True or False ? "I wear (whichever) Fragrance to please MYSELF".

[SixCats]

Hi all,

I got to thinking (I know, dangerous) what percentage of Fragrance purchasers (especially those influenced by the likes of YouTube reviewers and/or Sale Associates) who buy Fragrances (with the intention of said Fragrance) to elicit compliments from others ?

Now, while I do think it nice for one to be complimented on ones choice of Fragrance (in my World) I do NOT purchase Fragrances with the hopes of pleasing others.
Sure, perhaps at the beginning of my Fragrance journey (I joined Basenotes TWENTY years ago) perhaps (to some extent) I purchase a few Fragrances intending to please others and falling into the trap of purchasing (so called) "Pantie droppers" Fragrances (which of course is nothing but PSYOP).

My point being, I wear (whichever Fragrance I happen to love) ANYTIME or ANY PLACE! That being said, of course my not wanting to be crass, I at least attempt to wear certain Fragrances in certain situations. Example: I "may" choose not to wear the likes of 50ml MARLOU d'ambiguite "original" (one of my favorites) for a small Dinner Party.

At any rate, what might the fine Folks/Members of our Basenotes Community think ? Does the majority of the (every day) Fragrance buying public, purchase Fragrances with the soul intent of "this Fragrance will make me more attractive/elicit compliments ?"

SixCats! (aka Tom in Maine)

 

[slpfrsly]

Great question, SixCats. It's one I consider fairly regularly in relation to fragrance discussions.

Hi all,

I got to thinking (I know, dangerous) what percentage of Fragrance purchasers (especially those influenced by the likes of YouTube reviewers and/or Sale Associates) who buy Fragrances (with the intention of said Fragrance) to elicit compliments from others ?

Now, while I do think it nice for one to be complimented on ones choice of Fragrance (in my World) I do NOT purchase Fragrances with the hopes of pleasing others.
Sure, perhaps at the beginning of my Fragrance journey (I joined Basenotes TWENTY years ago) perhaps (to some extent) I purchase a few Fragrances intending to please others and falling into the trap of purchasing (so called) "Pantie droppers" Fragrances (which of course is nothing but PSYOP).

My point being, I wear (whichever Fragrance I happen to love) ANYTIME or ANY PLACE! That being said, of course my not wanting to be crass, I at least attempt to wear certain Fragrances in certain situations. Example: I "may" choose not to wear the likes of 50ml MARLOU d'ambiguite "original" (one of my favorites) for a small Dinner Party.

At any rate, what might the fine Folks/Members of our Basenotes Community think ? Does the majority of the (every day) Fragrance buying public, purchase Fragrances with the soul intent of "this Fragrance will make me more attractive/elicit compliments ?"

SixCats! (aka Tom in Maine)

I definitely consider other people when I wear fragrance. There's no question about that. It's not about extracting compliments from other people as much as it is being presentable in public (my private wearing of fragrance descreased significantly after the covid lockdowns).

I do not wear fragrance for purely self indulgent reasons; nor am I hostage to the whims and opinions of anyone else. It is about balance: between the more functional purpose of fragrance, the creative and dramatic elements, and the appeal they have to those in my vicinity. These considerations have gone in to shaping my own wardrobe, where I try to balance out the more practical and formal fragrances with the casual, mass appealing, more attractive ones.

I think that the primary purpose most men wear fragrance is to appeal to women. In Britain, I would say that the native male population almost solely wears fragrances in the evening and on weekends when going somewhere - the implication being that they are there to appeal to wives/girlfriends, or to attract prospective wives/girlfriends, on dates, in clubs etc. Whether that translates in to a verbal compliment is another thing, but I reckon that appealing to other people/"smelling attractive" is probably the main consideration for the average fragrance buyer. I suspect it's slightly different with women in terms of the fine details, but the principle is still the same i.e. appealing to other people/trying to smell 'good'.

