Pour Monsieur

A Gentleman's Cologne / For Men

Chanel 1955 Eau de Toilette

This pure and fine lemon scent is primarily associated with "older gentlemen," presumably because it was created back in 1955 (in whatever formulation). Back then, there wasn't even a James Bond yet; World War II had just ended, and men were still splashing harsh stuff on their faces after manually scraping off their stubble!

Therefore, "Chanel pour Monsieur" should actually be a classic "grandpa scent" that smells of fresh shaving, classic soap, and a hint of floral bouquet. But it doesn't! Of course, we are not dealing with a representative of the current mainstream here, but if a fragrance is timeless for me, then it's this one. Citrus fruits, basil, a bit of earthiness, and a touch of spice: the ultimate freshness kick is ready! And it’s so intense and linear that you could bathe in it... even in the drydown, when the citrus fades a bit and the spiciness takes over.

I have tested many old classics and found it hard to connect with most of them. Here, it’s (finally) different: no overpowering floral note and just the right nuance of soapiness. The rest is freshness that may not be suitable for modern flirting, but definitely contributes to personal well-being beyond Eau de Cologne and the like. A bit of resinous or smoky notes added, and we would be looking at an absolutely modern fragrance.

Therefore, I am quite enthusiastic and would describe the sillage as exorbitant for a citrus scent! And one more thing I want to mention at this point: Vetiver is absolutely my thing because this grass is present in practically all of my favorite fragrances!