Our take
What does Versace L'Homme smell like?
Versace L'Homme came out in 1986, at the height of the power-scent era. Some sources say 1984. The perfumer's name was never made public. The opening is green and herbal: basil, petitgrain and bergamot with a sharp snap of lemon. It smells like a herb garden rather than a beach. The heart shifts gear. Carnation and cinnamon bring a clove-like bite while rose and jasmine stay in the background. Patchouli and cedar are already setting up the base. That's where things get serious. Leather, labdanum and oakmoss lay down a dark, faintly smoky floor. Tonka and amber soften it. Against Chanel's Antaeus, released five years earlier, L'Homme is greener and less animalic. It has been reformulated over the years and recent bottles are lighter. Few men's scents from that decade aged this gracefully.
When to wear it
Wear it in cold weather with a wool jacket. Two sprays are enough, since the leathery base holds well.
It belongs to the Woody, Chypre family. Versace L'Homme is one of 14 creations by Versace in our encyclopedia.
