined but adventurous fragrance, Sailing Day by Maison Margiela’s much-celebrated REPLICA line is a classic summer scent.
Reminiscent of days spent on a boat on the ocean, this fresh aquatic scent contains key notes of aquatic accord, coriander, and red seaweed essence.
It makes for a perfect interview scent because nothing about it is too loud or obnoxious. However, for those who do take notice of it, there’s an incredibly pleasant and memorable scent to be discovered and enjoyed, and one that is sure to leave a favorable impression.
#7: The Best Summer Fragrance to Wear to The Office: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio
So, it looks like you landed the job! Awesome. But you might be trying to discover a great fragrance to wear to work every day. An easy recommendation? Can’t get much more classic than Acqua di gio by Giorgio Armani.
Most users of this fragrance note that it’s remarkably easy to get used to. Which is great for the office, because while you want to smell good in the boardroom, what you don’t want is for people to submit complaints to HR about your overwhelming cologne usage.
Acqua di Gio has been a staple since 1996, and combines marine top notes with a cedarwood base note. Perfect for summer, and all year-round.
#8: The Office Runner-Up: Calvin Klein CK One
For something minimalist yet still summer-adjacent, Calvin Klein CK One is an excellent option. It’s undeniably in tune with the spirit of the season, with opening top notes filled with hints of mandarin orange, papaya, lemon, and more.
The heart contains nutmeg, rose, and other scents while the base is composed of musk and amber, retaining a masculine foundation.
Perfect for any time of day, and hardly too bold to wear to work, CK One should most certainly be on your radar this summer.
#9: The Best Fragrance for Summer Weddings: Yves Saint Laurent L’HOMME
Yves Saint Laurent fragrances are crowd favorites for a reason, and their classic L’HOMME scent truly delivers.
Perfect for formal events but totally wearable for everyday use as well, its top notes of lemon, ginger, and bergamot are key players in a classic summer scent profile.
The tonka bean, cedar and tahitian vetiver base keeps things refreshing yet masculine, providing an all-day fragrance that works in any setting – but excels formally.
#10: The Summer Wedding Runner-Up: Coach Green
Don’t overlook this powerhouse fragrance – it packs a pretty great punch of kiwi in its top note, complemented by crisp bergamot. The middle note contains rosemary and geranium, while the base is made up of crystal moss and cedarwood.
While certainly rich and earthy in its scent profile, this fragrance is the perfect blend of woody and fruity – and will feel right at place at any summer event.
A Final “Note” of Advice
While we stand by each and every one of these fragrance recommendations, we absolutely do encourage you to visit your local retailer to try them out for yourself. The best way to determine if you like a scent is to smell it up close.
Nearly all of the fragrances listed above are universal crowd-pleasers that have won some serious popularity contests, so it’s likely you’ll enjoy them, but it still pays to test them out in-person.
Sometimes, scents react differently between people. Maybe you’ll discover that while you enjoy the top note of one fragrance, you find the base note wearisome after a while. Or you might realize that your favorite scent family isn’t the one you thought it was.
Regardless, the ideal way to choose the right fragrance for yourself this summer, and for any season or occasion, is to try it out! Who knows, you might find something new that truly helps you smell your greatest.
