Cologne And Collars: A Guide To Wearing Fragrance

Knowing how to wear cologne with a collar is an art form. While it's tempting to spray your fragrance directly onto your clothes, this is not advisable. Cologne is designed to interact with the oils and pH of your skin, enhancing and prolonging the scent. Applying cologne to your clothing can also cause staining and discolouration. Instead, target the pulse points on your body – the wrists, neck, chest, inner elbows, and forearms – and always apply to clean, dry skin.

How to Wear Cologne with a Collar

Apply cologne to your collar, but not your clothes

While it may be tempting to spritz your cologne directly onto your clothes, this is not advisable. By doing so, you are preventing the cologne from mixing with your natural oils, which is what gives it its unique scent. This can also prevent the scent from going through its various stages, resulting in a flat and one-dimensional fragrance. Furthermore, spraying cologne directly onto clothing can be harmful to some fabrics, causing stains or discolouration.

So, where should you apply your cologne? The best spots are the warmest areas of your body, such as your neck, chest, wrists, inner elbows, and forearms. These areas will help diffuse the scent throughout the day and allow it to meld with your body chemistry, creating a signature scent.

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body. This distance allows for a focused application without over or under-concentrating the scent. Start with a light application—one spray on the neck or forearms, for example. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area and spray there the next time you apply.

Remember, when it comes to cologne, less is more. You want your fragrance to be a subtle enhancement to your image, not an overpowering presence that assaults the senses of those around you.

Focus on the neck and pulse points

When applying cologne, it's important to focus on the neck and pulse points. These are the warmest parts of your body, which helps to diffuse the scent throughout the day.

Pulse points are areas of the body that give off more heat, such as your neck, wrists, inner elbows, and chest. The heat from these areas will help your cologne spread continuously throughout the day.

When applying cologne to your neck, hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away. This will ensure that the scent is not too strong or too faint. Start with a light application—you can always add more if needed. A single spritz on your neck or wrists is usually enough. If you're using a non-spray cologne, you can apply it to your wrists and then dab your wrists together before spreading it to your neck and chest.

It's important to remember that cologne should be discovered, not announced. Only those in close proximity should be able to smell your cologne, and even then, it should be a pleasant hint. You don't want to overwhelm people with your scent.

If you're going to be wearing cologne for an extended period, you may need to reapply it. However, just because you can't smell it anymore doesn't mean that others can't. So, be cautious when reapplying and only apply to one or two pulse points.

By applying cologne to your neck and pulse points, you can ensure that your scent lasts all day without being overpowering.

Don't overdo it

The key to wearing cologne is to be subtle and understated. Cologne should complement and enhance your style, not overpower it. Remember, with fragrance, less is more. It is best to start light and reapply as needed.

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches from your body. If you spray any farther away, the scent may dissipate too quickly. Any closer, and you risk over-applying.

If you are using a spray, do not point it at yourself. Spray it in the air and walk through it. If it is not a spray, use your fingertips to dab it on lightly. Good colognes are super-concentrated, so don't apply too much in one spot.

If you are wearing a collared shirt, do not spray the cologne directly onto it. This can damage the fabric. Instead, spray the cologne on your skin, on your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, and chest. These areas generate heat and will help to diffuse the fragrance.

If you think you have overdone it, there are ways to tone down an overwhelming scent. You can dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and dab it on the areas where you applied too much cologne. Non-scented lotion or baby wipes can also help to moderate a strong smell.

Apply after a shower

Applying cologne after a shower is a great way to ensure your skin is clean and ready for fragrance application. The shower washes away any lingering odours and opens your pores, allowing your skin to better absorb the scent. It is important to completely dry off before applying cologne, as damp skin can prohibit absorption.

Choosing where to apply

When applying cologne, it is best to focus on the warmest areas of your body, such as your neck, chest, wrists, inner elbows, and forearms. These areas, also known as pulse points, give off more heat, which helps spread your scent throughout the day. Applying cologne to these areas also allows the fragrance to interact with your body chemistry, creating a signature scent unique to you.

How much to apply

It is recommended to start with a light application and build up if needed. One or two sprays on one or two warm areas are usually enough, and you can always add more if you feel it is necessary. It is important to remember that cologne should be discovered, not announced, and only those in close proximity should be able to smell it.

Other tips

• Avoid rubbing cologne into your skin, as this can make the scent fade faster and change how the fragrance blends with your natural aroma.
• Hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your body when applying to ensure an even application.
• Reapply cologne during the second half of the day if the scent has dissipated, but do so with caution. Just because you can't smell it doesn't mean others can't, as you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often.
• Avoid mixing fragrances by using neutral, unscented, or lightly scented versions of other products such as body wash, soap, lotion, aftershave, and deodorant.
• Avoid applying cologne directly to your clothing, as it is designed to interact with the natural oils on your skin. However, if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to certain ingredients, it is perfectly fine to apply cologne to your clothes.

Spritz from a distance

Spritzing your cologne from a distance is an important part of applying the perfect amount of fragrance. If you spray too close to your skin, you risk applying too much, which can be overpowering for both yourself and those around you.

The ideal distance to hold the bottle from your body is between three and six inches. This allows the cologne to form a light mist that gently blankets your skin, rather than a concentrated puddle that may drip down your skin and soak into your clothes.

It's also important to spritz from a distance to avoid getting too much cologne on one area of your body. By holding the bottle a few inches away, you give the liquid a chance to spread out and lightly cover your skin. This helps to ensure an even application and prevents you from using too much in one spot.

Additionally, spritzing from a distance helps to avoid wasting your cologne. If you hold the bottle too close, you may end up with a concentrated stream that doesn't allow the fragrance to evaporate and release its scent effectively.

When applying cologne, it's best to start with a light application and then build up if needed. Begin with one or two sprays on your wrists, neck, or other pulse points. Give the scent a moment to settle, and then assess if you need to apply more.

Remember, it's easy to add more cologne, but you can't remove it once it's on. So, spritz from a distance, and you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect fragrance application for you.

Frequently asked questions