Anyone else feel uncomfortable sharing what fragrance they wear?

[FOXHOUND]

Yeezy I would not wear because Yeezy products are fugly, and well because, F Kanye West.

Right there with you on that one!

 

[Redneck Perfumisto]

I love this!!

In my older son’s school, there is this European couple who are so incredibly fabulous, and ridiculously nonchalant about it.

They dress very chic, but extremely, extremely eclectic - with shocking ice-blond hair to match (their sons also have the same hair, with edgy haircuts). Both husband and wife look as if they’ve partied with David Bowie and posed in Vogue. They walk down the hallways during conferences or assemblies with the quiet coolness of a runway model, and I can’t begin to describe their clothes. Borderline ridiculous, but deliciously fashionable.

People always stare, but they’re always in their own world. I love it. It makes my day to see those two break up the monotony of Parent-Teacher Conference day.

That's what I'm talking about! Those who dare to be part of the coolness, whether it's at the Bowie or Lebowski levels, make us feel the story of life, and it's good! Even second-hand, they impress. People who dare to be their fascinating selves (which can even be very low-key), are so awesome.

 

[kosui no kaori]

That's what I'm talking about! Those who dare to be part of the coolness, whether it's at the Bowie or Lebowski levels, make us feel the story of life, and it's good! Even second-hand, they impress. People who dare to be their fascinating selves (which can even be very low-key), are so awesome.

Absolutely agree!

One of these days, I want to tell them how fabulous I think they are. Maybe if I see them at conferences this November, I can muster up the courage to do so.

They’re quite intimidating (in the best way possible).

 

[Redneck Perfumisto]

Absolutely agree!

One of these days, I want to tell them how fabulous I think they are. Maybe if I see them at conferences this November, I can muster up the courage to do so.

They’re quite intimidating (in the best way possible).

I hope you get the chance! 🍻

 

[kosui no kaori]

I hope you get the chance! 🍻

Thank you, me too! 🍻

Usually, it’s easy for me to talk to someone in order to give them a compliment - so hopefully that kicks in again at the right time.

 

[imm0rtelle]

For me, it's kind of the opposite. I don't really enjoy telling people that I'm wearing an expensive fragrance. I may just be wearing a sample or decant. Or a tester of a Creed I got for $90 several years ago. But if I say I'm wearing a niche frag, people may either get the impression I'm upper class or that I'm trying to floss.

For similar reasons I mentioned in the "Why I prefer unbranded clothes" topic on the mens fashion forum of this site. I prefer to be understated, and not let designer clothing be the main focus of my aesthetic. It's probably a similar reason why I wouldn't wear a Rolex or a pair of Yeezys even if I got them for free.

I 100% agree with you, and disagree with pretty much almost everyone who has replied so far. Impression management is very important, unless you have an antisocial personality, and you're proud to flaunt it. There is a time and place, and although it sounds elitist, certain people do not need to know what you're wearing for a few reasons. One of them is that it can create awkwardness or animosity, and another reason is that they might not even truly be into fragrances, and telling them is just a waste of energy.

I also see the beauty in making sure your pieces are subservient to you, and never take centre stage. I do not want my clothes or fragrance to outshine who I am. I do not want to be known as the "fragrance guy". I'm extremely happy spending a lot without people knowing what I'm wearing is expensive, and I will purposefully lie if they ask me about it. I'm closeted in real life and keep my interest in fragrance and fashion relegated to online spaces.

I collect luxury handbags, and used to feel self-conscious at the attention they garner at times in public. I would also feel as if I couldn’t wear my favorite Chucks, or my beloved band hoodies if I was wearing nice jewelry, or carrying an Hermès. Now, I wear both at the same time. Maybe I’m too old for band merch. Why is she carrying that bag, but wearing those old sneakers? Who cares?

I feel like your mindset would align more with Hedi Slimane's creations at Saint Laurent and Celine. It carries more of that rebellious spirit. I think his Sac du Jour, at Saint Laurent, is edgier than the Birkin. The 16 at Celine looks more luxurious than the Kelly. His creations align with the establishment, while still feeling rebellious and not totally conforming to the establishment that Hermès represents to me.

