Grandfathers' Fragrance: Cologne's Timeless Appeal

which grandfather use cologne

There are a variety of colognes that are often associated with grandfathers. Some popular ones include Old Spice, English Leather, Aqua Velva, and Brut. Other colognes that may be considered grandpa colognes include Aramis, JHL, Devin, Grey Flannel, Lagerfeld, Obsession, Light Blue EdT, Guerlain Vetiver, Geoffrey Beene Gray Flannel, Caron Pour Un Homme, and Lalique Lion.

Characteristics Values
Price $5-12
Scent Spicy, with notes of sage and cinnamon, fading to a pleasant musk and cedarwood scent
Bottle Iconic buoy-shaped

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Colognes have been a staple of many grandfathers' morning routines, with some brands and scents becoming iconic and synonymous with the idea of an "old man smell".

Old Spice, with its spicy scent, has been a favourite among grandfathers since 1938. Its notes of sage and cinnamon, fading into a pleasant musk and cedarwood scent, have become instantly recognisable.

Aqua Velva, originally introduced as a mouthwash for men in 1929, transitioned into the aftershave market in 1935. Its cooling menthol and masculine scent, with hints of vanilla, lavender, and oakmoss, have made it a go-to choice for grandfathers seeking a soothing post-shave experience.

Brut, first marketed as a luxury scent in 1963, later became a budget-friendly option with its "Brut 33" version. Its combination of sandalwood, oakmoss, lavender, and jasmine creates an aggressive yet appealing fragrance that has become a trademark of grandfathers' style.

These colognes, often sold in drugstores at affordable prices, offer excellent alternatives to expensive fragrances. They evoke a sense of nostalgia and provide a glimpse into the past, reminding us of happy times spent with our loved ones.

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Some people believe that older men are more likely to wear cologne because they grew up in a time before deodorant was widely available

Traditionally, cologne was seen as a way for men to mask body odour, especially in the days before regular bathing and widespread access to deodorant products. Today, however, cologne is more commonly used as a fragrance to enhance one's appeal, rather than to simply cover up unpleasant smells. This shift in the purpose of cologne may be why some people associate its use with older generations.

Cologne has long been a staple of men's grooming, with classic fragrances such as English Leather, Old Spice, Aqua Velva, and Brut evoking a sense of nostalgia for many. These colognes were commonly found in drugstores and were often affordable and easily accessible. They were marketed towards men of all ages and were considered essential for maintaining personal hygiene.

The perception of cologne as an "old man's" scent may also be influenced by the fact that some older men tend to be more generous with their application of cologne, possibly due to a decreased sense of smell that comes with age. A heavy application of cologne can be off-putting to those who are sensitive to strong scents, which may contribute to the perception that cologne is primarily worn by older men.

While the association between older men and cologne use may be partly due to historical and cultural factors, it's important to recognise that cologne remains popular across all age groups. Today, men have a wide variety of fragrances to choose from, and the use of cologne is often seen as a way to express personal style and individuality, regardless of age.

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Others suggest that older men's sense of smell may be less sensitive, causing them to over-apply cologne

It is suggested that older men may over-apply cologne due to a less sensitive sense of smell. This can be attributed to various factors, such as age, stress, diet, or medication, which can affect an individual's sense of smell over time.

The sense of smell is dependent on the olfactory system, which includes the nose and the brain. As people age, the receptors in the nose may become less sensitive, or the brain may process smell signals differently. This can lead to a reduced sense of smell, a condition known as hyposmia. Hyposmia can make it difficult for older men to accurately gauge the amount of cologne they are applying.

Additionally, the sense of smell can be influenced by lifestyle factors. Stress, for example, can impact the perception of smell. Chronic stress can affect the functioning of the olfactory system, leading to a decreased sense of smell. Similarly, diet plays a role in olfactory function. A healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, can support a healthy sense of smell. On the other hand, a poor diet, high in processed foods and lacking in essential nutrients, may contribute to a diminished sense of smell.

Moreover, certain medications can also affect the sense of smell. This is particularly common with drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and antipsychotics. These medications can interfere with the transmission of smell signals in the brain, leading to a reduced perception of odours.

