Unisex Scents: Women Wearing Men's Fragrances

There are no rules when it comes to fragrances and who can wear them. The idea that certain scents are male or female is largely a marketing ploy, with gender stereotyping galore. Perfumer Mark Buxton sums it up well: If you like a specific smell, wear it. What's masculine or feminine in the perfume world anyway?

Many fragrances are shared and loved by both genders, and modern times see certain scents formerly exclusively associated with women now appearing in the men's section. Men's fragrances typically include woods, spices, citrus fruits, and herbs, while women's fragrances often have floral, musky, vanilla, or powdery notes, or they might have a fruity or sweet scent. However, these days, gender-specific perfumes have a lot in common, and many modern colognes for men generally have floral or citrusy notes.

So, if a woman likes a masculine fragrance, she should go for it!

Gendered scents: a marketing ploy?

The notion that fragrances are gendered is a relatively modern concept. In the past, gender was not associated with scent. However, over time, certain fragrances became associated with specific genders, largely due to marketing and gender stereotyping. This has led to the idea that certain scents are inherently "masculine" or "feminine," and these stereotypes are often reinforced through advertising and packaging.

Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes

Traditionally, sweet, floral, or citrusy scents have been associated with women, while stronger, spicier scents with notes of musk have been linked to men. However, these associations are not set in stone and are starting to break down as gender stereotypes evolve. Both men's and women's fragrances often share common ingredients, and it is not uncommon for men's perfumes to include "feminine" notes like sweetness and florals or for women's fragrances to incorporate "masculine" notes like spice and musk.

Exploring a World of Possibilities

The idea that fragrances are gendered is being challenged by many, including perfumers themselves. Perfumer Mark Buxton questions the notion of gender in the perfume world, asking, "If you like a specific smell, wear it. What's masculine or feminine about it anyway?" Embracing this mindset opens up a whole new world of possibilities for both men and women to explore.

Individual Preferences and Body Chemistry

At the end of the day, fragrance is a matter of individual preference and body chemistry. What may smell pleasant on one person may not work as well on another, regardless of gender. People should feel free to wear whatever scent they enjoy, regardless of whether it is marketed towards a particular gender. As one fragrance enthusiast puts it, "If you smell good, then you smell good... Wear what you like."

Challenging Societal Norms

While societal norms and cultural biases may still influence how we perceive gendered fragrances, it is important to remember that these norms are not static and can change over time. As individuals become more open-minded and confident in expressing their true selves, the boundaries between "masculine" and "feminine" fragrances may blur even further. As one commenter aptly puts it, "Life is too short to stress about such things."

Body chemistry and fragrance

It is important to remember that colognes and perfumes are not one-size-fits-all. The unique body chemistry of each person will interact with a fragrance, resulting in a slightly different scent. This is why it is always recommended to try a fragrance on your skin before committing to a purchase.

Gender Stereotypes in Fragrance

Traditionally, sweet, floral, and citrusy scents have been associated with women, while stronger scents with musk and spice notes have been linked to men. However, these stereotypes are being challenged as gender norms evolve. Many modern fragrances designed for men contain floral or citrus notes, and women's fragrances often incorporate spicy and musky notes.

Exploring Fragrances Beyond Gender Boundaries

Some people believe that fragrances should be chosen based on individual preferences rather than gender labels, which are largely a marketing strategy. Exploring fragrances typically associated with the opposite gender can lead to exciting discoveries and a wider range of options.

The Impact of Body Chemistry

When a fragrance is applied to the skin, its scent may be altered due to each person's unique body chemistry. This means that the same fragrance can smell slightly different on different people. Factors such as body odour, skin type, and pH levels can influence how a fragrance develops and diffuses over time.

Embracing Individuality

Ultimately, fragrance selection should be guided by personal preference and enjoyment. If a particular scent appeals to you, regardless of its intended gender, there is no reason not to wear it. Fragrances are a form of self-expression, and embracing individuality and uniqueness can be empowering.

Gendered scents: a modern concept?

The idea of gendered scents is a highly contested topic. Some people believe that fragrances should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their gender, while others argue that certain scents are inherently more masculine or feminine. Ultimately, the decision to wear a fragrance comes down to personal preference and comfort level.

