The Timeless Grey Flannel: A Classic Fragrance For Men?

Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene is a unique, polarising, and affordable cologne. It was first released in 1975 and has been described as a masculine floral fragrance cut by sharp galbanum and neroli.

The cologne has a strong, bitter, green, and citrusy opening. The scent then develops into a soft embrace of violet and a powdery dry-down. It is a long-lasting fragrance with moderate sillage.

Some people dislike the scent, describing it as repulsive, horrible, and awful. However, others love it, calling it a masterpiece, timeless, and an acquired taste.

Overall, Grey Flannel is a distinctive, classic, and affordable cologne that is worth trying.

Grey Flannel's scent notes and composition

Grey Flannel is a woody oriental fragrance with a distinctive scent profile. It opens with a sharp, green, and citrusy burst of galbanum, petitgrain, neroli, bergamot, and lemon. The middle notes are a complex floral bouquet of violet, iris, geranium, mimosa, narcissus, sage, and rose. The base notes are oakmoss, vetiver, cedar, tonka bean, and almond, which give the fragrance a warm and woody finish.

The scent is often described as fresh, clean, and soapy, with a unique, vintage feel. It is a polarizing fragrance, with some finding it too harsh and old-fashioned, while others appreciate its complexity and sophistication. The current formulation is considered to be tamer than the original, with a better balance of floral and woody notes, making it more wearable and less overpowering.

The history of the cologne

The history of cologne can be traced back to ancient civilisations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Arabia, where perfume was used in religious ceremonies and as a symbol of nobility. The first recorded use of perfume was in Egypt around 2000 BC, with the first perfume maker believed to be a woman named Tapputi.

Over time, the use of perfume spread to other ancient civilisations, including Persia, Rome, India, and China. In these cultures, perfume was used for hygiene, cleanliness, and as a luxury item.

By the time of the Renaissance, perfume had become a staple in European fashion, with nobles and royalty favouring complex scents derived from animal and plant ingredients.

In the 18th century, Italian perfume maker Giovanni Maria Farina created the first eau de cologne, a spirit-citrus perfume that became popular across Europe. Since then, cologne has become a generic term for scented formulations, with the term typically referring to perfumes marketed towards men in contemporary American English.

The cologne's designer, Geoffrey Beene

Beene founded his firm, Geoffrey Beene, Inc., in New York City in 1963, in partnership with Teal Traina's Leo Orlandi in a Seventh Avenue showroom. A year later, he was awarded the Coty American Fashion Critics' Award, one of the most prestigious awards in fashion. His first collection was featured on the cover of Vogue Magazine.

Beene was one of New York's most famous fashion designers, recognised for his artistic and technical skills and for creating simple, comfortable, and dressy women's wear. He challenged the American fashion establishment by creating haute couture for women and classic, superbly tailored styles for men that married comfort and luxury.

Beene's clients included Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, Faye Dunaway, and Glenn Close. He was known as both an innovator and a teacher, with several of his former apprentices going on to become successful fashion designers themselves.

In addition to his work in fashion, Beene also created the cologne Grey Flannel, which was launched in 1975 and contained notes of orange, lemon, rose, geranium, sandalwood, and cedarwood. It is considered a classic men's fragrance and won a FIFI Award in 1976.

Beene passed away on September 28, 2004, from pneumonia, as a complication of squamous-cell carcinoma, at his home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

The cologne's price and value for money

The cologne's price ranges from $11 to $20 for a 4oz bottle and $17 to $23 for an 8oz bottle. The cologne is available on Amazon, FragranceNet, FragranceX, and Jomashop.com. The cologne is also available at Walmart and independent fragrance retailers.

The cologne is considered to be a good value for money, with some reviews claiming that it is "unbeatable" and "amazing for the price point". The cologne is also considered to be a good refresher scent and is recommended for everyday use. However, some reviews claim that the cologne is not worth buying, with one review stating that it is "not worth the bottle".

The cologne's packaging

The cologne comes in a dark green-grey bottle, reminiscent of the colour of flannel. The bottle is simple and elegant in its design, with a clean and crisp silver and white label. The cologne is also packaged with a flannel shroud that covers the bottle, with a rope-like pull string. The flannel shroud has a high-quality feel, and the drawstring makes it easy to carry. The packaging is masculine and somewhat proper, and the dark green-grey bottle is simple yet polished and elegant.

Frequently asked questions