When we were doing our testing to select colognes for the 2020 GQ Grooming Awards, spraying on a little fragrance unexpectedly became an important ritual for the work-from-home grind, even on days we weren't going to see anyone except maybe the guy at the grocery store. It's always been true that spritzing on a little scent will transport you, but that's never been more welcome than this year, when we've all been hunkered down in one way or another. Want to be momentarily whisked away to a fresh spring morning after it rained all night? Maybe midnight somewhere smoky and interesting? We've got a fragrance for you.
The Best New Cologne of 2020The Best Reboot: Dior Homme Eau de ToiletteThe fragrance category known as the "classic masculine" has lately been synonymous with "tired"—much like the very concept of "classic masculinity" itself. Luckily, Dior came up with a solution: Lighten up their iconic men's fragrance with cleaner, more herbaceous notes like cedar and vetiver, then deliver the signature punch with patchouli. This is an excellent fragrance for anyone testing the waters of luxury scents, or for the guy who simply wants something beautiful that's not too overpowering.
Dior
Homme Eau De Toilette$95Sephora
A Citrus Squeeze: Versace Atelier Versace Cédrat de DiamanteOn the other end of the fragrance spectrum is the beautiful new Atelier collection by Versace. Cedrat de Diamante (diamond cedar) is a bright, sparkling scent that delivers a masculine cleanliness. It's a versatile kind of spritz you'll want to put on with a white t-shirt, or your most expensive white dress shirt. (A nice bonus is that the bottle looks like a sculpture.)
Versace
The Universal One: Calvin Klein CK EveryoneIf you're old enough to remember the unisex glory of CK One, then you might get a hit of nostalgia with Calvin Klein Everyone, a clean, ethereal fragrance that sort of smells like a whiff of fresh air. Like the brand's underwear, this could be worn by anyone for a hit of gender-neutral sex appeal.
Calvin Klein
CK Everyone$70 $58Amazon
If you like to share a scent with your opposite-sex partner, here's that perfect His&Hers. Calvin Klein Everyone is a clean, ethereal fragrance that smells like a whiff of invigoratingly fresh air. Like the brand's underwear, this could be worn by anyone on your shopping list for a hit of gender-neutral sex appeal.The Bright One: Louis Vuitton MétéoreOn the other hand, some guys like their fragrance to be known. If you're a territory marker, then you'd be well advised to take a whiff of Vuitton's Météore, a powerful new scent that delivers a high-toned, long-lasting kick of pepper and Sicilian mandarin.
Louis Vuitton
The Interesting One: Gucci The Alchemist's Garden “A Midnight Stroll”Also on the more powerful side is the latest in Gucci's “Alchemist's Garden” line of luxe scents. It's dark in its mood, with an aroma of a powerful, woodsy incense, so save these spritzes for nighttime, or for whenever you're ready to make mischief.
Nordstrom
This one from Gucci is dark in its mood, with an aroma of a powerful, woodsy incense. It's just right for nighttime and mischief-making.The Oddball: Le Labo Baie 19And then here's something totally out of left field: Le Labo is best known for their Santal 33 fragrance, a sandalwood crowd-pleaser that's so crowd-pleasing it sometimes verges on ubiquity. That makes it all the more impressive that Le Labo wold follow it up with such a lovely curveball: It's a mix of medicinal notes and petrichor (the aroma of rain hitting dry soil)—try to imagine what Icy Hot smells like on Mount Olympus.
Le Labo
Baie 19$230Nordstrom
Baie 19 is a mix of medicinal notes and petrichor (the aroma of rain hitting dry soil)—try to imagine what Icy Hot smells like on Mount Olympus. If that's too much to wrap your head around, then just know that it exudes a fresh-morning-rain-in-the-woods aura.Read MoreThe 2020 GQ Grooming AwardsWe've tested them all, and these are the 49 products keeping us buzzed, moisturized, and glowing through quarantine.
By Phillip Picardi