The 1990s saw the release of some iconic fragrances that remain popular today. If you're looking to get your hands on some 90s cologne, you can try online retailers such as Etsy, which has a wide range of vintage fragrances from this decade, including well-known brands such as Calvin Klein, Versace, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier. You can also try fragrance review sites, which often provide links to purchase the colognes they review. Department stores like Dillard's and Macy's are another option, as well as beauty stores and fashion houses like Hermes and Nautica. Finally, don't underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned Google search, which can direct you to various online retailers. Happy scent hunting!
What You'll Learn
Popular 90s colognes
The 1990s saw a shift in the men's fragrance market, with scents taking a lighter and fresher approach than the heavy hitters of the 1980s. Here are some of the most popular 90s colognes:
Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani
Acqua di Gio, launched in 1997, is a fresh and addictive scent featuring notes of salty sea breeze, lemon, lime, hyacinth, neroli, and jasmine. It has dominated the best-seller lists since its release and continues to be a popular choice today.
Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein
Eternity for Men, released in 1990, is a clean and fresh fragrance with notes of lavender, vetiver, sandalwood, basil, sage, and citrus. It enjoyed mass appeal and became a best-selling men's prestige scent, carrying the Calvin Klein label to fragrance success.
Cool Water by Davidoff
Cool Water, launched in 1988, is a classic fragrance that remains common today. It features notes of seawater, mint, green tones, lavender, coriander, rosemary, neroli, jasmine, and sandalwood. Its massive advertising campaign in the 90s made it a household name.
CK One by Calvin Klein
CK One, launched in the mid-1990s, is a unisex fragrance that was hugely popular. With notes of fruit, wood, musk, and citrus, it had a light, warm, and clean aroma that appealed to a wide range of consumers and helped solidify Calvin Klein's position in the fragrance market.
L'eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake
L'eau d'Issey, launched in 1994, is a sharp and spicy citrus fragrance with notes of tobacco, vetiver, and dry woods. Nearly 30 years later, it continues to be a top-selling fragrance, with flanker after flanker being released under its name.
Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier
Le Male, released in 1995, is a simple yet nuanced fragrance with warm and fresh spice notes of mint and cinnamon, complemented by vanilla and lavender. It remains one of the best-selling men's fragrances today and has spawned numerous flankers and special editions.
Millesime Imperial by Creed
Millesime Imperial, launched in 1995, is a salty aquatic fragrance with bright citrus notes. With a long-lasting wear time and an elegant, fresh scent, it is considered one of the best fragrances Creed has ever produced.
Allure Homme by Chanel
Allure Homme, released in 1999, is a bright and clean citrus fragrance with notes of mandarin orange, peach, lemon, coriander, ginger, black pepper, vanilla, amber, and woody elements. While newer batches have been disappointing in terms of performance, the scent itself is fantastic and helped Chanel close out the decade on a high note.
Burberry for Men
Burberry for Men combines mint, cedar, and amber with a light bergamot citrus for a fresh and dynamic scent. It is one of Burberry's most popular fragrances and continues to be a favourite among fans of the brand.
Dune Pour Homme by Dior
Dior's Dune Pour Homme, released in 1997, is a unique and terrific fragrance with notes of basil, sage, cassis, fig, dry wood, and herbal greens. While the performance is frustratingly short, the scent is memorable and a bright spot for Dior in the 1990s.
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Where to buy 90s colognes
The 90s were a time of boy bands, curtain hairstyles, and iconic fragrances. If you're looking to buy a 90s cologne, you're in luck! Many of the popular fragrances from that decade are still available today. Here are some places where you can find them:
Department Stores
Department stores like Macy's, Bloomingdales, and Sephora are great places to start your search for 90s colognes. These stores often carry a wide range of fragrances, including some of the classic scents from the 90s. You can find popular brands like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Chanel at these stores.
Online Retailers
If you prefer to shop online, there are plenty of options to choose from. Websites like Amazon, FragranceNet.com, and Perfume.com offer a wide selection of fragrances, including many from the 90s. You can easily compare prices and read customer reviews before making your purchase.
Brand Websites
For a more specialised shopping experience, you can also visit the websites of specific fragrance brands. For example, if you're looking for a 90s cologne by Calvin Klein, you can check out their website, calvinklein.us. Similarly, for Chanel fragrances, you can visit chanel.com. These brand websites often provide detailed descriptions of their fragrances, making it easier to find the perfect scent.
