Another year, another dream, but always you. Just like something from that famous 90s song. The time has come to do a final last year’s recap with my most worn perfumes of 2023.
As I bid farewell to the fragrant tapestry of 2023, I’ll explore changes from prior years and how these five selected scents shaped the last 365 days.
I invite you to join me on a fragrant journey through the perfumes that adorned my days and nights, creating unforgettable memories.
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At the start of each year, I always appreciate these posts because I can joyfully write about what matters most without being weighed down by SEO procedures.
Let’s explore which scents made the list and how, after three consecutive years, the reigning champion has stepped down from its throne.
How I Picked My Most Worn Perfumes Of 2023
This article will be straightforward, focusing on essential information without unnecessary content.
The process involved considering various factors, including seasonal appropriateness, the nature of different occasions, and my mood.
Not surprisingly, it is led by designers such as scents from Dior, with only one niche scent from Marc-Antoine Barrois.
A spreadsheet proved helpful, enabling me to track what was worn and on which occasion.
Without any further ado, let’s get into it.
5. Tom Ford Ombre Leather
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “The tactile sensuality of rich black leather, textured with addictive patchouli and vetiver, envelops like second skin. The perfume’s floral tones of jasmine sambac conjure wild desert beauty, while layers of amber and moss mimic the heat of rock and sand.
Ombré Leather is a deeply textural scent that imprints you with a tactile sensuality. It makes one feel different, beautiful and desired.” – Tom Ford
Packaged in a matte black flacon with a faux leather plaque, the Ombre Leather flacon captures the bold, tactile sensuality of the spicy leather scent.”
WHY IS TOM FORD OMBRE LEATHER ONE OF MY MOST WORN PERFUMES OF 2023: I was surprised to discover that Ombre Leather has taken the last place on this list.
My favorite fragrance from Tom Ford, along with Tobacco Vanille, has been my go-to scent for night-outs over the last couple of years. Just recently, however, it has been overtaken by another fragrance.
Even after all this time, Ombre Leather stands as one of the most strategic marketing decisions made by Tom Ford.
Initially, Ombre Leather 2016 closely resembled Tuscan Leather in terms of scent and price.
However, it was discontinued, only to reemerge later as Ombre Leather 2018, now part of the Signature line and offered at a more affordable price.
This version not only retained the essence of Tuscan Leather but also boasted improved performance.
Combining a cleaner rendition and enhanced longevity makes Ombre Leather 2018 an amazing choice.
Remarkably, as of January 2024, the fragrance has yet to undergo any detrimental reformulations.
If you haven’t sampled it yet, it’s worth considering for its unique and somewhat affordable offering within the Tom Ford lineup.
- PERFUMER: Sonia Constant
- CONCENTRATION: Eau de Parfum
- FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Leather Spicy
- RELEASE DATE: 2018
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Unisex
- MASCULINE/FEMININE: 70% – 30%
- MAIN NOTES: Leather, Cardamom, Amber
- AGE GROUP: 20+
- SEASONS: Fall and Winter
- OCCASIONS: Business and Night Out
- LONGEVITY AND PROJECTION: 24+ hours with great projection
- COMPLIMENTS: High
- LIKEABILITY: High
- UNIQUENESS: 5/5
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 10/10
- ACCORDS: Leather, Amber, Spicy
- HOLY GRAIL RATING: A
4. Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “A fantasy of “La Dolce Vita” in the 21st century, this fragrance offers a new elegance, fluid and timeless, mixing fresh smell of mandarina to suede, wood and spices notes on an immortelle flower background.”
WHY IS MARC-ANTOINE BARROIS GANYMEDE ONE OF MY MOST WORN PERFUMES OF 2023: Believe it or not, Ganymede has been in my collection for more than two years now—a fragrance that, for some reason, I’m still trying to keep somewhat of a “secret” despite its rising popularity within the fragrance community.
This scent, alongside Aventus and Baccarat Rouge 540, has left a significant mark on the perfume world in the last decade and remains my favorite release from that period.
Admittedly, Ganymede may not be for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. Its mineral qualities, combined with mandarin orange, immortelle, and leather, have been artfully blended, resulting in one of the most peculiar yet wearable fragrances.
I predominantly reach for it during night outs in every season except winter when I prefer something denser.
The performance is outstanding, and much like Ombre Leather, Ganymede has yet to undergo any reformulations.
Do yourself a favor and grab a sample of Ganymede as soon as possible. Lastly, even if it doesn’t immediately resonate with you, give it a couple more tries before passing final judgment.
