Courrèges Homme Courrèges 1977 Eau de Toilette

I will spare the reader the flurry of tautologies that come with my occasional writer's block as Courrèges Homme actually does inspire me: for once, something that I hazard to buy blind hits receptors in mind and revives me. It is one of those that switches off the seemingly inexorable conveyor built of life and invites me in to smell its AM Gold aldehyde citrus, its granular sandalwood and afternoon delight myrrh. It's dreamy, but not soporific, though I wouldn't mind wearing this on a lazy day while reading Hemingway or watching Midnight Cowboy (cue the John Barry theme).

It's a hazy, gauzy masculinity, nodding to both mid-century chypre and Eastern ambers, with a sillage that belies its seeming softness. In an age where manhood is approached as if an expletive, I will, at the risk of perceived New Age navel-gazing, will declare this Courrèges Homme as a muse to mull over my state of being a man, in a brown study, thinking and feeling, peeling away the tension, shedding the tyranny of identity, and just accepting who I am and the life I've lived. Soft and strong are not mutually exclusive, in perfume, and also in a human's life.

This 1970s Gerard Anthony creation has a gentle spicy citrus opening that quickly gives way to a balsamic combo of mysore sandalwood, myrrh, and ambergris. It's smooth, a bit light. The vibe I get is a cross between vintage Equipage and vintage Rothschild, but more sandalwoody and more refined.

Projection is light but longevity is good.

Masculinity Level: Peter O'Toole in Lord Jim.

Yes, it still exists, and indeed at the relevant vintage dealers on the bay. One of them was kind enough to deliver an OF in impeccable condition to me today...

Yes, it fits its time, and on the other hand, it does not. The dry spiciness was certainly in tune with the spirit of the times; masculine, dry, uncompromising. And yet, this fragrance plays with accords during its development that were rather unusual at the time. It even becomes a bit "cheeky" in the heart and base by sending a touch of sweetness. However, the cheekiness doesn't last too long and quickly fades away. A brief "rebellion," but that was about it.

Nevertheless, the impression of a solid, somewhat old-fashioned men's fragrance with a conservative aura remains, and for my taste, these are by no means the worst attributes.

Courreges actually delivers regularly. A mega hit like "Niagara" just doesn't come off the assembly line; still, it's definitely a nice scent for old-school enthusiasts.