One of the most important parts of any man’s outfit is the cologne he wears with it. Your fragrance can be an indication of character, a subtle sharpening of your style or an elegant touch of class to finish your choice of attire. A vital accessory without a doubt, but one that requires a delicate balance in the way you apply it and wear it, something that men can often find tricky to master. So we’ve put together three tips for wearing cologne that will help you feel fresh, sharp and smell great every time you use it.
1) Use The Right Cologne For The Right Situation
Different situations require the appropriate fragrance, there is very rarely one that suits any event regardless of context or style. Choosing the right scent comes down to understanding your style and what circumstance you’ll be wearing it in. A sunny afternoon with friends and drinks is suited to a light, citrus fragrance with fresh undertones, this type of fragrance also works well with outfits incorporating white or light pastel colours. Summer is the perfect time to be using fragrances like these as it helps you feel clean and cool even when the summer heat gets to you.
On the other side of the spectrum you have warmer, wood-based scents with musky hints that are perfect for big nights out and smart social events. They ensure a darker, more seductive character and compliment a gentleman’s evening style for the night ahead. These kind of colognes are especially suited to dark colours and smart tailoring, helping to sharpen up your outfit and add a dash of charisma to your style.
2) Understand That A Little Goes A Long Way
A common complaint about men is that, when applying cologne, they tend to go overboard on the amount they use. In the words of a friend of ours, “A girl doesn’t like it if you smell like you took a bath in it. Subtlety is key.” That’s what’s important to remember, being subtle is much better than going overboard. Following application, cologne works with your body’s skin cells to naturally intensify over time and become an overall scent that is both subtle and classy. So here are some tips on the correct ways to apply cologne:
- Behind your ears means that someone standing close to you or beside you will get a slight hint of your fragrance. One spray or dab per ear will be enough for this purpose.
- The chest area is a great place to apply as it has time to combine with your natural body scent and rise up to the collar of your shirt.
- Your wrists have a great deal of blood flowing under the skin which means there is a great deal of heat located there, as a result this helps release the fragrance of the cologne when applied there.
Most importantly, less is more so if you can’t smell it initially don’t worry, it’ll get stronger over time. Don’t apply more or you’ll overdo it.
3) Know The Language of Male Fragrances
There’s a great deal of language and a variety phrases used to describe certain types of fragrance and their scents, understanding them helps you select the right fragrance for you and your style. Here’s some of the basic terms you’ll often find in a cologne’s description.
- Spice – Fragrances described as spicy often carry a heat with them and are often very seductive, they’re also quite strong so be conservative when applying them.
- Wood – Wood-based colognes are often quite mature and subtle in their fragrance, great for when you’re wearing a suit or smart tailoring.
- Musk – One of the most iconic characteristics in male fragrances, great for nights out with a partner or dates.
- Citrus – Very light and fruity scents that are sharp and fresh, great for summer outfits and light daywear.
- Floral – An unusual characteristic in men’s cologne but one that can be very powerful when used correctly. Great for casual tailoring or quiet summer evenings.
So those are some of our top tips concerning applying and wearing men’s cologne. As usual if you’ve enjoyed the article then do feel free to like, comment and share this with your friends/followers. You can also sign-up to be notified of new posts and follow The Male Stylist activity. If you have any comments or tips that you’d like to add feel free to leave them in the comments below.
By Adam Walker
