By Tom
Okay, I’ve been dashing around trying to get together a cheap outfit for a formal evening event. Who knew that finding an inexpensive formal shirt and bow tie would be so hard? I thought shops would be giving them away, practically. Ah well, the search continues..
I did manage a quick dash into Scentbar, which I am sure shocks none of you. I can’t call these reviews, but here are some impressions:
Roca Perfumes Lemon Cloud is a total giggle. It starts sweet and sparkly, like prosecco mixed with limoncello. How bad could that be? The ending is slightly musky and flowery and girly in a wholly wonderful way. I’d likely wear crinolines before this, however I do like it a lot in the abstract. $75 for 50ml.
Idole de Lubin EDP takes everything you loved about the original and makes it much deeper but not louder. The copy on their site mentions women like Amelia Earhart and Karen Blixen; I’m seeing bias-cut silk and white ties in the jungle. Gorgeous. $160 for 100ml.
They had a tester of Luctor et Emergo, which I haven’t smelled in years. They apparently hadn’t had a tester for a long while. I know there are some on whom it’s divine, but I am not one of them. On me it smells exactly like Play-Doh, and I mean exactly. $130 for 100ml.
I’ll take suggestions for what scent to wear to my ‘do tomorrow night in the comments here. If someone takes a picture of me where I don’t look like Ed Asner’s older, bitter and more rotund cousin I’ll post it to FacePlace..
Image: Catalogs.com
I can’t improve on these suggestions but the Eau Sauvage has my vote! Have fun!
What about Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling if you’re in a cheeky mood? Although now that I think about it, smelling like a cocktail at a formal event in these present times might not be advisable :(
NP
HA! So true. It could be worse, I could wear a hefty dose of if Kinski, which would make me smell stoned..
Ha! It took me a while at first since it’s been a while since I played with the stuff. But when it hit me it was like a light went off..
I never smelled LeE but I did try Anne Pliska – spritzed…got one of those…:-?.moments….couldn’t define it….wracked my po’ head for the rest of the evening…finally, 2am…I sit bolt upright in bed and yell “PLAY-DOH”! …
El O didn’t turn a hair. Just kept snoring away. Guess he’s used to it by now. ;))
xo >-)
I am with you on the Luctor et Emergo front. Play-doh, EXACTLY. I couldn’t scrub it off fast enough. I did like their Amaze, though.
How about Lalique’s Encre Noire? It’s a recently purchased cheap thrill for me, and I like it quite a bit.
Don’t have that one; must try it!
Eau Sauvauge, or else one of the really restrained Hermes citrus colognes. Just enough so you smell *like* something, but not of something, does that make sense?
Seconding the thrift store idea, or a nice consignment shop. I’m late to the party with this, but I hope you have a good time at yours :)
Eau S and Hermes are always a good choice, and I know exactly what you mean.
I also like Eau Sauvauge very much! Great choice!
I posted my perfume reco’s yesterday on PST so I won’t repeat here, but I just have to thank you for that hilarious image of “Ed Asner’s older, bitter cousin.” I needed a good chuckle today. Merci! Have fun at the event!
I’m sure I will!
Hey Tom– I have been loving on Nuit de Noel–it’s sort of a shiny night time fragrance, and it might be fun for your do. I have a tiny bottle of Chanel Egoiste which also strikes me as fun for fancy time, although I have no idea what the notes are. Have fun!!:)>-
I love that Caron and have a decant; thanks for the suggestion!
Formal affairs can be sure a bore, wear the Roca Perfumes Lemon Cloud and bring some life to the party.
I like it in theory, but it wouldn’t really work on me. My hostess however..
I have to second Pour Monsieur- it smells swoonworthy on a man in formalwear ( or anywear really ) but black tie just adds the final ‘oooohmph’. Also I have smelled Boudoir on a man in a dinner jacket and it was fantastic. Good luck and enjoy your soirée!
Chanel’s Pour Monsieure is one of those scents that’s phenomenal no matter what. Or maybe Pleasures for men. On the side note, I’ve been dying to get a good sniff of Lubin’s Idole EDP. I know Luckyscent can send me a .7ml sample for $4 but I prefer a 1.5 spray for testing perfumes.
I wish they’d offer that option. The idole is wonderful.
Then I’m going to have to wait to see if the Perfumed Court is going to carry it so I can get a decant.
Histoires de Parfums 1740 (Marquis de Sade) would be a great choice I think. I actually picture a well dressed man when I smell it, as opposed to the Marquis I suppose. I don’t really know if he dressed well or not.
Hmm, that is such a dodgy name for a perfume – what were they thinking! If someone admires it and asks what you are wearing, I can imagine a considerable amount of time will have to be spent justifying your choice – a bit like wearing Eau de Goebbels or Dahmer Nuii.
Or Tramp from Opus Oils. I was wearing it once when I picked up my son from kindergarten and another mom asked what fragrance I had on.
=))
😕
b-(
oh, wth: =))
xo >-)
L’Instant Pour Homme will take you anywhere…
Sadly I don’t have it anywhere in my larder..
I know it’s mid-winter, but I’m thinking something sparkly like gin and tonic…what is that one by L’artisan? Or Serge Lutens…his fragrances all have (to me anyway) that cool elegant quality. I think you could rock one of those! Hope you have a great time! :-)
thanks! And thanks for the suggestions!
for inexpensive clothing stuff, have you tried consignment or vintage shops? I have had good luck lately.
I have no idea what scent you could wear…(I like Bond Bleeker St. though…?)
That’s exactly what I did! And it did work out perfectly..
oh cool! :)
Hi, Tom, thanks for the mini reviews; I had wondered about a couple of them. I seem to recall a while back that you really liked the Puredistance M. If you have a sample (or can get one), that sounds like a winner for your ‘do.
That is a sure-fire winner indeed.
I loved “I’d wear crinolines before this.”
If you are one of those men for whom Carnal Flower works, how about a spritz of that for your formal occasion?
Tuberose doesn’t work on me sadly..