Discount Retailers
While some 90s colognes can be expensive, you may be able to find better deals at discount retailers. However, it's important to be cautious when purchasing fragrances from discount stores or unknown websites, as there is a risk of encountering counterfeit products.
Vintage Fragrance Specialists
If you're a true fragrance enthusiast, you may want to explore vintage fragrance specialists. These are niche retailers that focus on older or discontinued fragrances. They can be a great resource for finding rare or hard-to-find 90s colognes. However, the prices may be higher, and the availability of certain fragrances may vary.
Popular 90s Colognes to Look For:
- Versace Blue Jeans (1994)
- Clinique Happy For Men (1999)
- CK One by Calvin Klein (1990s)
- Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey (1994)
- Davidoff Cool Water (1988)
- Joop Homme (1989)
- Egoiste Chanel (1990)
- Tommy Tommy Hilfiger (1995)
- Nautica Nautica For Men (1992)
- CK Be by Calvin Klein (1996)
- Hugo by Hugo Boss (1995)
- Acqua Di Gio Armani (1996)
- Le Mâle Jean Paul Gaultier (1995)
- Polo Sport Ralph Lauren (1994)
- CK Eternity For Men (1990)
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90s cologne reviews
Versace Blue Jeans (1994)
This cologne was launched in 1994, with a cowboy adorning the outer packaging, giving it a real all-American character. It has a sporty vibe with fresh, citrus notes, and is affordable.
Clinique Happy For Men (1999)
A brilliant spring/summer fragrance with bursts of citrus notes and a woody base. It was a youthful, uplifting fragrance that was worn daily by many men in the late 90s.
CK One (mid-1990s)
A unisex perfume that is bright, uplifting, and versatile. It has a blend of fruity notes, florals, woods, and musk, and is the perfume for all occasions. It was a signature scent for people of all ages and genders.
Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey (1994)
A fresh, aquatic cologne with a timeless feel. It has a lot of citrus accords with a woody base, which was a popular theme in this decade. It was easy to wear and gave an elegant, fresh, and masculine feel, ideal for summer.
Davidoff Cool Water (1988)
A refreshing fragrance with a musky, woody base that gives it a sexy character. It was a go-to scent for those wanting something daring and original. It was extensively advertised and remained popular throughout the 90s and beyond.
Joop Homme (1989)
An amber fougere fragrance with warm notes like tobacco, honey, vetiver, and cinnamon. It is rich and a few sprays go a long way. It was a popular scent in the 90s and is still unmistakable today.
Egoiste Chanel (1990)
Chanel is an elegant and sophisticated brand, and Egoiste is described as conservative with a sensual masculine undertone. It is suitable for a variety of occasions and, despite the high price, made the wearer feel classy and special.
Tommy Tommy Hilfiger (1995)
A fresh, youthful scent that was great for younger guys as it was affordable. It features some unique accords like cactus and cotton flower, which set it apart and made it popular.
Nautica Nautica For Men (1992)
A complex blend of notes, including aldehydic character, that was popular among the older crowd. It is a clean scent that was worn day-to-day throughout the 90s, especially in the summer.
CK Be (mid-1990s)
A unisex fragrance that followed the success of CK One. It came in a black bottle, giving it a mysterious character. It was a delicate, sexy, and powerful scent.
Hugo Hugo Boss (1995)
A fresh, masculine, and youthful fragrance that was very popular with schoolboys. Teen boys doused themselves in Hugo in an attempt to win over the popular girl.
Acqua Di Gio Armani (1996)
A highly aromatic yet airy fragrance with a sophisticated feel. It was worn by mature, classy gentlemen and is still known for being a mature, cool, and sophisticated scent today.
Le Mâle Jean Paul Gaultier (1995)
A unique and recognizable blend that became an instant signature scent for many. The iconic bottle added to its popularity and it felt like everyone had bathed in the stuff in the 90s and early 2000s.
Polo Sport Ralph Lauren (1994)
A fresh, green cologne with a summery character. It wasn't a super strong-smelling fragrance but it got you noticed. It was something every young man wanted and it was affordable.
CK Eternity For Men (1990)
A timeless, versatile, and inoffensive fragrance with hints of rosewood and amber, giving it a warm and comforting finish. It was a popular signature scent that made a statement and gave the wearer a cool, confident feeling.
