Even the olfactory world has trends. In the ’90s, you couldn’t escape the scent of CK One in every suburban mall, just like in 2010, Santal 33 was the ubiquitous aroma in every NYC elevator. And it’s not a recent phenomenon. In the ’40s and ’50s, men wore citrus-heavy colognes, while 19th-century French aristocrats favored florals. Today (and as noted in our best colognes of 2024 piece) scents are bolder, indie perfumery continues to rise and vanilla and liquor accords are having a moment. But like the finest art (and fragrance is art), the best classic and popular colognes aren’t just trendy — they are trend-proof.
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Curated and packed with elevated grooming essentials he might not buy for himselfWe all know the OGs — Polo Green, Acqua di Gio, Cool Water, Dior Sauvage — legends that revolutionized fragrance and cemented their status. No doubt, they changed the olfactory game. But if you’re even remotely into cologne, you’ve likely worn them already. This list takes a slightly different approach. Think luxe indie favorites, old-school Italian staples and Parisian stalwarts, each an enduring aroma or a modern icon shaping the scent landscape. And because tastes evolve, this list isn’t set in stone, so check back because we’ll likely add more. For now, here are eight of the greatest hits worth adding to your forever fragrance rotation.
The Best Classic Colognes, According to InsideHook
- Best Intro Cologne: Creed Aventus, $265+
- Best Old-School Cologne: Acqua Di Parma Colonia, $154+
- Best Woody Cologne: Tom Ford Oud Wood, $300
- Best Fresh Cologne: Le Labo The Matcha 26, $107+
- Best Sophisticated Cologne: Hermes Terre d’Hermes, $170+
- Best Citrus Cologne: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos, $270+
- Best Vetiver Cologne: Guerlain Vetiver, $130
- Best Signature Cologne: Byredo Gypsy Water, $230+
In This Guide
For the Scent Newbie: Creed Aventus
Why We Love It: The renowned fragrance house Creed is a gateway into luxury scent for many, myself included. When I first experienced Millésime Impérial, I was taken aback by its complexity, regal character and intoxicating appeal, a far cry from the mass-produced perfumes I had grown up with. Creed’s reputation speaks for itself, boasting multiple icons in its canon, from the opulent Millésime Impérial, to the slightly sweet Green Irish Tweed, to the verdant Original Vetiver. But for my money, nothing commands universal admiration quite like their masterpiece, Aventus. It’s been my go-to for formal occasions ever since its launch in 2010, a fruity chypre that blends bergamot, black currant, apple, lemon and pink pepper with pineapple and patchouli, all resting on a base of birch, musk, oakmoss and cedarwood. The result is sophisticated, addictive and layered, the scent of a man with a purpose who’s moving through life with confidence. And, more importantly, it smells damn good on just about everyone.
Who It’s For: Luxury fragrance first-timers.
Type: Eau de Parfum | Key Notes: Lemon, Pineapple, Patchouli | Fragrance Family: Fruity | Size: 1.7 oz. – 17.0 oz.
For the OG Gentleman: Acqua Di Parma Colonia
Why We Love It: When it comes to classic colognes (old-school, unmistakably gentlemanly), Colonia is always part of the conversation. First created in 1916, this Italian stalwart remains as relevant today as it was more than a century ago. The classic cologne category is often defined by citrus and floral notes, evoking a scent with history — think barbershops on cobblestone streets, an air of quiet sophistication. Colonia is that fragrance. While citrus plays a role, it’s not the star; instead, it melds with lavender, rosemary, musk, vetiver, Bulgarian rose and sandalwood before settling into a refined base of patchouli and amber. If a cologne were to be sealed in a time capsule and opened in the year 3000, this would be a worthy contender. Sophisticated, elegant and effortlessly chic, this scent will never go out of style.
Who It’s For: Fans of a “classic” scent.
Type: Eau De Cologne | Key Notes: Calabrian Bergamot, Sandalwood, Patchouli | Fragrance Family: Citrus | Size: 1.7 oz. – 6.0 oz.
