The Scents Of 1953: What Colognes Did Men Wear?

The world of perfumery has a rich history, with fragrances being used for thousands of years for practical, spiritual, and sanitary purposes. In 1953, two years before Chanel's first-ever men's scent, Chanel Pour Monsieur, was created, a fragrance called 1953 by Legacy was launched. This oriental woody scent, with notes of saffron, labdanum, birch tar, benzoin, and agarwood, was released in 2019 and is designed for both men and women. While the concept of signature scents is considered modern, it has been around for a long time, with famous figures throughout history associating themselves with specific fragrances.

John F. Kennedy wore Eight&Bob

John F. Kennedy wore Eight & Bob, a cologne with a fascinating backstory. The story goes that in 1937, Kennedy, then a college student, was vacationing in the French Riviera. There, he struck up a conversation with a Frenchman named Albert Fouquet about the fragrance he was wearing. Intrigued by the scent, Kennedy asked Fouquet for a sample.

Upon returning to the United States, Kennedy wrote to Fouquet, requesting eight samples of the cologne and "if your production allows, another one for Bob", referring to his brother, Robert Kennedy. Thus, the fragrance was labelled "Eight & Bob", and a brand was born. The Kennedy family has never confirmed or denied this story, but it has become a part of the fragrance's allure.

The ingredients of Eight & Bob remain a closely guarded secret, but it is known to contain extracts of the "Andrea" plant, discovered by Fouquet on a trip to Chile. This plant can only be harvested in December and January, and only 7% of the harvest is usable, making the fragrance a rare and exclusive product.

The scent has been described as a woody vanilla, a unisex fragrance that is "dapper" and "classy". The perfume is sold in a hardcover book, a nod to the clever packaging technique used by Fouquet's butler, Philippe, who hid the bottles inside books during World War II to prevent them from being seized by the Nazis.

The re-release of Eight & Bob allows people to wear the same fragrance as John F. Kennedy, offering a unique connection to the past and a piece of history.

Elvis Presley wore Brut

Elvis Aaron Presley, known as the "King of Rock and Roll", was an American singer and actor regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Presley's energized performances, sexually provocative dance moves, and interpretations of songs across colour lines brought both great success and initial controversy.

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935, Presley and his family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was 13. There, his music career began in 1954 at Sun Records, where he was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo fusion of country music and rhythm and blues.

In 1955, drummer D.J. Fontana joined Presley's band, and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage Presley for the rest of his career. Presley's first RCA Victor single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number-one hit in the US. Within a year, RCA Victor sold ten million Presley singles.

Presley's fame continued to grow with successful television appearances and chart-topping records. However, his performative style and promotion of African-American music led to him being widely considered a threat to the moral well-being of white American youth. Despite the controversy, Presley became the leading figure of the newly popular rock and roll genre.

In 1958, Presley was drafted into the US Army, and his career was put on hold until he was honorably discharged in 1960. He returned to the music scene with a number-one hit, "Stuck on You", and soon after, he made a television appearance on "The Frank Sinatra Timex Special", also known as "Welcome Home Elvis".

Presley went on to star in numerous films, including "Jailhouse Rock" (1957), "Blue Hawaii" (1961), and "Viva Las Vegas" (1964). However, these films were mostly critically derided, and his music during this period was largely tied to movie soundtracks.

In 1968, Presley returned to the stage with an acclaimed NBC television comeback special, "Elvis", which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. This marked the beginning of Presley's comeback, and he went on to release acclaimed secular, non-soundtrack albums such as "From Elvis in Memphis".

In the early 1970s, Presley continued to tour extensively, and his stage performances became increasingly flamboyant. He embraced jumpsuits, often in white, which have become a defining part of his image. Designed by Bill Belew and embroidered by Gene Doucette, these outfits allowed Presley to move freely onstage while making a glamorous, gender-fluid statement.

Presley's influence extended beyond music, as he helped redefine what it meant to dress like a man. He made it acceptable for young men to dress differently from their fathers, embracing flamboyant and androgynous styles.

On August 16, 1977, Presley died unexpectedly at his Graceland estate at the age of 42 due to years of prescription drug abuse and unhealthy eating. He remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sale estimates ranging from 500 million to over a billion records worldwide. His legacy continues to endure, and he is credited with shaping generations of music and fashion.