Historically, the concept of gendered scents is relatively new. In the past, gender was not associated with scent, and people were free to experiment with different fragrances without worrying about social norms and expectations. However, over time, the fragrance industry has developed and marketed specific scents towards men and women, creating a divide that may not have existed organically. This divide is often based on stereotypes and assumptions about what each gender prefers or should prefer. For example, sweet, floral, and citrus scents are typically associated with women, while stronger, spicier, and muskier scents are linked to men.

However, these associations are not set in stone, and there is significant overlap between the ingredients used in men's and women's fragrances. Many modern colognes for men, for instance, incorporate floral and citrus notes, which are typically considered feminine. Similarly, fragrances aimed at women may include spicy and musky notes, which are usually associated with men's colognes. This overlap challenges the idea of rigidly gendered scents and suggests that the concept is more fluid and open to interpretation.

Additionally, the way a fragrance smells can vary depending on the wearer's body chemistry. The same perfume can smell different on different people due to individual chemical makeup, further complicating the idea of gendered scents. After all, what may smell sweet and floral on one person could take on a spicier, more masculine tone on another. This subjectivity and variability in scent experiences further reinforce the idea that fragrances should not be limited by gender.

Ultimately, the decision to wear a particular fragrance comes down to personal preference. If someone, regardless of their gender, enjoys a specific scent, they should feel free to wear it. As perfumer Mark Buxton aptly put it, "If you like a specific smell, wear it. What's masculine or feminine in the perfume world anyway?" Breaking free from the constraints of gendered scents opens up a whole new world of possibilities and allows individuals to express themselves more authentically through their choice of fragrance.

So, the next time you're out shopping for a fragrance, don't be afraid to explore the "other" section. You might just find your new signature scent!

Unisex fragrances

There are many fragrances that are considered unisex, and some fragrances that are marketed towards one gender can still be worn by anyone. For example, Chanel No 5, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, and Le Labo Santal 33 are all considered unisex fragrances.

Wearing a fragrance that is marketed towards a different gender is a personal choice and can be a way to express oneself. Some people may feel hesitant to wear a fragrance that is not typically associated with their gender, but ultimately, the most important thing is to wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident.

Experimenting with different fragrances can be a fun way to explore new scents and find what works best for you. It can be helpful to try the fragrance on your skin to see how it interacts with your body chemistry. There are also many online resources and communities, such as r/fragrance on Reddit, where people can discuss and share their experiences with different fragrances.

Ultimately, fragrance is a personal choice, and there are no rules about which fragrances can be worn by whom. Unisex fragrances offer a way to explore a variety of scents without the constraints of gender stereotypes, and they can be a great option for anyone looking to expand their fragrance collection.

Gender-specific scents: a matter of personal preference?

There is a growing trend of men wearing women's fragrances and vice versa, with some perfume brands even repackaging and marketing formerly gendered scents as unisex. But is this a recent phenomenon, or have people always been willing to experiment with gender-specific fragrances?

A modern phenomenon?

Some people argue that the gendering of fragrances is a modern marketing ploy, with perfumers throughout history creating scents with a particular gender in mind. However, the modern-day consumer is becoming increasingly likely to ignore gender stereotypes and experiment with fragrances from the 'opposite' aisle.

Breaking down gender stereotypes

Traditionally, sweet, floral, and citrusy scents have been associated with women, while stronger scents such as musk and spices have been equated with men. But as gender stereotypes break down, these rules are no longer seen as vital to follow. Many modern men's colognes, for example, contain floral or citrusy notes, while women's fragrances often contain notes of spice and musk.

A matter of body chemistry

It's also worth noting that colognes and perfumes will smell different on each person due to individual body chemistry. Both men and women's body scents are very different, with men's perfumes tending to be made up of woods, spices, citrus fruits, and herbs, and women's perfumes often containing floral, musky, vanilla, or powdery notes.

A middle ground

Today, the market hosts a wide range of perfumes that strike a middle ground, ideal for both genders. So, a man wearing a 'woman's' fragrance or a woman wearing a 'man's' fragrance is no longer unusual and is likely to become even more common in the future.

A matter of personal preference?

Ultimately, whether or not to wear a gender-specific fragrance comes down to personal preference. Some people may prefer to stick to the traditional masculine or feminine attributes of perfumes, while others may enjoy experimenting with scents from the opposite gender. As one fragrance lover commented, "If you like it, wear it. What's masculine or feminine in the perfume world anyway?"

Frequently asked questions