For the Hyper-Masculine Hombre: Tom Ford Oud Wood
Why We Love It: Tom Ford has crafted many iconic scents, from the undeniably regal Tobacco Vanille to the summertime villa staple Neroli Portofino. But for my money, Oud Wood is the one every woodsy fan should have in their rotation. Oud has been making waves stateside for years, and naturally, Tom Ford puts his signature spin on it with a chic, alluring and refined scent. This masterpiece leans spicy, with cardamom and pink pepper setting the stage before drying down into a rich, warm blend of amber, patchouli and, of course, oud. Released in 2007 as part of the Private Blend collection (known for its elevated ingredients and sophisticated compositions), Oud Wood has never waned in popularity. It’s a modern woody oriental classic, encapsulating everything that makes Tom Ford’s fragrances so appealing in the first place.
Who It’s For: Woodsy warriors.
Type: Eau De Parfum | Key Notes: Oud Wood, Sandalwood, Chinese Pepper | Fragrance Family: Woody | Size: 0.3 oz. – 3.4 oz.
The Tom Ford Scents That Defined an Era
How he blurred the lines between designer and niche — and made fragrance exciting againFor the Fresh Fragrance Obsessed: Le Labo The Matcha 26
Why We Love It: I’ve heard plenty of editors swear by Matcha over the omnipresent Santal, and honestly, I couldn’t agree more. I’m a Noir guy when it comes to Le Labo, but this list is about the popular and the enduring, and the fresh, fougère of Matcha has officially reached cult classic cool-guy status. I’m not usually a fig fan, and at first spritz, that note comes through strong alongside a hint of tea. But be patient, dear wearer, because the dry-down is where the magic happens. Cedarwood and bitter orange weave together into something intoxicating, complex and unmistakably Le Labo: indie, artisanal and effortlessly cool. I’ll admit Santal is a masterpiece, but at this point, it’s beyond played out. In 2025, let’s strive for more originality. Matcha is popular but not mundane, and it’s a future classic in training.
Who It’s For: Fellas who want to smell extra fresh. Also, performative males.
Type: Eau De Parfum | Key Notes: Matcha Tea Accord, Fig, Vetiver | Fragrance Family: Citrus | Size: 0.5 oz. – 16.9 oz.
For the Sophisticated Francophile: Hermes Terre d’Hermes
Why We Love It: Terre d’Hermès smells like it should cost far more than it does, making it arguably the best iconic steal on this list. I first encountered this woody, ambery masterpiece while working as an editor at Esquire, and it quickly became a go-to. It’s versatile and wears well at the office and for a night out (a cliché, but true here). Released in 2006, it opens with citrus notes that don’t dominate so much as they soften the composition. Pepper and flint add a sharp, mineral-like spice, but the cedar and patchouli base brings this spicy, woody and subtly sweet fragrance to life. At some point in your olfactory journey, you need a bottle of Terre d’Hermès. It’s one of those rare, addictive scents that carries classic confidence, and no matter how often you smell it, it never gets old.
Who It’s For: The sophisticate with a nose for woody scents.
Type: Eau De Cologne | Key Notes: Grapefruit, Flint, Oakmoss | Fragrance Family: Woody | Size: 2.5 oz. – 6.7 oz.
For the Rarified Mediterranean Man: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos
Why We Love It: Inspired by the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification and its rich cultural heritage, Xerjoff’s Naxos has been a sensation since its 2015 launch. It holds an almost mythical status among younger fragrance enthusiasts on social media and anyone who appreciates olfactory artistry. Lavender takes center stage (fitting, given its recent resurgence), but what sets Naxos apart is its unexpected blend of vanilla, tobacco and honey, creating a citrus gourmand masterpiece. While the opening leans sweet, the dry-down unveils layers of complexity, where regal lavender melds with rich vanilla, warm honey and a masculine touch of tobacco. The projection is fantastic, and the hype shows no signs of fading. Anyone remotely into fragrance already knows about this gem, but it’s only a matter of time before it reaches an even wider audience, and rightfully so. It smells incredible.