- PERFUMER: Quentin Bisch
- CONCENTRATION: Eau de Parfum
- FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Mineral Leather
- RELEASE DATE: 2019
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Unisex
- MASCULINE/FEMININE: 80% – 20%
- MAIN NOTES: Mandarin, Immortelle, and Suede Leather
- AGE GROUP: 25+
- SEASONS: Spring, Fall, and Winter
- OCCASIONS: Business, Leisure, and Night Out
- LONGEVITY AND PROJECTION: 24+ hours with great projection
- COMPLIMENTS: Medium
- LIKEABILITY: Medium
- UNIQUENESS: 5/5
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 10/10
- ACCORDS: Mineral, Spicy, Leather
- HOLY GRAIL RATING: A
3. Yves Saint Laurent Body Kouros
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “A frank and liberated masculinity. A daring and modern reinterpretation of the KOUROS universe. The BODY KOUROS man takes care of his body, likes to provoke and play on his sexy, sensuous and very masculine image. The freshness of Eucalyptus contrasts with the spirituality of Incense smoke. The provocative blend of Chinese Cedar and Mace gives way to Benzoin and Camphor Wood which envelope the skin in divine warmth. The Body Kouros man takes care of his body and likes to provoke and play.”
WHY IS YVES SAINT LAURENT BODY KOUROS ONE OF MY MOST WORN PERFUMES OF 2023: You likely didn’t expect to find the one here, significantly above Ganymede and Ombre Leather, but here it is.
Since I reacquired the bottle in the first half of 2023, after an eight or nine-year hiatus, I must admit it has been a constant presence, worn consistently in every season except summer.
One of my initial true perfume loves, once more added to my collection with thoughts of selling it after a few weeks, has proven to endure and remains a steadfast choice, even after nearly a year.
Fear not; the eucalyptus and incense notes seamlessly blend, creating a balanced scent with no single note overpowering the others.
For enthusiasts of the classic Kouros, it’s remarkable that Kouros Body departs from the bold fragrance of the ’80s, offering a refreshing alternative, particularly appreciated by the younger generation.
This fragrance boasts a powdery aroma, culminating in a sweet, vanillic, and woody dry down.
Interestingly, it marks a significant milestone as the inaugural fragrance released during Tom Ford’s tenure as the creative director at Yves Saint Laurent.
This piece of history adds an intriguing layer to the scent’s appeal. It is a safe choice, but the latest release, “Silver,” feels like a more modern composition even though they don’t smell similar at all.
- PERFUMER: Annick Menardo
- CONCENTRATION: Eau de Toilette
- FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Spicy Oriental
- RELEASE DATE: 2000
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Men
- MASCULINE/FEMININE: 80% – 20%
- MAIN NOTES: Eucalyptus, Incense, and Benzoin
- AGE GROUP: 20+
- SEASONS: Spring, Fall, and Winter
- OCCASIONS: Night Out, Business, and Leisure
- LONGEVITY AND PROJECTION: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- COMPLIMENTS: Medium
- LIKEABILITY: Medium
- UNIQUENESS: 4/5
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
- ACCORDS: Resinous, Camphor, Woody
- HOLY GRAIL RATING: B
2. Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “To create Sauvage Eau de Parfum, François Demachy, Dior Perfumer-Creator, drew inspiration from the desert at the magical twilight hour: mixed with the coolness of the night, the burning desert air exudes profound scents.
The Sauvage Eau de Parfum is thus the olfactory interpretation of a moment tinted with a thick blue that unleashes the wildest instincts. In the hour when the wolves come out and the sky is set ablaze, a new magic unfolds.”
WHY IS DIOR SAUVAGE EAU DE PARFUM ONE OF MY MOST WORN PERFUMES OF 2023: The article is full of surprises, with this one being the most significant.
If you’ve been following my blog for a couple of years, you know that Sauvage has been my most-worn perfume for the last three years.
So, what has changed? Not much, but I’ve discovered its true successor, and no, it’s not Roja’s Elysium.
Even though it takes second place compared to the last couple of years, this was a close battle between Sauvage and fragrance in the first place.
Nevertheless, it remains my favorite “blue” scent of all time, and I believe it is by far the best in this genre.
A fragrance characterized by fresh, musky, and spicy notes, it is universally appealing and stands out as the ultimate “blue” perfume. Sauvage is a foolproof choice that guarantees satisfaction.
- PERFUMER: Francois Demachy
- CONCENTRATION: Eau de Parfum
- FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Citrus Spicy
- RELEASE DATE: 2018
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Men
- MASCULINE/FEMININE: 90% – 10%
- MAIN NOTES: Ambroxan, Bergamot, and Sichuan Pepper
- AGE GROUP: 20+
- SEASONS: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- OCCASIONS: Leisure, Night Outs, Romantic, Business
- LONGEVITY AND PROJECTION: 8 – 10 hours with very good projection
- COMPLIMENTS: High
- LIKEABILITY: High
- UNIQUENESS: 2/5
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
- ACCORDS: Citrus, Spicy, Musky
- HOLY GRAIL RATING: A
1. Dior Homme Sport 2021
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “Energetic and elegant, the new Dior Homme Sport eau de toilette for men combines fresh vivacity and charm with a hint of sensuality for a duo that packs the punch of a boxer’s uppercut.
