The sweet scents of summer, from freshly cut grass to smoky barbecues are something to behold. Who are you to let the team down then? To ensure you’re in tune with the heavenly aromas sweeping the nation, you’ll need to make sure you’re wearing your very best summer cologne.
You need something light and citrusy. Perhaps even something tropical. Basically, you’re after the kind of fragrance that puts you into holiday mode, even if it’s wet and blustery outside.
It is important to take your time when choosing a new scent for summer. Which is why I’ve stepped in to help you narrow down your overwhelming options. So grab those shades, slip on the swim shorts, and start making your way through my list of the best men’s summer cologne.
The Key Takeaways
It can be refreshing to change your scents after a long, wet winter. Finding your favorite cologne can be difficult with so many colognes available. To help, I’m going to highlight the best summer colognes for every budget and eventuality.
From Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue to Tom Ford’s Costa Azzurra AcquaThese are the scents that will take you to paradise, no matter where you go. If you get it right, with just one simple spray, you could be enjoying a glass of wine on the French Riviera, or lazing on the sandy beaches of Cuba. Sound good? Let’s get started.
You’ve all seen the commercial. C’mon, you know the one. David Gandy wears tight white speedos, and has washboard abs. Ask your girl if you’re unsure. Anyway, the cologne he was promoting was Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue.
The scent is fresh, fruity, floral and lively. It has just the right amount of masculinity (to impress the lady you love) to make it a perfect summer cologne. And while I can’t guarantee it’ll give you the sex appeal of the world’s biggest male model. You will at least smell like a million dollars. And it’ll definitely take your senses to the beautiful and sunny Mediterranean sea. What’s not to love?
Top Notes Middle Notes:Base Notes Bergamot, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Juniper | Middle Notes: Rosemary, Sichuan Pepper, Rosewood | Base Notes: Muskwood Incense, Oak Moss | Size: 2.5 / 4.2oz | Types: Eau de Toilette
Finding the best summer cologne for men isn’t about splashing the most cash. Ingredients are the key to smart shopping. For the scent of warm weather, you should use summer ingredients: citrus fruits, plants, and flowers. You get the picture.
The wallet-friendly alternative from
Notes on the Top: Middle Notes: Base Notes Pineapple, Bergamot, Peach | Middle Notes: Water Lily, Jasmine | Base Notes: Sandalwood Musk, Cedar | Size: 0.5 / 1.7 / 3.4oz | Types: Eau de Toilette
As I’ve mentioned already, expensive colognes aren’t always the best. Tom Ford puts his money behind his words. So, it’ll come as no surprise to see the label’s Costa Azzurra Acqua On this list.
Cool, salty, and refreshing, it’s basically the Italian Riviera in a bottle—whisking you away on a sun-kissed escapade where only the most stylish reside. And what does it odor like? Well, heaven. If heaven smells like sea air and citrus, then it’s probably heaven. I imagine you’ll want to wear it with a linen shirt, shorts, and espadrilles, as you dine alfresco—but don’t apply too much. A little goes a long way (and the bottle’s quite small).
Top Notes Seaweed, Driftwood and Cardamom Middle Notes: | Middle Notes: Lemon, Lavender and Juniper Base Notes: | Base Notes: Oak, Incense, Vetiver | Size: 1.7oz | Type: Eau de Parfum
Isn’t summer great? The sun-soaked season, full of exciting new experiences and unforgettable events, is the perfect time to get out of hibernation. But before you put on your shorts and book brunch at your favorite spot, don’t forget to put on your best summer cologne.
Step forward Acqua Di Gio Profondo Giorgio Armani’s Amazon. Created by master perfumer Alberto Morillas, it’s an aromatic yet masculine scent full of depth and intensity. Your senses will be awakened by green mandarin and bergamot, while you’ll catch notes of woody patchouli with a heart of rosemary, lavender, cypress, and lentisk absolute.
Top Notes Green Mandarin Sea Notes Cardamom Middle Notes: Base Notes: | Middle Notes: Rosemary, Lavender, Cypress | Base Notes: Patchouli Vetiver Cedar | Size: 2.5 / 4.2oz | Types of: Eau de Parfum
Anthony, founded in 2000, is not a stranger to skin or grooming products. But when it comes to summer colognes you can consider Anthony a newcomer. Anthony has been able to make up for its lost time with the release of their new summer colognes. Anthony 1—an enticing and intriguing eau de parfum perfect for your warm-weather escapades.
Subtle and fresh, it smells just like a summer’s day—giving off lots of fruity elements with a hint of spice and woody tones. You’ll also recognize the lemon, lavender, pine, and smoldering sandalwood. It’s an excellent option for date night but will work just as well if you give it a daily spritz.
Top Notes Middle Notes: Calabrian Lemon Primofiore, Pink Peppercorn, Guatemalan Cardamom | Middle Notes: Pine, Haitian vetiver & French lavender | Base Notes: Ambrox Amber Musk | Size: 3.4oz | Types of: Eau de Parfum
Everyday colognes must match your personality. It should be subtle enough to not overpower the guy standing too close in the subway. Wear it to work but also to your favorite bar for drinks afterward.
Hugo Boss has created a summer-ready fragrance that will help you be the best version of your self wherever the day takes you. It’s an elegant, aromatic fougere fragrance with top notes dominated by tangy mandarin and fresh grapefruit, a heart of cedar leaf and patchouli, and under-notes of precious wood, vetiver, and musk.