Who It’s For: Mediterranean pilgrims and yacht owners.
Type: Eau De Parfum | Key Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Honey, Tobacco | Fragrance Family: Woody, Citrus | Size: 3.4 oz.
For Vetiver Devotees: Guerlain Vetiver
Why We Love It: In the 1950s, Guerlain introduced its now-iconic Vetiver, a masterful blend of citrus, spices and tobacco. The house’s perfumer at the time set out to create a subtle yet evocative Vetiver scent that captured the earth’s exhalations in the pale dawn light (talk about an olfactory painting). The result is a cologne that is fresh, woodsy, bare bones and undeniably classic. If you’re looking for a gateway into vetiver’s world, this is a fine place to start. Since its debut, it has set the standard, inspiring countless others. Timeless and refined, it’s a cologne that has lived in your dad’s and granddad’s medicine cabinets and deserves a spot in yours, too.
Who It’s For: Sensitive noses that still want a poppy and fresh fragrance.
Type: Eau De Toilette | Key Notes: Citrus, Nutmeg, Vetiver | Fragrance Family: Woody, Fresh | Size: 1.7 oz. – 6.0 oz.
A Vetiver Cologne Is Forever in Scent Style
The fresh and unique Vetiver colognes we love.For the Socialite in Need of a Scent: Byredo Gypsy Water
Why We Love It: Gypsy Water helped put Byredo on the map, making the brand a household name while still feeling like the most “indie” scent on this list. That tracks, considering Byredo was one of the first houses to blend luxury with artisanal fragrance pyramids and have it appeal to the masses. I love many of their scents, but Gypsy Water was the first I fell for. On paper, it’s a woodsy fragrance, but there’s so much more to it — a lemony, aromatic, citrusy-powdery twist on classic woods. It follows a somewhat traditional cologne structure yet introduces warm, balsamic, almost church-like undertones. Highly wearable yet distinctive, it’s been a favorite of stylish guys since its 2008 debut and will continue to be for years to come. Plus, the name is just undeniably cool.
Who It’s For: Anyone looking for a signature scent.
Type: Eau De Parfum | Key Notes: Bergamot, Pepper, Incense, Amber | Fragrance Family: Woody | Size: 1.7 oz.
Classic Cologne FAQ
What makes a cologne “classic” versus “popular”?
Taste is subjective; when a fragrance becomes part of the zeitgeist, it often carries that indescribable “it factor,” a scent people want to wear and project. A classic cologne is timeless; a popular perfume is what everyone is wearing right now.
Are all classic colognes old?
Not at all — a variety of colognes on this list have been released within the past 20 years.
What are the common notes in classic colognes?
The profiles of “classic” colognes vary greatly — they range from deep and woodsy to bright and citrusy. That being said, classic colognes tend to lean on some universal timeless scents: bergamont, lemon, sandal or cedarwood and more.
What classic colognes did famous people wear?
We’re glad you asked — you can find a comprehensive list of the scents sported by Frank Sinatra, David Bowie and more here.
How We Made These Picks
We’ve selected the above colognes based on a variety of factors: their general popularity, as defined by public intrigue, market impact and cultural relevance, as well as our own personal experience with the scents. As experts in the field, we’ve (collectively) spent decades testing hundreds of colognes across all manner of brands and scent families and generally immersed ourselves in the world of fragrance, which informed our top picks for the most classic colognes of all time.
Why You Should Trust Us
InsideHook is committed to the highest standard of independent, unbiased and trustworthy product journalism. With a team of field experts and industry veterans who routinely research and test new products, we offer in-depth and cutting-edge coverage, with the specific intention of delivering accurate, relevant and honest reviews of products we endorse and often personally use. We may earn a small affiliate commission when you purchase products through our links, but items featured are always independently selected.
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