Our take
What does The Dreamer smell like?
Versace released The Dreamer in 1996 with Jean-Pierre Béthouart on the formula. It went against the fresh, marine men's scents of that decade. The opening is herbal: juniper, artemisia and tarragon, with lavender in the background. It smells like bitter grass at the end of summer. The heart rests on tobacco flower rather than dried leaf. It's soft and hay-like, and nothing in it smells of an ashtray. That softness is what makes it so easy to wear. Iris makes it powdery. Lily and rose add a floral touch that was unusual for a men's perfume at the time. In the base, tonka and amber give sweet warmth without weight. Compared with Maison Margiela's Jazz Club, The Dreamer is more herbal and far less boozy. The formula was tweaked around 2010, so note lists vary from one source to another.
When to wear it
A cold weather scent that's quiet enough for daytime and soft enough for dinner. Use three sprays on the chest since it stays close to the skin.
It belongs to the Fougère, Aromatic family. The Dreamer is one of 14 creations by Versace in our encyclopedia.
