Cologne can be overpowering. It is just an unfortunate fact that a lot of the colognes we buy for ourselves can be too much for the senses and sting the nostrils in an unpleasant way.
That’s not to say that there aren’t good strong smelling colognes out there, because there are, it’s just that you don’t need a strong smelling cologne for every occasion.
Work, college, casual events, these are the kinds of events that we don’t really want to overpower everyone in the room, but just want a clean, subtle smell to enhance our presence.
There aren’t too many subtle smelling colognes out there today, but we have given a lot of thought here about the ones we like.
In this article, we seek to tell you about these colognes and why they are best as a clean smelling and subtle scent.
Best Clean Smelling And Subtle Men’s Colognes
OUR TOP PICK
Armani’s Giorgio Acqua Di Gio is a wonderful smelling cologne, it is clean, subtle and perfect for almost any occasion.
This cologne was inspired by Armani’s trip to southern Italy in 1996, and it takes the very best of smells from the areas: the sea breeze, the warm sunlight, and the citrus coming off the trees.
What makes this cologne great is that it isn’t very strong in terms of scent, but the scent can linger, and it tends to last around six hours.
In this way, it is great for everyday use and doesn’t tend to get overwhelming, while also maintaining a timeless essence about it that reminds you of the open sea.
EDITORS CHOICE
Kenneth Cole’s Men's cologne is one of the best smelling colognes for the men out there.
The best thing about this one is that the fresh scent is enhanced by sweet, but strong citrus notes, making it particularly sought after during the summer and spring months.
While it is a soft smell, it is immediately noticeable without being overpowering.
The notes of sweet orange and apple work in harmony with the earthy musk to create a pleasant blend that lingers in the air. It is a light, yet clean scent and could be combined with almost any attire to become a look as well as a smell.
BEST VALUE
Calvin Klein’s Eternity Aqua was released as a modern version of Calvin Klein’s Eternity for men and as a softer accompaniment for less dressy occasions.
It is a fantastic smelling cologne that utilizes the smell of fresh cucumber and sandalwood to make the user imagine lying in the sun on an ocean yacht.
The effortlessness of the smell is not immediately attention grabbing, but persists with a distinctive, pleasant odor that is great for daily wear and lasts upwards of six hours, even on the most hot and humid days.
If you are looking for a cologne that can be used for casual events without the worry of dressing up, then this is the one for you.
RUNNER UP
Classy, elegant, and irresistible is the best way to describe this cologne. Unlike Eternity Aqua, Vera Wang for Men is not about casual effortlessness.
It is about dedicated style and chic unrivaled. If you were looking for a cologne to take on a fancy date, then this is the one for you.
It is a soft, warm scent that is smooth and does not announce itself with a strong pervading odor.
Rather it does not need to announce itself, for it is subtle and wafts of sandalwood, tobacco, mandarin leaf, and yuzu will echo around the room.
This cologne is good for most formal or high status events, not just dates. Meetings, interviews, and even business trips are places to spritz this cologne on yourself.
RUNNER UP
This fragrance doesn’t just scream cleanliness like the others do, but it is almost jaunty and revitalizing in its way.
The scent is overwhelmingly fresh, with the base notes being honey, amber, and musk, the middle being sandalwood and ivy leaves, and the top notes being lemon and grapefruit.
This makes for a fragrance that tells people around you that you are fresh and ready to greet the day.
The best part about it is that it doesn’t give off the vibe that you have some big event planned, just that you are ready for whatever you are doing, whether that be hiking a fair distance or just reading throughout the afternoon.
RUNNER UP
Jimmy Choo Man is actually the first fragrance put out by the shoe designer, Jimmy Choo, and we have to say, they did a fantastic job.
It is the perfect accompaniment to the modern man, being elegant, sophisticated, and distinct while overpowering everyone in the room.
It doesn’t use too many ingredients, but because of this it kind of has a universal appeal.
The fragrance is quite aromatic, with a foundation built upon a woody scent and accentuated with citrusy and peppery notes.
As such, it is a great fragrance to use every day, but also for social events where you may not know too many people.
RUNNER UP
Prada’s Luna Rossa Sport is probably the cologne on this list that is the strongest smelling, however, that doesn’t mean it is too much. Its scent is one of cleanliness and when sprayed it is very fresh smelling.
The reason it is quite strong is that it is meant to be used after workouts or during activities to mask the expected body odor that would come with these activities.
As such, its base scents of musk, sandalwood, and cedar with pineapple and peach on top to make you smell fresh, but to avoid being too strong for other people.
RUNNER UP
Unlike others on this list, Yacht Man isn’t fancy. It is not hundreds of dollars, in fact one bottle will set you back an amount below $30, but that doesn’t make it bad.
Indeed, if you are on a budget, then this is the cologne for you.
It is not overwhelming, and it has a nice subtle smell that feels a little like a slight breeze coming off the sea.
It is the perfect summer wear for a quick day trip out, a casual date with a new partner, or a catch-up with some old friends. You only need a couple of sprays, and you’re good to go.
RUNNER UP
Everyone knows this fragrance, and you all knew it would be somewhere on this list.
Davidoff Cool Water is the real classic, subtle fragrance that conjures images of summers on the ocean to mind. It is one of the best-selling colognes of all time and continues to sell today at a rapid pace.
The underlying base of musk, tobacco, and amber work well with the seawater, mint, lavender, and rosemary notes that are added on top.
While it doesn’t last long, the smell is enchanting and people get hooked on buying this cologne pretty quick.
Conclusion
As you can, there are a few options for subtle and clean smelling colognes, and honestly, why would you want another variety?
Other colognes assault the nose, but these ones just enhance the wearer’s charm. If you are looking for a cologne this summer, taking one of these is your best bet.
We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
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