Potion Blue Cadet Dsquared² 2013

"... and my father drove a White Cadet!" Specifically, a three-door white Opel Kadett B LS. For years, he had been a diehard beetle driver, but with the birth of your review writer, the family needed roomy transportation, a car with a trunk. Therefore, in the early 1970s, the aforementioned "White Cadet" was acquired and my parents still praise it as the first car with a heating system worthy of its name. It is amazing what associations come forward when one sees the name of a perfume label. But what, then, is the message that Dsquared seeks to convey? Is "Blue Cadet" an allusion to an unlucky-in-love Navy cadet far away from home? Or is it a reference to male aquatic scents a la "Old Spice" with the navigator flair of past generations? Well then, let's approach this question via the scent itself ...

The new bottle is of the same shape as the original bottle, except that the label listing the contents has been adjusted, plus the color of the liquid and the box are a rich blue. Not very imaginative, but as a marketing effort to create a fragrance family quite logic, especially since the bottle with its black top is timelessly attractive and fits well in the hand. I like it.

The scent starts fresh, citric, with precise notes of mandarin and grapefruit which definitely taste fruity without any resemblance to those artificial lemonade aromas. Tart and woody notes follow making a nice contrast, but I could not name any individual trees. A soft tonka and a comfortable understated musk can be found in the base.

I like this scent because it combines the current trendy fruit notes with classic woody accords and a cozy warm base. This is not particularly exciting or even interesting, there is no special magic ... this scent is just easy and wearable. Absolutely recommended not only as a fresh, fruity Summer scent but also for cooler days. Know that the sillage is not intrusive but makes a rather relaxed statement. The durability stretches loosely over a whole working day and what I find remarkable is that the head notes do not slacken off but continue on with their fresh and fruity components. The single notes are very balanced and harmonize well together. A trustworthy and agreeable companion during a hard office day. Yes, female co-workers might sniff with some interest, but a "Grrrrr" reaction is not coming.

So, the scent does not match - I am sure - the Opel Kadett driver of the 70s. Neither does it go with the edgy explorer types who prefer male, maritime fragrances of past times such as "Old Spice". Rather think of relaxed boaters on Lake Steinhude near Hanover or family weekend pedalo riders on Lake Kesselohe in Munich's English Garden. And, I am quite sure that it fits well with all those colleagues who love a calm and understated scent in the office. "Potion Blue Cadet" is a delightful fragrance promoting a good mood for the whole day, but it certainly is no magic potion ... or love potion.

(Translation: Pipette)