 

[kosui no kaori]

I 100% agree with you, and disagree with pretty much almost everyone who has replied so far. Impression management is very important, unless you have an antisocial personality, and you're proud to flaunt it. There is a time and place, and although it sounds elitist, certain people do not need to know what you're wearing for a few reasons. One of them is that it can create awkwardness or animosity, and another reason is that they might not even truly be into fragrances, and telling them is just a waste of energy.

I also see the beauty in making sure your pieces are subservient to you, and never take centre stage. I do not want my clothes or fragrance to outshine who I am. I do not want to be known as the "fragrance guy". I'm extremely happy spending a lot without people knowing what I'm wearing is expensive, and I will purposefully lie if they ask me about it. I'm closeted in real life and keep my interest in fragrance and fashion relegated to online spaces.


I feel like your mindset would align more with Hedi Slimane's creations at Saint Laurent and Celine. It carries more of that rebellious spirit. I think his Sac du Jour, at Saint Laurent, is edgier than the Birkin. The 16 at Celine looks more luxurious than the Kelly. His creations align with the establishment, while still feeling rebellious and not totally conforming to the establishment that Hermès represents to me.

Thank you for your recommendations! Your thoughts are very insightful.

I do in fact have some of his pieces before he left YSL, as well as a more current Celine 🙂

Concerning the Sac du Jour, I do like it very much - and probably reach for it more than the others - but oddly enough, I prefer the Birkin; and then the Kelly over that. I do see what you mean by edgier, however! They’re all very lovely, and you seem to be very in tune with fashion.

 

[imm0rtelle]

I do in fact have some of his pieces before he left YSL, as well as a more current Celine

Would be curious on your thoughts on his Celine fragrances if you have gotten a chance to try them.

 

[kosui no kaori]

Would be curious on your thoughts on his Celine fragrances if you have gotten a chance to try them.

I have not!

Do you have any recommendations?

 

[imm0rtelle]

I have not!

Do you have any recommendations?

Ignoring your preferences, Reptile might be a cool one to check out. Gives off this tough androgynous bad girl vibe to me, but still polished, when worn on a woman.

Spoiler: Images that come to my head that would harmonize well with Reptile

If you're curious about the Celine line, there's a thread here: NEW: La Collection Celine Haute Parfumerie.

 

[kosui no kaori]

Ignoring your preferences, Reptile might be a cool one to check out. Gives off this tough androgynous bad girl vibe to me, but still polished, when worn on a woman.

Spoiler: Images that come to my head that would harmonize well with Reptile

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If you're curious about the Celine line, there's a thread here: NEW: La Collection Celine Haute Parfumerie.

Very interesting!

I will look into Reptile, and absolutely check out the thread as well.

Thank you so much!

 

[Redneck Perfumisto]

Now that I think about it, there is some ambiguity in the problem of admitting fragrances HERE versus IRL. I have zero problem admitting what I'm wearing to the people here. I think that's the whole point of the SOTD - that we can share what we're wearing, whether it's our signature scent from a massive bottle, or a sample of something we could never afford as a bottle, with no need to specify or justify.

IRL, as @imm0rtelle points out, is a bit different, and differs between people, IMO.

...certain people do not need to know what you're wearing for a few reasons. One of them is that it can create awkwardness or animosity, and another reason is that they might not even truly be into fragrances, and telling them is just a waste of energy.

I do not want my clothes or fragrance to outshine who I am.

I do not want to be known as the "fragrance guy". I'm extremely happy spending a lot without people knowing what I'm wearing is expensive, and I will purposefully lie if they ask me about it. I'm closeted in real life and keep my interest in fragrance and fashion relegated to online spaces.

I do get these points, all extremely valid.

As proper understatement, letting fashion speak for itself without the brand name or the price tag is a great part of being truly fashionable. That's one of the best parts of emerging fashions and fresh or discreet brands - the fact that they're not so immediately recognizable and identifiable to people outside the industry - they just look good - smell good - whatever.

