In fact, how you smell as you leave the office is as important, perhaps more so than how you look. Good or bad, the choice of fragrances you wear can often have an impact on people. The catch is balancing being noticeable and overpowering your entire team.
Read on to get your complete guide to workplace-suitable fragrances — and some ground rules to follow so you never smell too much (or not enough).
What Not to Wear
Before diving into the best fragrances, let’s talk about what to avoid:
Super Musky Scents
Too bold, too musky fragrances can be overpowering and distracting to your professional presence.
Evening-Only Scents
Fragrances that are marketed as being ‘dark’, or ‘night’, are designed to be worn in the evening and may be a little too intense for daytime environments.
How to Choose an Office Fragrance
When choosing a scent for work, keep these characteristics in mind:
- Light and Fresh: The two that work best in professional settings are either aquatic or citrus-based.
- Moderate Longevity: It is not overpowered throughout the day, but it is long-lasting.
- Balanced Power: Subtle, but not at all intrusive.
- Memorability: A special but without an outlandish sense of smell that makes a good impression.
Top Fragrances for the Office
Here are some of the best office-friendly fragrances for men:
Creed Aventus
Creed Aventus is bold, fresh, versatile, and considered the “king” of fragrances. It is subtle enough for the office but strong enough for evening, and while it does the trick for evenings, you are not getting mowed down at the office.
Bvlgari MAN Wood Essence
Bvlgari MAN Wood Essence is a newer fragrance with a green, woody scent, that is both great for daytime wear. It makes for a great workout with the right amount of intensity.
D&G The One Grey
The sophistication of this vetiver heavy scent. It is pleasant but professional, with its grapefruit top note and balanced longevity.
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
Grey Vetiver EDP is offered in a powdery and unique scent for a premium touch. You will stand out, quietly enough.
Hugo Boss Bottled
BOSS Bottled is a classic fragrance, versatile, eternal and universally appreciated. It makes a great signature scent.
Issey Miyake Pour Homme
This fresh, fruity, and opening all-day scent can be described. Once you have seen it, it is clearly a classic and easy to recognize one, but it is far less common one.
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio
Acqua Di Gio is still a classic and still smells lovely. Citrus notes make it a perfect addition to office wear.
CK One
CK One is affordable and iconic, has a nostalgic citrus and green scent, and is still relevant today. It is an awesome budget-friendly option.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
Fresh and effortlessly airy, this aquatic fragrance is about as fresh as possible. The light weight won’t overwhelm colleagues and is light enough for daily wear.
Prada L’Homme
Prada L’Homme is a powdery, floral modern all-rounder. It is slightly stronger than the others, which makes it a great choice if you’re looking for something different.
Conclusion
In a professional setting, your fragrance says a whole lot about you. Appropriate scent can increase confidence, impress, and even add to your professional image.
Timeless classics such as Hugo Boss Bottled and CK One, along with recent favourites such as Prada L’Homme, appear above to make sure you smell great but stay on the good side of the office.
Lucas Adams is a fragrance connoisseur who delves into the world of scents, offering reviews, recommendations, and insights into the art of perfumery.
