Our take
What does Downtown smell like?
Calvin Klein released Downtown in 2013 as an eau de parfum. Sources disagree on who composed it, so we'll leave the perfumer unnamed. The opening is all green fruit. Crunchy pear and watery plum meet lemon, bergamot and Tunisian neroli. Nothing candied here. It smells like a fruit bowl straight out of the fridge. The heart takes a less obvious turn. Gardenia brings its creaminess, while violet leaf adds a green and slightly metallic edge. Pink pepper gives just enough bite. The base keeps a low profile. Musk, cedar and vetiver read as clean skin, and a thread of incense makes you think of an empty gallery on a Sunday morning. Next to Euphoria, which the same brand launched in 2005, Downtown is far brighter and much less sweet. It has since disappeared from most counters, and these days it mostly turns up at discount sellers.
When to wear it
A daytime spring scent that stays out of the way at work. Use three sprays on the neck and wrists, since the musky base sits close to the skin.
It belongs to the Floral, Woody, Musky family. Downtown is one of 24 creations by Calvin Klein in our encyclopedia.
