Hello, Posse folks! Wishing everyone a happy Father’s Day!! Even if you may not be not a biological or adoptive father, it’s highly likely that you fill that role in someone’s life, either as a role model, a dog or cat dad, an uncle, a big brother, a mentor, or in another supportive role.
I didn’t know my father well at all; my folks divorced when I was 2, he moved away, and my grandmother and grandfather raised me. Even though he was a strict disciplinarian and tough as nails, my grandfather always seemed to have a soft spot for me, “his Annie,” and I knew he loved me beyond words. Even when I was late for dinner one night (he liked to eat precisely at 5 and the TV show “Dark Shadows” ran late one afternoon at my friend’s house). He came down the street looking for me and I ran around him and tore down the street yelling at the top of my lungs, “I’m sorry, Grandpa — please don’t spank me!!” I ran home and hid and by the time he got home, he was too tired (and perhaps too embarrassed) to punish me. Thinking back on it, maybe he was just worried about me as I was usually quite punctual. I have to wonder what the neighbors must have thought at the sight of the little girl running down the street and the old man coming after her.
I don’t have any early scent memories of father figures in my life; I don’t remember my grandfather wearing any cologne (although I do seem to remember a white, almost conical bottle of Old Spice in the bathroom cabinet). But the dad of one of my boyfriends wore Drakkar Noir, which, in that sleek black bottle, seemed pretty exotic at the time. Since then, men in my life have worn YSL’s Kouros, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren Polo and Calvin Klein Obsession. My DH has worn an Ermenegildo Zegna, a Cartier or two, and Victor & Rolf Spicebomb, but is still partial to the original Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme, which smells amazing on him.
What about you? Do you have any scent memories of your father or significant man or men in your life? Or if not, what scent or scents do you wish they would wear?
oooh! and Dark Shadows! Jonathan Fridd as the MOST unlikely sex symbol for pre-pubescent girls! lol!
Awwwwww!!!! And Old Spice, absolutely. I think we gave him a bottle every year. I still love the smell.
My dad wore an assortment of things during the years of my life and his. (He died at age 52, more than 25 years ago.) I remember Aqua Velva, English Leather, Grey Flannel (my favorite), Pierre Cardin (my mom’s favorite). My husband wears things that I pick out for him including Paloma Picasso Minotaure’, Guerlain Vetiver, Gucci pour Homme, Terre d’Hermes and a handful of sample vials. I buy my dear stepdad scented aftershave balm. His favorites have been Terre d’Hermes and Chanel Monsieur.
I don’t remember my dad wearing cologne, and only extremely rarely a little Royal Copenhagen aftershave.
My husband likes to wear Alfred Sung Paradise, which smells lovely on him, but I sneak and try to get him to wear Vetiver Extraordinaire, which is amazing on him.
Interestingly, I have no scent memories of my dad (who lived to be 91, so you’d think …omg! nebber mind!)
Okay – so. Early in my life I’m sure my dad wore something ‘dad-ish’, probably Old Spice or its ilk….I remember my mother complaining, DAILY, that the coffee cup he left filled with hot water for her smelled like his aftershave. I also remember thinking ‘JUST GET ANOTHER CUP!!!’ – but maybe the complaint was part of her daily ritual.
In my dad’s much later years, though, he stopped showering, as so many elderly are wont to do (his CNA thought it might have something to do with the thinning of the skin – showers seem to hurt a lot of much-older people, it seems) – anyhoo, he took to wearing BOD, Axe’s evil, low-rent cousin. That stuff could cause a Hazmat incident. When he came to live with us, I threw all those villains away!
xoxoA
Hey there Ann,
My Dad was a creature of habit and the only thing I remember him wearing was Tabac Original by Maurer & Wurtz.
I still love the scent of it and use the Shave Soap and Balm, often you’ll find the Body Soap in my dish as well. Every now and then if I have a pre bed bath, instead of bubbles or oil I’ll add a hefty dose of the Tabac Original EdC just before I jump in, the smell is gorgeous and relaxing.
Portia xx
Hi, Ann! My dad passed away many years ago, but even now I have a soft spot in my heart for Old Spice.
My stepfather wore Polo. I got him a huge bottle (4oz) one Christmas. When he went into the hospital for his final illness, I remember standing and looking at the half-empty bottle on the bathroom counter and being glad he’d enjoyed my gift.