Men's Journal aims to highlight only the best products and services. If you purchase something through one of our links, we may earn a commission.
The best men’s colognes have long been synonymous with a certain type of masculinity. Think of the Dior Sauvage ad featuring Johnny Depp hanging out with a pack of wolves in the desert. In the past, musky, woodsy colognes were the go-to choice.
But what if you prefer to spritz a less “masculine” scent on your body? Unisex or genderless scents, in case you haven’t figured it out, are created without a specific gender in mind. A floral scent like rose used to be associated with women, while Old Spice once represented masculinity. However, these binary boundaries no longer restrict us in the same way. Today, we have a more open-minded, liberating set of standards.
Related: I've Worn Dozens of Leather Jackets. Here Are the Best of 2024
Unisex perfumes have been a growing trend since the late 2000s. According to a 2020 study by Mintel, 51% of new perfumes from 2018 were marketed as unisex, Protector Declaring that the “future of perfume” is genderless.
In the '90s, CK One emerged as the first mainstream unisex fragrance. Now, Sephora devotes a special section to unisex perfumes, including ones scented with vanilla and warm rum tones.
Historically, perfumes marketed to women came in smaller sizes with colorful packaging, while men's perfumes came in bolder colors and larger bottles. Clearly gender-coded things.
Genderless scents tend to be less overpowering on the nose than so-called masculine scents. I personally prefer cleaner scents on men. There's something confident and cool about leaning towards something more reserved.
Rather than leaning toward stereotypical top notes—overly floral or sugary scents for women and overpowering musk bombs for men—unisex colognes and perfumes fall somewhere in between.
Not sure where to dive into this new scent frontier? Here are my top recommendations for genderless scents.
Related: Best Cheap Colognes For Men
The Best Unisex Colognes and Fragrances That Everyone Can Enjoy
Courtesy Image
Maison Margiela REPLICA Jazz Club Eau de Toilette
Maison Margiela REPLICA Jazz Club Eau de Toilette It exudes a high-end jazz club vibe. It has a blend of tobacco, musky vanilla and grassy notes of vetiver.
Courtesy Image
Jo Malone London Cyprus and Grapevine Cologne Intense
Jo Malone London Cyprus and Grapevine Cologne Intense It has a masculine woody scent but also has fruity notes.
Courtesy Image
Boy Smells Woodphoria Eau de Parfum (with its pink packaging that might scare off an insecure man at once) is all about duality. You get freshness from coconut and fig leaves, and depth from sandalwood.
Courtesy Image
Malin+Goetz Dark Rum
Dark Rum by Malin+Goetz Like a journey to the Caribbean with notes of spiced rum and plum.
Courtesy Image
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanilla a hearty, spicy scent with notes of tobacco, ginger, vanilla, and sweet woods. Somehow, I think Jay-Z is drawn to this heady blend. Maybe you should be too.