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The 1980s was a decade in which men’s fragrance not only got bolder, but the selection really start to expand with the market. Cologne was now starting to become more than a niche aspect of perfumery and designers really began to focus on creating memorable scents for men. So, what are the most popular or best smelling scents from the 80s? Which stood the test of time from this decade? Here’s my list.
What are the Top Smelling Men’s Fragrances from the 80s?
The list is going to consist of best-sellers and what I think are some of the best smelling scents (and fragrances that land in both categories).
Here are my lists for other decades: The 1970s and 1990s
Overlooked Reinterpretation
YSL Pour Homme Haute Concentration– When talking about 1980s colognes from Yves Saint Laurent, most people will mean the next entry on my list. However, this remix of a 1971 classic, is just overall a more enjoyable fragrance to me.
The opening is a concentrated Amalfi lemon that is quite intense with a sour quality to it. But, that will be toned down into a ‘dustier’ sort of lemon smell when the oakmoss, petitgrain, and rosemary coming through. Rosemary, is actually quite strong in the composition.
It’s citrusy, spicy, and somewhat green and herbal in the opening stages. Then, it settles down into more of a soapier fresh kind of fragrance. I really enjoy the dry down of this one.
I do hate the splash bottle that this fragrance came in. But, for a 30+ year old gift set scent (complete with ancient soap), this one still holds up and has been getting plenty of use from me. YSL Haute Concentration
Kicked off the Decade
Kouros by YSL– Really, Yves Saint Laurent had a run from 1981 to about 2005-ish, which was unreal in terms of producing classics. Just banger after banger. That run started out with the release of Kouros.
The modern version? It’s still pretty good. I have a bottle of the Fraicheur version from 1993 and it is much stronger than the current bottles of Kouros…and that was designed as a ‘lighter’ summer edition of this formula.
Much more tame and wearable for the times, while still having the charms of the original. Kouros Review
Classic Jazz
Jazz by Yves Saint Laurent– Jazz is one that has been discontinued and reinstated many times over the decades. Last I checked, it is now discontinued again. But, this late 1980s fragrance really helped to cap the decade for YSL and continued its leadership in this space.
Coriander and nutmeg kick things off as the main spices. You do also get some slight use of cinnamon and basil notes. The spice is a nice opening act, but this one is a lavender-led cologne that is dry and has a classic barbershop sensibility.
It does become less spicy, cleaner, sweeter, and more floral. This is super versatile and a modernized take on this older style of scent. Jazz Review
Big Ego
Chanel Egoiste– Egoiste was technically released in 1990. Though, its predecessor Bois Noir was brought to market in 1987. Essentially, they’re the same thing.
Regardless of when you want to date it from, Egoiste is still an amazing fragrance, and absolutely holds up in the modern environment. This is one I wore a lot over the autumn and winter months and got plenty of complements on.
Dry and spicy up top. Coriander and cinnamon really hit hard in the beginning. A bit fruity with mandarin and a sweetness brought about by the pink Damask rose, which plays a fairly large role here.
Tobacco and rose will play plenty of support, but the woods here are the star. Sandalwood, in particular, with some rosewood and light mahogany. Seems like Egoiste will live on in perpetuity. Egoiste Review
1981 Again
Antaeus by Chanel– The other big French release of 1981. Antaeus has some mild similarities to Kouros, but really does its own thing. Leathery, masculine, rose, with an animalic quality that is present in the beginning.
The floral and cleaner notes really come through towards the tail-end of things, along with a pretty powerful musk note. Really, this is my full recollection of testing out this scent a few years back. It’s not one that I’m super familiar with and do need to acquire it for further review.
I will say, Antaeus is one that probably needs to be tested by guys before they commit to purchasing a full bottle. It can be pretty divisive, but ultimately, I think it’s highly wearable for the right type of guy.
Woody Zino
Zino Davidoff by Zino Davidoff for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 4.2 Ounce
It’s a total 1980s fragrance, that provides something different from most modern releases, while note feeling out of date itself.
Masculine with enough sweetness in vanilla and floral notes. Yet, it is mainly a deep woody/patchouli fragrance that sits beautifully in the colder air of late autumn and winter. Very well done. Smooth and not too heavy, but with enough performance to get through a standard work day.
Earthy with a dry woods, it comes together as clean, but definitely has an underlying dirtiness.
The Famous Davidoff
Davidoff Cool Water Edt Spray for Men, 6.7 oz
Greenish blue opening act, with tobacco and mint really playing a major role. The tobacco feels more like an unprocessed plant, rather than pipe tobacco. Neroli and lavender round out the start along with the feeling of an aquatic accord. Though, this is way less oceanic than you might expect.
Later, it does start to feel more aquatic. Lavender, mint, and the general aquatic accord that this one has. Minty aquatic, less of its soapy phase from the early to mid point of the wear. Still worth checking out nowadays. Cool Water Review
Mr. Giorgio
Giorgio by Giorgio Beverly Hills– Giorgio definitely comes with that old school vibe. Last time that I tried it, the fragrance was an absolute bomb on my skin for at least a couple of hours. Then, it moderated somewhat.
But, this 1984 cologne does give you something different from almost all of the newer releases. Patchouli is the centerpiece. It’s earthy and somewhat dirty in its entirety, but still well put together.
Bright with aldehydes in support, some citrus, a handful of other spices and rose heading up the floral accord. Yet, it ends up being mostly about that patchouli, moss, and a honey touch overall. Not for everyone, but it slides into a place on this list.