Frank Sinatra wore Yardley's English Lavender and Aqua Lavanda by Puig

Frank Sinatra, known for his immaculate sense of style, wore two distinct colognes during his career. The first was Yardley's English Lavender, a fragrance for men that was sold from the 1920s or '30s until the end of the '50s. After Yardley's English Lavender was discontinued, Sinatra switched to Aqua Lavanda by Puig, a Spanish brand.

Aqua Lavanda by Puig is an aromatic fougère fragrance for men, first launched in 1940. It features top notes of lavender, rosemary, and bergamot; middle notes of geranium and nutmeg; and base notes of oakmoss, cedar, musk, and tonka bean. The scent is elegant and understated, with a slight undertone of spice, likely from the sage and cedarwood. It is a subtle, classy, and very natural-smelling fragrance with a fresh-out-of-the-shower feel.

Sinatra's choice of cologne reflected his dislike of strong scents. He is said to have regularly teased fellow performer Sammy Davis about his choice of fragrances. Aqua Lavanda by Puig is a light, summery, or springtime scent, but it has enough personality to be worn year-round. It is a delicate scent with a subtle sillage and moderate projection, making it perfect for work or social occasions.

The glass bottle of Aqua Lavanda by Puig is considered more intense than the tall plastic bottle of shower gel. The glass bottle does not have an atomizer or sprayer but has an open neck, as was common with bottles of splash. The plastic bottle is considered a weaker concentration.

Winston Churchill wore Tabarome by Creed

Tabarome is an aromatic fougere fragrance for men, with top notes of tangerine and bergamot, a middle note of ginger, and base notes of tobacco, sandalwood, ambergris, leather and patchouli. The name Tabarome honours the tobacco aroma that gives the fragrance a touch of luxury.

The cologne was originally created for a British statesman known for his love of brandy and fine cigars. It is said that Winston Churchill wore the vintage versions of Tabarome, which was originally created in 1875.

The scent is described as warm, masculine, and grown-up. It is a mature scent, best suited for men over 40 years old. It is a signature scent, exuding class, confidence, and sophistication. The fragrance is best worn in the fall and winter seasons, as it has a warm and spicy aroma.

The performance of the cologne is moderate, with a longevity of around 6 hours. The projection is soft, sitting close to the skin. Overall, Tabarome by Creed is an elegant and refined fragrance, perfect for a mature and sophisticated gentleman.

Clint Eastwood wears Dirt by The Demeter Fragrance Library

Clint Eastwood, the legendary American actor, director, and producer, is known for many things, but did you know that he is also a fan of unique fragrances? Specifically, Eastwood has been known to wear "Dirt" by The Demeter Fragrance Library. This unusual scent is an aromatic woody fragrance for both men and women, inspired by the scent of earth and soil.

The Demeter Fragrance Library, founded in 1993 by ex-Kiehl's perfumer Christopher Brosius and Christopher Gable, is a company that specialises in "bottling" everyday odours into wearable colognes. Their first three fragrances, "Dirt," "Grass," and "Tomato," were launched in 1996 and quickly gained popularity, leading to the creation of other unique scents such as "Gin & Tonic," "Baby Powder," and "Play-Doh."

"Dirt" by Demeter is an emblematic fragrance that captures the scent of turned earth with a touch of last season's corn stalks. It is meant to evoke the image of plowing fields in the Northeast U.S. in April. The scent is available in different forms, including cologne sprays, bath and body oils, purse sprays, and perfume oil rolls.

While some may find the idea of wearing a fragrance called "Dirt" unappealing, others appreciate its uniqueness and photorealism. Some reviewers describe the scent as calming, grounding, and surprisingly wearable, evoking memories of playing outdoors as a child. However, it is important to note that the longevity of Demeter fragrances is shorter compared to traditional perfumes, with some reviewers mentioning that they need to reapply every hour or so.

Clint Eastwood's choice of fragrance may seem unexpected, but it showcases his willingness to embrace unconventional scents. "Dirt" by The Demeter Fragrance Library offers a unique olfactory experience, bringing to mind images of fresh soil and outdoor adventures.

A Brief History of Men's Fragrances in the 1950s

The 1950s marked a significant decade for men's colognes, with several iconic fragrances being introduced during this period. Here's a brief overview:

• 1955: Chanel's first-ever men's scent, "Chanel Pour Monsieur," is launched. It becomes known as the "reference chypre" due to its skilful blend of citrus and wood notes.
• 1959: German house Mäurer & Wirtz launches "Tabac Original."

These fragrances from the 1950s laid the foundation for the evolution of men's colognes in subsequent decades, with new brands and unique scents entering the market and challenging traditional gender norms associated with fragrances.

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