Anisha Riggs
In the 1980s, colognes were no longer the domain of beauty store counter clerks, high-end designers, and a few fashion houses. The market was oversaturated with fragrances, and the colognes of the '80s were fresh, clean, and versatile.
One of the most popular colognes of the '80s was Calvin Klein's Obsession for Men, which was released in 1986. With top notes of tangerine, grapefruit, lime, bergamot, lavender, cinnamon, and coriander, Obsession was clean, mature, and versatile.
Other popular colognes of the '80s included Dior Fahrenheit, Davidoff Cool Water, and Drakkar Noir, which won a FiFi Award for best men's fragrance in 1985.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 1986 |
| Brand | Calvin Klein |
| Bottle Design | Curved bottle |
| Price | $82 for 4 ounces or 118 milliliters |
| Top Notes | Tangerine, grapefruit, lime, bergamot, lavender, cinnamon, coriander |
| Heart Notes | Carnation, jasmine, rosewood, nutmeg, pine, myrrh, red berries |
| Base Notes | Amber, sandalwood, vanilla, musk, patchouli, vetiver |
What You'll Learn
Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein
The top notes include tangerine, grapefruit, lime, bergamot, lavender, cinnamon, and coriander. The heart notes include carnation, jasmine, rosewood, nutmeg, pine, myrrh, and red berries. The base notes include amber, sandalwood, vanilla, musk, patchouli, and vetiver.
Obsession for Men was one of Calvin Klein's most successful fragrances. It is considered a masterfully created fragrance that is really masculine. It is suitable for winter formal occasions for its strong cinnamon scent. It lasts long and projects well, even with modern reformulations. However, some people may find it too mature or refined for their personality.
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Davidoff Cool Water
Cool Water is often compared to Creed's Green Irish Tweed, which was also created by perfumer Pierre Bourdon. While some people consider Cool Water to be a cheaper dupe of Green Irish Tweed, others argue that they are different enough to be considered separate fragrances.
Cool Water has been described as a classic, timeless, and fresh scent that evokes feelings of the ocean, cleanliness, and masculinity. However, some people find it to be too synthetic, cheap, or outdated.
- It's a good choice for a first cologne or for those on a budget since it's affordable and widely available.
- The longevity and projection are moderate, with some people reporting that it lasts only a few hours.
- It's best suited for warm weather and can be worn by people of any gender.
- Some people associate it with their fathers or grandfathers, giving it a nostalgic feel.
- It has been reformulated over the years, and some people prefer the vintage versions, claiming that the newer formulations lack depth and longevity.
- It's often described as a safe, inoffensive choice that won't offend anyone.
Overall, Davidoff Cool Water is a well-known and well-loved fragrance that has stood the test of time, despite some criticisms of its performance and scent.
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Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme
The scent is described as an aromatic aquatic fragrance for men, full of wind and water, inspired by the beauty of Pantellerie, where Giorgio Armani spent his vacation. It is a scent of freedom, with bitter citrus and aromatic nuances of rosemary intertwined with salty, sea nuances and hedione. Sharp notes of spices are softened by woody base notes with a warm, musky trail.
The fragrance has been reformulated several times, with the latest 2024 version in a new gradient bottle, said to be closer to the original 1996 scent and with improved longevity of around 6-7 hours.
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Issey Miyake L’eau D’Issey Pour Homme
Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme is a woody aquatic fragrance for men, launched in 1994. It was created by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, who aimed to create a universal Eau de Toilette perfect for any occasion. The scent is described as clean, versatile, and suitable for everyday wear.
The top notes include yuzu, bergamot, lemon, tarragon, and other citrus scents. The heart notes are nutmeg, water lily, cinnamon, and geranium, among others, while the base notes are tobacco, sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, musk, and amber.
L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme has received mixed reviews. Some describe it as a "blast of fresh energy" and a "masterpiece", while others find it too harsh and synthetic. It is often associated with nostalgia, evoking memories of the 1990s and early 2000s. Overall, it is considered a timeless, versatile, and unique fragrance, suitable for daytime and summer wear.
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Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male
Top notes include mint, lavender, bergamot, artemisia, and cardamom.
Heart notes include cinnamon, cumin, and orange blossom.
Base notes include vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood, and cedarwood.
When I smelled this for the very first time, I really enjoyed the spice and vanilla combination. I think that this scent would be intriguing to those who happen to smell you without overpowering everyone else’s noses.
Most of the team likes Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male’s scent and would wear it.
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Frequently asked questions
There was no single cologne that was popular among gay men in the 80s. However, some popular colognes during that time were Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein, Cool Water by Davidoff, Drakkar Noir, and Polo by Ralph Lauren.
Other popular colognes from the 80s include Aramis, Fahrenheit by Dior, and Grey Flannel.
Some popular colognes from the 90s include Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani, Issey Miyake L'eau D'Issey Pour Homme, Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male, and Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein.
Some popular colognes from the 2000s include Aventus and Terre d'Hermes.
When choosing a cologne, consider your budget and the strength of the scent (known as its projection). It's also important to apply cologne sparingly, as too much can be overwhelming.