 

[maksidrom]

I firmly believe the vast majority of masc fragrance buying male public buy a fragrance strictly to attract and elicit compliments.
I was recently talking to the staff at a perfume/beauty store and they told me that 90% of the male customers don't put any effort into finding the right scent for them, they just ask for whatever "sells best", is "most popular" and "gets most compliments". If a girl needs to make a commission or get a fragrance off the shelf all she needs to do is spray a tester and then tell a guy "oh, this smells really good on you". Sold!

 

[hednic]

For me the answer would be false.

 

[ErroneousFact]

I mean...Sometimes. I may put on a spray when I have no plans to be near anyone before it wears off, so that's definitely for myself. I do like the smells.

Usually false though. I don't disagree with fragrance being categorized as fashion in almost every context, because it's mostly about being pleasant and/or appealing to other people, including for me.

 

[Foxsbiscuits]

I wear what I like, for me.
I don't think you should try to impress people or try to get them to like you. (General "you", not aimed at anyone)

 

[AndyL]

At any rate, what might the fine Folks/Members of our Basenotes Community think ? Does the majority of the (every day) Fragrance buying public, purchase Fragrances with the soul intent of "this Fragrance will make me more attractive/elicit compliments ?"

SixCats! (aka Tom in Maine)

It's probably a mixed bag, some fragrances are purchased so the individual can smell good with others. I know a lot of significant others buy fragrances for their partners too..... "I like the way this smells so wear this"

At the moment, I wear fragrances for myself. A lot of compliments don't come my way probably because I spray lightly. The only person I will wear to impress is my wife. There are a few fragrances of mine that she really enjoys. So, I look to those for date nights, dinner outs, etc...

 

[underground]

i

I firmly believe the vast majority of masc fragrance buying male public buy a fragrance strictly to attract and elicit compliments.
I was recently talking to the staff at a perfume/beauty store and they told me that 90% of the male customers don't put any effort into finding the right scent for them, they just ask for whatever "sells best", is "most popular" and "gets most compliments". If a girl needs to make a commission or get a fragrance off the shelf all she needs to do is spray a tester and then tell a guy "oh, this smells really good on you". Sold!

i know which fragrances attract the ladies the most and im not gonna wear them even if i become desperate, i just don't like those cliche accords that mens fragrances have.

i dont wanna inhale a scent with a sharp/bitter "MANLINESS" accord with cheap effortless formulations.

 

[Pippin06]

False for me. I couldn't care less about compliments, unless they come from my lovely wife. I wear fragrances for myself, and would never buy a fragrance for the sake of getting compliments at my age and as a happily married man. In fact, some of my favorites are polarizing.

However, I imagine that most of the fragrance buying population does care about receiving compliments, and does hope their fragrance makes them come off as more attractive to others.

 

[Akahina]

At my age, I'm not fishing for complements. And I break seasonal "rules" too. Not many men wear perfumes around here that I notice, but clubbing is way, way back in years. The best complement would be overheard and would be something like, "that old man smells nice", and not, "that old man smells!"

I'm not sure that most consumers of mass market perfumes care that much, chasing commonality among their peers in an attempt to stand out. Hence, oodles of flankers sold as the newest, greatest thing. I know...

 

[Franco65]

I buy fragrances that make me fell good and groovy, compliments are a bonus!

 

[Marty McFly]

I don't think there's necessarily a binary answer to that question; it's not a matter of mutually exclusive "truth."

I certainly choose to wear what I like, and what pleases me as the wearer, but I also have my audience in mind when I make that choice. I consider all forms of presentation, from choice of clothing to hygiene level to one's fragrance, to exist as a form of communication as much as, if not more so than, for health reasons (and in the case of fragrance, there's obviously very little "health benefit.")

I wear what I wear because it communicates the identity that I choose to cultivate, and this is as true of my clothing as it is of my fragrance.

 

[Pippin06]

I don't think there's necessarily a binary answer to that question; it's not a matter of mutually exclusive "truth."