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90s cologne gift sets
The 1990s saw the launch of many iconic fragrances that remain popular today. Gift sets are a great way to sample a variety of scents or to indulge in a favourite. Here is a guide to some of the 90s cologne gift sets available.
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male
This fragrance was launched in 1995 and remained popular for over ten years. It is described as a safe, classic buy with warm baking notes and a lot of vanilla. A 4.2-ounce bottle usually retails for $94. Gift sets are available from Macy's, including a two-piece Le Male Eau de Toilette Gift Set and a two-piece Le Male Elixir Gift Set.
Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein
This cologne was launched in 1990 and became famous in the 90s. It has top notes of lavender, mandarin orange, bergamot, and lemon, with middle notes of coriander, juniper berries, and sage, and base notes of sandalwood, musk, amber, and vetiver. A 3.4-ounce bottle is available for $82. Macy's offers a two-piece gift set for $130.
Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme
Acqua Di Gio is another iconic fragrance of the 90s, launched in 1996. It has top notes of mandarin orange, bergamot, jasmine, lime, neroli, and lemon, heart notes of coriander, floral notes, nutmeg, sea notes, and rosemary, and base notes of white musk, cedar, oakmoss, patchouli, and amber. A 3.4-ounce bottle typically costs $88. Macy's offers a two-piece gift set for $130 and a three-piece fragrance discovery set for $80.
Cool Water by Davidoff
This cologne was launched in 1988 and became very popular in the 90s due to its extensive advertising. It combines a variety of scents, including seawater, mint, green notes, lavender, coriander, and rosemary. A 4.2-ounce bottle is available for around $75. Macy's offers a two-piece jumbo gift set for $133.
Other Options
Other 90s colognes that can be found in gift sets include Bleu de Chanel, Sauvage by Dior, YSL's MYSLF, and Armani's Acqua di Giò and Armani Code.
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90s cologne for women
The 1990s was a huge decade for perfume, with 64 new varieties added to the market in 1994 alone. The decade saw an experimental approach to scent, with bold perfumes bursting onto the scene. Many of these fragrances are now considered iconic, and some have been re-released or are still available to buy.
CK One by Calvin Klein
One of the first unisex fragrances, CK One was first released in 1994 and is known for its fresh and subtle blend of musk, bergamot and violet. Its ad campaign featured Kate Moss and was splashed across billboards throughout the mid-90s.
Angel by Thierry Mugler
Combining patchouli with notes of chocolate, honey and cotton candy, Angel was like nothing the fragrance world had ever seen when it was released in 1992. Housed in a now-iconic blue glass star-shaped bottle, it remains one of the world's best-selling perfumes.
Clinique Happy
An instant pick-me-up in a bottle, Clinique Happy is a citrusy, floral scent with an uplifting blend of mandarin, grapefruit, lily and freesia. Its original advert in 1997 featured Judy Garland singing, "Forget your troubles, come on, get happy!"
L'Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake
The first fragrance to be developed by Issey Miyake, L'Eau d'Issey is a pioneering aquatic floral fragrance for women. Miyake intended to create a scent that was "as clear as spring water", combining lily, lotus and rose with the freshness of water.
Estée Lauder Pleasures
Setting the trend for uplifting, airy fragrances, Estée Lauder Pleasures introduced a new category: sheer floral. Designed to capture the fragrance of flowers after a spring rain, it combines notes of lily, white peony and jasmine with the essence of baie rose.
Lancôme Trésor
Released at the start of the decade, Trésor ushered in a move towards more overtly feminine fragrances. A blend of peach and rose adds sweet, floral notes, while sandalwood and musk round it out with a woody, sensuous aroma. With a bottle designed to look like a precious jewel, it's the ultimate fragrance for an elegant night out.
Other 90s fragrances for women
- Eternity by Calvin Klein
- White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor
- Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier
- Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden
- Burberry Weekend by Burberry
- Boss Bottled by Hugo Boss
- Obsession by Calvin Klein
- Amarige by Givenchy
- Organza by Givenchy
- Red Door by Elizabeth Arden
- Dune by Dior
- Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden
- Cool Water by Davidoff
- Charlie by Revlon
- Guess by Guess
- Versace Bright Crystal by Versace
- Vera Wang by Vera Wang
- White Linen by Estée Lauder
- Wind Song by Prince Matchabelli
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