Top Notes Middle Notes: Base Notes: Grapefruit, Mandarin, Pink Peppercorn | Middle Notes: Geranium, Cedar, Star Anise | Base Notes: Musk, Patchouli and Vetiver | Size: 3.3oz | Types: Eau de Toilette
Hear me out: the best summer colognes for men aren’t just about smelling good. I mean, it’s definitely one of their main goals, but they should also help keep the summer vibes going for as long as possible—taking you back to places you wish you never left.
Issey Miyake’s L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme will plonk you in front of some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls, even when you’re sitting at home on the sofa. A timeless fragrance that’s forever in the beauty cabinets of super smelling men, it brings you the vibrant freshness of yuzu (a citrus fruit from East Asia), the sweetness of cinnamon, and the warm, rich notes of tobacco, vetiver, and sandalwood.
Notes for Top: Yuzu, Bergamot, Cypress | Middle Notes: Nutmeg, Lily-of-the-Valley (Saffron), and SaffronBase Notes | Base Notes: Sandalwood Musk Tobacco | Size: 1.35 / 2.5 / 4.2oz | Types: Eau de Toilette
Not all scents are the same, even though there are many choices. Some have a musky, mature smell suitable for the older gent, while others are sweeter and livelier—often smelling better on the more youthful, slightly spottier skin. So, if you’re looking for a cologne for young men (I was only joking about the zits), may I recommend Pacco Rabanne’s Invictus?
Coined as the scent of victory and the essence of heroes, it’s a fresh and woody fragrance housed in a trophy shaped-bottle that’ll impress anyone who happens to catch a glance of your bedside table (you dirty dog, you). There’s notes of grapefruit and guaiac wood combined with fresh citrus and patchouli. Use it as a spray before a trip to the town or to freshen yourself up after supper.
Top Notes Marine Accord, Grapefruit, Mandarin Orange | Middle Notes: Bay Leaf Jasmine Base Notes: | Base Notes: Ambergris Patchouli Guaiac Wood | Size: 1.7 / 5.07 / 6.8 / 3.4oz | Types: Eau de Toilette
Summer colognes that capture the feeling of a warm sea breeze, your toes in the sand and your first sip of ice-cold cocktail are the best. They also transport you back to the places where those things are possible (even if you’re stuck in a stuffy office or feeling sorry for yourself on the sofa).
Calvin Klein’s Eternity for Men Aqua It will make you feel like your never left. Inspired by the freshness of the ocean, it’s crisp, refreshing, and invigorating, thanks to the surge of chilled cucumber and a blend of precious woods. With just a couple of sprays, you’ll be ready for late-night walks on the beach and drinks at the bar.
Top Notes Cucumber, Citrus and Lotus Middle Notes: Base Notes: | Middle Notes: Plum, Lavender, Sichuan Pepper | Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli and Musk Type | Size: 0.67 / 1 / 1.6 / 3.4 / 6.7oz | Type: Eau de Toilette
When it comes to buying a summer cologne for the office, you don’t need to exactly play it safe. You do have to be a bit more careful. Go too wild, and you’ll be the topic of conversation for all the wrong reasons. You need to be able to read the atmosphere. Be yourself, but choose something that’ll complement your work environment, not stink the place out.
Abercrombie & Fitch’s First Instinct is a fine choice that’ll also impress at work events and business trips. It begins with a hint of gin-tonic and Kiwano melon. A heart of violet leaves and pepper is then added with a citrusy note. The base, which is made of suede musky and amber, has a comforting scent.
Top Notes Middle Notes: Base Notes: Gin & Tonic Accord, Kiwano Melon | Middle Notes: Szechuan Pepper, Violet Leaf, Citrus | Base Notes: Suede, Musk, Amber | Size: 1.7 / 3.4oz | Types of: Eau de Toilette
What to Look for in the Best Summer Colognes
Scent
Everyone has their own opinion on what smells good. Light and citrusy scents are perfect for summer. Leather and velvet are more intense and sharper notes. Ingredients like bergamote, juniper and jasmine are good choices. Keep the musky and woody scents for the cooler months.
Price
The most expensive perfume isn’t always the best. But if you’re paying big bucks for your fragrance, you should definitely expect more from it. For them to be better than their cheaper counterparts, the fragrance should come in a nice, durable bottle, smell good, and contain only the finest ingredients.
Concentration
To make sure you’re investing in the best summer cologne for men, it pays to know your concentrations. You’ll come across Eau De Parfum (EDP) and Eau De Toilette (EDT). While the former can be richer and last longer, EDTs are better for hot weather as they are lighter and fresher.
Final Verdict
Summer sees us make some obvious changes to our wardrobe, but it’s a great time to update your cologne too—swapping musky, warm scents for lighter alternatives that take our minds to tropical beaches and beers by the pool.
My guide has everything you need to know to choose the best summer fragrances for men, whether you’re selecting for yourself or your man. However, if you’re still weighing your options, may I nudge you specifically toward Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue? Fresh, floral, and fruity, it’s a refreshing cologne perfect for a night out, alfresco dining, and days in the city.
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Summer colognes take you on a nostalgic journey—making you feel clean and fresh, even when it’s hot and sweaty outside. These colognes should be fresh, floral, citrusy and aquatic. Basically, they’re all the things you love about the warm-weather season.
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Summer days call for a light scent that helps you hold onto the sun even when it’s not there. They’ll mirror your summer settings and feel refreshing, not overwhelming. These colognes are often citrusy and aquatic in tone.
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