I certainly choose to wear what I like, and what pleases me as the wearer, but I also have my audience in mind when I make that choice. I consider all forms of presentation, from choice of clothing to hygiene level to one's fragrance, to exist as a form of communication as much as, if not more so than, for health reasons (and in the case of fragrance, there's obviously very little "health benefit.")

I wear what I wear because it communicates the identity that I choose to cultivate, and this is as true of my clothing as it is of my fragrance.

Maybe the answer has to do at least to some degree with age and marital status--career as well.

 

[mikeperez23]

 

[ultravisitor]

I buy and wear what I like. I don't try to attract people with a fragrance because there's absolutely zero guarantee that a person I would want to attract will like the fragrance that I'm wearing.

 

[Pippin06]

I buy and wear what I like. I don't try to attract people with a fragrance because there's absolutely zero guarantee that a person I would want to attract will like the fragrance that I'm wearing.

Excellent--and IMO--healthy point.

 

[Ken_Russell]

I buy and wear what I like. I don't try to attract people with a fragrance because there's absolutely zero guarantee that a person I would want to attract will like the fragrance that I'm wearing.

...or even on the contrary/conversely, the fragrance you or anyone else for that matter might consider less likely to attract will or at least might have the least likely but fortunate pleasant surprises not in spite of, but precisely because there are no guarantees.

Anyway, great points expressed so far, personally tending to second the more or less "mixed bag" outlook on this- mostly for personal reason, however with any positive outer feedback as a further added bonus.

 

[Salumbre]

Mostly true.

 

[Tea_Lilly]

I wear what I like - taking into consideration what activities I'll be undertaking/who I will see that day. I went to the dr. yesterday - no scent. Today - staying at home with my young kiddo - I'm sporting two vintage perfumes, one on each arm. I'm also don't apply heavily, so it gives me more options on what to wear without impacting others as much. My fragrance brings me joy and as long as I'm not bothering others, I wear what I feel like that day. But I'm in a privileged position, as I stay at home with my little one.

 

[dogtoe]

I usually wear whatever I want to please myself. However:
1) When I plan to be in public, I’ll wear something I don’t think will offend others.
2) I make it a point not to be offensive to my wife!

 

[SmellSharpe]

I am in my 50s and married with 3 kids. Complements are the last thing from my mind. I just don’t want to gross out my family or anyone near me in the wild.

My wife tolerates some of my fragrances that she doesn’t like, but I only wear fragrances that I like.

 

[LinePlaneVolume]

My partner got me a bottle of Aventus, which was the first new scent I had had for more than 20 years. I explicitly stopped wearing it because I was getting so many compliments. Something just felt too easy about it. That got me into finding scents for me, not for them (and down the rabbit hole I went).

 

[sjg3839]

My answer would be false. I wear what I like. If there are folks who like what I wear, that's a bonus.

 

[SixCats]

For me the answer would be false.

Really ?

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

False for me. I couldn't care less about compliments, unless they come from my lovely wife. I wear fragrances for myself, and would never buy a fragrance for the sake of getting compliments at my age and as a happily married man. In fact, some of my favorites are polarizing.

However, I imagine that most of the fragrance buying population does care about receiving compliments, and does hope their fragrance makes them come off as more attractive to others.

OK, wait wait wait! Perhaps it's me and I somehow confused the wording of my own question. That is to say.....if I wear a Fragrance for MYSELF, the answer to this question should be TRUE (or am I mistaken ?) In other words, "do I wear Fragrances to please myself ?" YES (in my case) this is TRUE.

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

OK, wait wait wait! Perhaps it's me and somehow confused myself with the wording of my own question. That is to say, if I wear Fragrances for MYSELF, the answer to my question should be TRUE! Am I mistaken ? In other words, do I wear Fragrances to please myself ? YES (in my case) this is TRUE.

SixCats!

I wear what I like, for me.
I don't think you should try to impress people or try to get them to like you. (General "you", not aimed at anyone)

Therefore Fox, your answer would be........?

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

I buy fragrances that make me fell good and groovy, compliments are a bonus!

BINGO!