Vibrant, explosive and immediately recognizable, the opening signature of Dior Homme Sport is marked by citrus and open-air freshness. For this new fragrance, the Dior Perfumer-Creator chose to fashion the eau de toilette with warm and ambery notes, wrap it in spices and round it out with woody notes. The confident trail of Dior Homme Sport incarnates a masculinity entwined with a smooth, noble quality.
The new Dior Homme Sport eau de toilette for men thus plays with freshness and sensuality. It’s a luminous scent, enriched with a new, lasting impression that takes hold and lingers like a caress.”
WHY IS DIOR HOMME SPORT 2021 ONE OF MY MOST WORN PERFUMES OF 2023: If you guessed that DHS 2021 would claim the number one spot, well done – you’ve accurately identified my most praised fragrance from last year.
If not, feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below about what you expected to be my most worn perfume.
As someone recognized for donning wearable yet high-quality perfumes while also appreciating artistic niche creations, I’m delighted to declare that this Dior fragrance swiftly assumed the role of my new signature scent.
It embodies everything I seek in a perfume, suitable for year-round wear – a touch of freshness, an air of mystery, and unquestionably top-tier ingredients that easily outshine many exorbitantly priced offerings from Roja and creations by Clive Christian.
What brings me immense joy is the fusion of the finest elements from DHS 2017 and Dior Homme 2020 in this fragrance, accompanied by its unique twist.
Although I adore both scents, each lacked a particular element to catapult them into the realm of holy grail status.
The most exciting part is that the pinnacle achievement lies in incorporating aldehydes, a note often associated with perfumes from about a century ago.
These aldehydes, however, defy the norm. Far from the typical soapy, old-fashioned laundry scent, they represent a modernized and somewhat masculinized rendition, making them the most superior ever employed in any perfume.
Calabrian bergamot and incense also play a role here in making it, in my opinion, currently the best summer fragrance release from the 2020s.
- PERFUMER: François Demachy
- CONCENTRATION: Eau de Toilette
- FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Citrus Woody
- RELEASE DATE: 2021
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Men
- MASCULINE/FEMININE: 90% – 10%
- MAIN NOTES: Calabrian Bergamot, Woods, Aldehydes
- AGE GROUP: 25+
- SEASONS: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- OCCASIONS: Any Ocassion
- LONGEVITY AND PROJECTION: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- COMPLIMENTS: High
- LIKEABILITY: High
- UNIQUENESS: 4/5
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 10/10
- ACCORDS: Citrus, Aromatic, Woody
- HOLY GRAIL RATING: A
Final Words
And there you have it – my most-worn perfumes of 2023. I hope this list has motivated you for your next fragrance purchase or reminded you of some old favorites.
I have been more active with new acquisitions during the last year, which paid tremendously.
From the unexpected rise of Dior Homme Sport 2021 to the enduring charm of Sauvage, each fragrance has woven its own story within the tapestry of my fragrance ventures.
As I bid adieu to the fragrant echoes of 2023, it’s not just the scents that linger but the stories they tell.
The world of perfumery remains a fascinating realm, and my collection continues to evolve, echoing the chapters of my life.
Here’s to another year full of unforgettable memories and beautiful scents.
What are your thoughts about my most worn perfumes of 2023? Let’s start a conversation, and let me know in the comment section below.
In case you are in doubt about whether you should consider buying any fragrance or not, it’s always good to take a look at Scent Grail’s S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide.
It is easy to use and the most relevant perfume-buying guide on the web. This way, you can check out if a particular fragrance is worth checking out and potentially find your signature perfume.
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Find out more Scent Grail articles about perfumery, check out top lists and other helpful reviews via the links below:
REVIEWS
- Guerlain Homme Eau De Parfum
- Serge Lutens Chergui
- Dior Homme Intense
- Amouage Dia Man
- Comme Des Garçons Series 3 Incense Kyoto
- Creed Original Santal
TOP LISTS
- Top Fall Perfumes For 2024
- The Best Books About Perfume
- 30 Best Men’s Fragrances Of All Time
- 20 Best Winter Fragrances For Men
- Top 10 Best Office Colognes
- 10 Best Signature Scents For Men
SCENT GRAIL LEARNING CENTER
- Fragrance Addiction
- How To Find Your Signature Scent
- How To Wear Perfume
- Fragrance Strengths & Perfume Concentrations
- Best Fragrance Discounters
- How To Start A Perfume Collection
Until next time, stay humble, and keep smelling great!
Best, Marin!
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