That's another point. In most of my circles, if I said what fragrance I'm wearing, most people would have no clue what that even means. The final danger: "Is it expensive?" "You don't want to know." End of story. That works in my world, thankfully.

 

[Nom de Guerre]

It makes me feel uncomfortable just because the first thing that comes to mind is shit, have I oversprayed?
I usually reply that it's a sample I'm testing and if the person seems genuinely interested, I might tell them what it is – I'm not a fan of the blank stares that follow. In my neck of the woods, the absolute majority of people don't care what the actual fragrance is, so it feels a bit awkward to continue the conversation.

 

[Franco65]

I noticed I'm being asked what I'm wearing more frequently, if I'm wearing an expensive scent.. not a problem answering

 

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

I only feel awkward if the name of the scent is... odd.

I had a female friend who liked to tease me because she loved that I usually* smelled good, but she liked to tease. I remember when I wore Epic Man. She really liked it, but she asked the name, and when I told her, she laughed and said "Do you feel EPIC, man?!?" She was awesome, and teasing was part of the fun. The reason I said I "usually" smelled good was because she was somebody I could try new stuff with. God, she was awesome.

In my experience, if somebody actually wants to know what I'm wearing, they'll ask for specifics. But most people who ask are just giving a compliment... so... if a scent has a non-awkward name, I'll say the name ("It's called Aqua Universalis.") But "Royal" or "Opus" names can sound kind of pompous, and names like "Sumo Wrestler" are frigging cringeworthy... so I'll tell them the name of the house unless they ask for specifics. I got a compliment while wearing Sumo Wrestler. She said I smell nice and asked what it was. I said "Thanks! It's by J-Scent." If I saw her reach for paper to write it down, or for her phone to make a note, I'd have given her the name... but she didn't, so I (correctly) assumed she was just giving me a compliment.

P.S. If you haven't tried Sumo Wrestler, I recommend it. Bad name! Great scent!

 

[FiveoaksBouquet]

I noticed I'm being asked what I'm wearing more frequently, if I'm wearing an expensive scent.. not a problem answering

Interesting. I was just thinking of the price ranges of scents people asked about and, with one exception (Chanel 1932), they have been in the mass market range (e.g. Mon Guerlain, Insolence, Azurée, 4711). I did tell the lady the name of 1932–no idea if she ever followed up.

 

[tspencer]

There are a few people uncomfortable sharing that they're wearing a cheap fragrance. Or if they're wearing a clone, they might try to say they're wearing the original.

For me, it's kind of the opposite. I don't really enjoy telling people that I'm wearing an expensive fragrance. I may just be wearing a sample or decant. Or a tester of a Creed I got for $90 several years ago. But if I say I'm wearing a niche frag, people may either get the impression I'm upper class or that I'm trying to floss.

For similar reasons I mentioned in the "Why I prefer unbranded clothes" topic on the mens fashion forum of this site. I prefer to be understated, and not let designer clothing be the main focus of my aesthetic. It's probably a similar reason why I wouldn't wear a Rolex or a pair of Yeezys even if I got them for free.

Granted this is a really trivial topic, and I'm rarely asked what I'm wearing anyway.

I share all the fragrances I wear. I just like what I like regardless of price. I own and wear $5 aftershave and $700 perfume. I post them to share what I think smells awesome.

 

[ultravisitor]

It makes me feel uncomfortable just because the first thing that comes to mind is shit, have I oversprayed?

omg I have definitely felt this way a few times lol

 

[cazaubon]

I don’t mind saying, although if the person asks for specifics and it’s something really expensive or hard to get I feel a bit awkward.

 

[emtee]

I’ve not read the whole thread yet but no I wear what I want unashamedly, whether that be clothes, watches or fragrance. What does slightly bother me however is when someone asks how much it costs, especially when it’s something expensive, and then gasp when I tell them. I mostly just say I got it ages ago and can’t remember these days.