The combination of age-related changes in the olfactory system and the influence of lifestyle factors can result in a decreased sense of smell in older men. As a consequence, they may over-apply cologne without realising it. This can lead to an overpowering scent that may be unpleasant for those around them.

To compensate for their reduced sense of smell, older men can take several steps. Firstly, they should be mindful of the amount of cologne they apply and avoid overdoing it. Secondly, they can seek feedback from trusted friends or family members to ensure they are using an appropriate amount. Lastly, storing the cologne in a cool, dry place and using it within five years of opening can help maintain its potency and prevent it from turning sour.

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Drakkar Noir, a men's cologne by Guy Laroche, was a popular choice for high schoolers in the 1990s. The cologne was first introduced in 1982 and was marketed with themes of masculinity, sensuality, and darkness. With its sleek black metallic bottle and aromatic fragrance, it appealed to those who wanted to exude a sense of mystery and sophistication.

The scent of Drakkar Noir is an aromatic fougère, with top notes of bergamot, rosemary, and lavender, middle notes of cardamom and geranium, and a dry down of vetiver, cedar, and fir balsam. This combination creates a fresh, spicy, and woody aroma that became synonymous with the confident, brooding man.

The popularity of Drakkar Noir among high schoolers in the 1990s can be attributed to its affordable price point and the successful marketing campaigns that associated the fragrance with masculinity and adulthood. It was a scent that made a statement and helped young men feel more mature and appealing to their peers.

While the cologne may have evolved over the years, its impact on the fragrance industry and the memories of those who wore it in the 1990s remain. It serves as a reminder of a time when our scent choices were influenced by the desire to stand out, fit in, or simply find a fragrance that matched our evolving sense of self.

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Today, younger men are more likely to wear Axe body spray

Colognes such as English Leather, Old Spice, Aqua Velva, and Brut were once popular fragrances for grandfathers, but younger men today are more likely to wear body sprays like Axe. Axe bulldozed the senses with a fragrance so strong it seemed to precede the bodies it clung to. Its introduction to drugstore aisles was accompanied by a series of notorious ad campaigns built on naughty jokes and blunt promises, with a parade of women lusting after men. The brand's power user was a 13-year-old boy with an indulgent mother.

Axe was officially born in 1983 in France under the personal care company Unilever, with three original scents: Amber, Musk, and Spice. However, the brand as we know it today emerged in 1995 when Unilever handed over advertising duties to the hip London agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Hegarty and his team's missing ingredient was irony. They created the "Axe Effect", a strategy that implied that once you spray it on, any woman would fall for you. This anchored Axe's advertising for the next 20 years and helped the company sell $71 million worth of the product in 2006, just four years after entering the US market.

The "Axe Effect" ads featured geeky, socially deficient, yet relatable young men who would turn suave as soon as they applied the spray. This resonated with teenage boys, who were deathly afraid of their perceived immaturity and craved the confidence to navigate a world that punishes inexperience. The application ritual involved an extended crop-dusting over the chest, and the suggested volume was excessive, creating an infamous pungency.

While the iconic ad campaign now feels fossilized, obsessed with a bygone vision of masculinity, the brand still enjoys annual global revenues of over $1 billion. The legacy of Axe is complicated by the women who helped develop and champion it and the environment it created for teenage boys. The scents of patchouli, sandalwood, and musk were what teenage boys were told men should smell like, and dousing themselves in Axe was an easy way to telegraph a worldview that assured peers they wanted the same things.

Axe's influence extended beyond its target audience of teenage boys. It also targeted their mothers, who were often the grocery shoppers and stakeholders in their sons' hygiene habits. While the explicit nature of Axe's branding and its pungency made an alliance with moms counterintuitive, the product's ability to mask the scent of a sweaty 15-year-old proved persuasive. Additionally, the brand counted girlfriends as another constituency and regularly tested its campaigns with young women, many of whom liked the ads.

Frequently asked questions

A sophisticated grandfather might wear Aramis.

A wealthy grandfather might wear JHL.

A sporty grandfather might wear Devin.

An urban grandfather might wear Grey Flannel.

A country grandfather might wear Lagerfeld.

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