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

Maybe the answer has to do at least to some degree with age and marital status--career as well.

Hi Pippin, I'm thinking you and I are on the same page.

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

My partner got me a bottle of Aventus, which was the first new scent I had had for more than 20 years. I explicitly stopped wearing it because I was getting so many compliments. Something just felt too easy about it. That got me into finding scents for me, not for them (and down the rabbit hole I went).

Interesting!

SixCats!

 

[Black Cloud]

I wear fragrances to please myself. A compliment on a fragrance is nice to receive, but I've had "you smell nice" comments after I've just applied scented hand sanitizer! So, if "the everyday fragrance buying public" are only interested in getting compliments, then hand gel would be a much cheaper investment than an EDT! And, given how weak some modern fragrances can be, hand sanitizer might even last longer...!

 

[Akahina]

So, if "the everyday fragrance buying public" are only interested in getting compliments, then hand gel would be a much cheaper investment than an EDT! And, given how weak some modern fragrances can be, hand sanitizer might even last longer...!

A truer truth hath been spoken!

 

[SixCats]

I wear fragrances to please myself. A compliment on a fragrance is nice to receive, but I've had "you smell nice" comments after I've just applied scented hand sanitizer! So, if "the everyday fragrance buying public" are only interested in getting compliments, then hand gel would be a much cheaper investment than an EDT! And, given how weak some modern fragrances can be, hand sanitizer might even last longer...!

LOL, too funny BC!

SixCats!

 

[Varanis Ridari]

I work alone and won't date someone who isn't at least receptive to fragrance, so the answer is mostly yes.

However, I do enjoy matching weather or occasion to my fragrance, so there is at least a small modicum of thought for surrounding.

 

[Renato]

After first starting at Basenotes, I realised that most of my scents were Fougeres or Ambery Fougeres - because that was what I liked best. But then I felt there was some sort of a sameness about them.

Grant had a Fragrance-Suggestor at Basenotes at the time. I used it to go and check out fragrances that I thought were either Ho-Hum or that I really didn't like much. Then I forced myself to wear them - and ponder what it was about them that some people liked, and what had been in the minds of the perfumers who created them.

So I don't necessarily wear fragrances I love. I'll even wear Grey Flannel sometimes and, even after 20 years, wonder how anyone could like it.
It keeps me amused.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[davidcalgary29]

My favourite frag is Oud Minerale, which I alone seem to love on my skin. The Creeds, on the other hand, always seem to draw favourable comments, although (with the exception of GIT and Royal Oud) are just "nice" to my nose.

 

[Bonnette]

True. I've always worn whatever I like, to please myself, tempered by due awareness of appropriateness for specific occasions.

 

[Foxsbiscuits]

OK, wait wait wait! Perhaps it's me and somehow confused myself with the wording of my own question. That is to say, if I wear Fragrances for MYSELF, the answer to my question should be TRUE! Am I mistaken ? In other words, do I wear Fragrances to please myself ? YES (in my case) this is TRUE.

SixCats!

Therefore Fox, your answer would be........?

SixCats!

My answer to your question would be TRUE (I wear for me)
I think some people may have misunderstood the TRUE/FALSE thing and have said the wrong one. Or I've rly misjudged them (@hednic for example I would have thought you wear for you)

 

[hednic]

Really ?

SixCats!

My answer was to your question at the end of your post - Does the majority of the (every day) Fragrance buying public, purchase Fragrances with the soul intent of "this Fragrance will make me more attractive/elicit compliments ?" And my answer as it pertains to me would definitely be false

 

[hednic]

(@hednic for example I would have thought you wear for you)

Read my post above. That should clear up my answer. Of course I wear for myself, but that's not what I answered about..

 

[SixCats]

My answer was to your question at the end of your post - Does the majority of the (every day) Fragrance buying public, purchase Fragrances with the soul intent of "this Fragrance will make me more attractive/elicit compliments ?" And my answer as it pertains to me would definitely be false

Got it! Now I see how I confused the issue. Thanks hednic.

SixCats!