Fall Fragrance Picks for Men: Hilde Soliani Bell'Antonio and Frederic Malle Geranium pour Monsieur


Hey fellas.  I've been thinking about what smells good wafting off a guy as the days get darker and the air gets chillier.  Here's my idea of the perfect autumnal capsule scent wardrobe: one for day and one for night...
 So many tobacco perfumes are aswirl with vanilla and Christmas spices and hoohah.  Not Bell'Antonio.  Its dry tobacco and coffee are cozy, but not cloying.  And it's low key enough to wear in a work environment without smelling like you're the coffee cart at break time.
My friend, the artist Gary Hume, wears Géranium pour Monsieur to great effect.  This Dominique Ropion creation is a crisp, minty rose that softens and deepens alluringly to sandalwood and musk, resulting in skin that begs to be caressed. Men (and those who smell them) -- what are your Oktoberfumefest favorites?

14 comments:

  1. Steven GontarskiOctober 20, 2012 5:32 AM

    Katie,
    I love these choices. I have a soft spot for Bell'Antonio. But I have massively fallen for a new fragrance which will be my fall/winter scent without question: Bois d'Ascese by Naomi Goodsir. An Australian milliner based in Paris, she had two scents created. They're both insane. Bois d'Ascese is smoky, woodsy, incense. Since I started wearing it I've been getting non-stop compliments. I think it might be true love.

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    1. Katie PuckrikOctober 20, 2012 10:00 PM

      Steve, are you telling me that you have actually committed to a "scent concept" for autumn/winter in Los Angeles? I can't wait to smell it!

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  2. AnonymousOctober 20, 2012 8:15 AM

    Love Geranium pour monsieur (you'll have the FM elucidation police on to you for calling it 'pour homme' in your video) but it is one of the few fragrances that makes me think- what difference WOULD a bit of jasmine floral make to this. Will try the other when I find stockist as it sounds delish.

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    1. Katie PuckrikOctober 20, 2012 10:02 PM

      I know, I accidentally demoted "monsieur" to plain ol' "homme". But you all know what I mean.

      Are you thinking jasmine would push the boat out to total Bouquet Island?

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    2. AnonymousOctober 20, 2012 10:37 PM

      No. More that I think it would make it more paradoxical in feel. I like those paradoxical fumes. Name me some paradoxical fumes, Ms Puckrik, please!

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    3. Katie PuckrikOctober 20, 2012 10:49 PM

      I think Geranium PM is plenty paradoxical. And so is Byredo M/Mink, Comme des Garcons 2, Bulgari Black and LesNez Manoumalia.

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    4. AnonymousOctober 21, 2012 8:15 AM

      I haven't tried M/Mink, CDG 2 or Manoumalia. I shall. Thank you.

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    5. AnonymousOctober 21, 2012 8:33 AM

      Oh and I absolutely agree on Bulgari Black as an archetypal paradoxical fume (as the one of your suggested fumes I have tried). I can also see why you see Geranium pour Monsieur as already paradoxical, although I find the paradox enthymemically expressed.

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    6. AnonymousOctober 21, 2012 7:32 PM

      Geranium Pour Monsieur is my go to fragrance for super hot humid summers, I put it at the back of my closet as soon as the days turn crisp. I never thought of it as a fall scent.
      Anney Non Omous

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    7. Katie PuckrikOctober 21, 2012 8:19 PM

      Anney, isn't that interesting! It would certainly bloom in the humidity, and I find it has its own built-in humidity with the musky sandalwood.

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  3. Lanier SmithOctober 20, 2012 8:00 PM

    Oh great! Two new must have or at least test fragrances from Katie. Really this is Great News for me. They both sound perfect for my taste.
    Now for my Oktoberfumefest faves I have to go with, for day.
    Geo. F, Trumper Eucris (1912... Not only James Bond's cologne in "Diamonds Are Forever" but there has to be at least one bottle that went down with the Titanic) For night I choose Al Oudh by L'Artisan Parfumeur. Romantic rich treasure perfect for an evening out in Autumn.

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    1. Katie PuckrikOctober 20, 2012 10:02 PM

      Good family tree on Eucris - didn't know all that. I love your capsule wardrobe.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 21, 2012 1:18 AM

    Great choices Katie and I concur with your first poster about the Naomi Goodsir's. The other one Cuir Velours is my favourite currently. LOVE FM GPM, love it!
    Portia xx

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  5. AnonymousOctober 23, 2012 1:59 AM

    Azuree. Dudes can wear it, too. Leather is nice for fall.

    --Nora

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