The 80S Fragrance Flashback: What Scents Were Iconic?

The 1980s were a time of excess and maximalism, and this was reflected in the bold and powerful fragrances that were popular during the decade. The fragrance industry doubled in size during the 1980s, with 462 new fragrances launched – a significant increase from previous decades.

The 1980s saw the rise of designer scents, with loud, powerful, and potent perfumes that matched the bold fashion and style choices of the time. These included Calvin Klein Obsession, Dior Poison, Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir, and Giorgio Beverly Hills, which was so strong that some restaurants refused to seat customers wearing it.

The advertising campaigns for these fragrances mirrored the cultural obsession with luxury and indulgence, often featuring high-fashion models and glamorous settings.

While the early part of the decade was dominated by heavy and assertive scents, the latter part of the 1980s saw a shift towards lighter and more nuanced fragrances, which would set the trend for the 1990s.

Calvin Klein Obsession for Men

Top notes: mandarin, bergamot, cinnamon, lavender, coriander, tangerine, grapefruit, lime, and coriander.

Middle notes: myrrh, nutmeg, carnation, Brazilian rosewood, pine tree, sage, jasmine, and red berries.

Base notes: amber, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, and vetiver.

Obsession for Men was launched a year after the female version, and the pair is considered one of the most popular fragrances of the 80s. The scent is described as fiery, intense, and provocative. It is a blend of botanics, spices, and rare woods, reflecting the determination and fire that drives men's passions.

The fragrance has received mixed reviews. While some find it mesmerizing, intense, and provocative, others associate it with old-fashioned or outdated fragrances. Some describe it as too mature or refined for their personality, while others find it too spicy or candy-like. However, many customers appreciate the value for money, the longevity, and the small bottle size.

Overall, Calvin Klein Obsession for Men is a well-known fragrance from the 80s that continues to evoke strong reactions and memories.

Drakkar Noir

The fragrance won a FiFi Award for "Most Successful Men's Fragrance (Limited)" in 1985 and was the bestselling men's "prestige" scent worldwide in 1991. It has been described as "unapologetically masculine" and a "classic", with a strong, bold, and powerful scent that was impossible to ignore. However, some reviewers have noted that the fragrance has been watered down over the years, with weaker performance and a less intense scent. Despite this, Drakkar Noir remains a well-known and affordable fragrance that is perfect for those who miss the 1980s and 1990s or want to experience a piece of fragrance history.

Cool Water

The top notes include seawater, lavender, rosemary, calone, coriander, mint, and green nuances. The middle notes are sandalwood, neroli, geranium, and jasmine. The base notes are musk, oakmoss, tobacco, cedar, and ambergris.

Polo

The opening of the composition is green and fresh, made of grassy notes of artemisia, basil and thyme, with spicy notes of cumin, coriander and cloves. The heart is strong and masculine as conifer woods, decorated with notes of patchouli, oakmoss and vetiver. The base contains leather, tobacco and thyme, which create a wonderful, intensive trail. Polo is one of the most popular fragrances of the 80s for men. It is a truly masculine perfume and does not contain floral notes, apart from chamomile, which has more of a grassy scent than a floral one.

The Ralph Lauren website describes Polo as:

> Celebrating the timeless appeal of the sporting lifestyle, Ralph Lauren’s legendary Polo fragrance blends the very best of wood, leather and other natural scents to convey a handsome, enduring character.

The scent is described as a blend of wood, leather and other natural scents. It is a bold, powerful and potent perfume.

Kouros

The cologne has received mixed reviews, with some praising its unique, masculine scent, while others find it too strong or offensive. However, it remains a iconic and memorable fragrance, with a dedicated following.

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