Early Versace
Versace L’Homme by Versace for Men – 3.4 Ounce EDT Spray
Beyond that, it has so much depth, and a varied character. It opens up with a bold blend of citrus notes, headlined by lemon, and supported by bergamot.
Then, it dries down with leather, a cinnamon spice, and a mix of floral/woodsy notes. It’s got a clean aroma, with the citrus and leather. But then, the patchouli and other dry earthy elements come in, and dirty things up a tad.
It ends, as a smooth and dry citrus, with an air of absolute fresh spiciness. The longevity is good and the sillage can be pretty powerful, especially in the opening half hour or so. Very masculine and not really a teenager type of fragrance, at all.
Two Diors
Eau Sauvage Extreme Intense– So, I’m going to kind of combine two different Dior fragrances into one post. Reason being, I haven’t tried the 1980s editions of these fragrances, and both have been reformulated but are available in these newer forms (well, one is and the other on secondary markets).
Eau Sauvage Extreme and Jules are two from the first half of the decade, that preceded the next entry on the list.
I’m much more familiar with Eau Sauvage Extreme than Jules (which I remember trying, but don’t remember much of the smell. Extreme has a citrus, basil, and mint blend which is cool and fairly herbal early on in the wear.
Lavender and cedar come in to join the citrus as much of the initial fresh spiciness wears off. Extreme is good and supposedly pretty close to the 1980s edition. Eau Sauvage Extreme Review
Temps Rising
Fahrenheit By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.8 Oz.
As such, any 1980s list pretty much has to include it. While it’s not my personal go to, since violet leaf is one of my least favorite notes, I still appreciate this Dior scent versus many others that feature it so prominently.
Greenish, grassy, and that famed description of Fahrenheit smelling like gasoline. Sure, to some extent, but it’s overblown, and this one absolutely has a masculine refinement and great leather note.
It’s one that you have to vibe with, but for the right guy, this is signature cologne worthy. Fahrenheit Review
A Cartier Throwback
Cartier Santos De Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce
Santos starts off with a bit of a different tone, than what it’ll eventually settle down into. There is citrus at the top paired with juniper, along with prominent basil, and lavender. It’s got a upbeat and bright freshness to it, that invigorates.
As it dries down, there is a smoky woody aroma, led by sandalwood and the pepper/basil combo. The spice here is prevalent, but not annoyingly in your face, because it gets subdued by the trio of sandalwood/lavender/amber.
Joop!
Joop Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Fluid Ounce– Joop! is a fragrance that is pretty polarizing, but has continued to be pretty popular since the 1980s. For this list, I’m adding it mostly for that reason, as I’m not too much of a fan anymore…though, I still sort of like it.
Cinnamon and patchouli bomb, up top. An intense spice that fills the room, Joop will become sweeter and a masculine floral. It just has always been a loud and pretty obnoxious cologne. I would wear this back in the day and get mixed reactions from other people.
Mostly, this is going to be a cinnamon and vanilla floral perfume. Honey and sandalwood help to flank the two main notes. I’d probably still wear it on occasion, if I had a bottle nowadays. But, I’m also not in the market for one. Joop! Review
Obsess Much?
Calvin Klein Obsession For Men Cologne, .5 fl oz
Obsession has a lovely spice to it and features notes of mandarin, sandalwood, and amber. It’s got a great cinnamon led warmth and spice, that is supported by the nutmeg.
The amber creates a sort of an envelopment around the person wearing it and this is one of the reasons, that Obsession is so good during the winter time.
This is such a rich and enticing scent, good for everyday wear, but can also pull double duty as a date night go to. There is sweet vanilla and nutmeg, which help to round out the fragrance, and create a memorable wear.
Spicy and warm, yes, but also a smoky balsamic element that peaks through at times. The classic formulation of this was amazing, but it is still holding up well today.
Obsession has a good sillage and the longevity is decent, as well. This is a fragrance that can be worn in a variety of situations and has enough maturity for guys 30+. My Obsession review
Drakkar
Drakkar Noir– Drakkar has to be on the list. It’s funny nowadays how this cologne has become somewhat of a punchline for ‘bad’ or ‘unwearable’ fragrances, while there’s nothing inherently offensive about it. It’s actually pretty safe, so long as you don’t bathe in it, which is true for just about every other fragrance.
Personally, I’ve always found it to be just fine. I’ve never wanted full bottle, but also don’t hate the stuff. Drakkar is a dry and darker take on the classic soapy clean cologne.
It opens up with oakmoss and lavender already out in front, taking control of the structure. You get some cinnamon spice, a light citrus accord, and leathery facets. I tend to get a good deal of mint early, as well.
As it dries down, it becomes a woodsier aroma. A bit herbal, with the leather starting to come into play quite strongly. Again, it’s not bad and I somewhat like the scent. Yet, it still remains a best-seller, so there a plenty of guys who dig it. Drakkar Review
Love and Passion
Passion for Men by Elizabeth Taylor– Been a while since I last came across this one. Not sure if it has been completely reformulated, but the old stuff was good, and the current batches are super cheap.
I remember a bold spice early on of cinnamon, that was somewhat tempered by a lavender and the emerging vanilla note. Sweetness from some light fruity notes and citrus, all on top of a woody floral base of various ingredients.
Mostly, that citrus and lavender combination in the dry down phase with touches of the remaining sweetness, spices, and woods. If it is still anything like the older bottles, it’s a steal at the $20 or so that it goes for nowadays.
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.