A great fragrance does not need a gender attached to it.

That freedom is one of the best things about unisex fragrance. The same scent can feel fresh and clean on one person, then warmer and softer on someone else. In the end, a much more interesting question than who a fragrance was designed for is how it actually feels on your skin.

For this list, we picked ten unisex fragrances that go in completely different directions. There are juicy fruits, clean woods, darker sweetness and a few scents that are difficult to compare with anything else.

1. Xerjoff Erba Pura

Erba Pura is one of those fragrances you quickly learn to recognise.

The opening is bright and citrusy with a huge burst of juicy fruit. As it settles, everything becomes softer, sweeter and warmer. Vanilla, amber and white musk give the base an almost creamy quality.

Erba Pura is not particularly shy. It leaves a trail and works best when you actually want your fragrance to be noticed.

Wear it: Daytime, evenings, holidays, events
Season: Spring, summer and early autumn
Feel: Juicy, sweet, bright, expressive

2. BORNTOSTANDOUT Fugazzi

Fugazzi is much harder to put into a single category.

Musk, amber, leather and woody warmth give it a soft character with something slightly dirty underneath, in the best possible way. There is none of the easy fruitiness you get from something like Erba Pura.

Fugazzi feels closer to warm skin than a traditional perfume. It is distinctive, a little strange and much more interesting because of it.

Wear it: Everyday, dates, evenings
Season: Autumn, winter and spring
Feel: Soft, sensual, woody, unconventional

3. BORNTOSTANDOUT Drunk Lovers

The name gives you a pretty good idea of where this is going.

Drunk Lovers is warm, spicy and noticeably boozy. There is something carefree and slightly messy about it, while the overall fragrance still manages to feel polished.

This probably would not be our first choice for the office on a Monday morning. For a late dinner, drinks or a date, it makes much more sense.

Wear it: Dates, dinners, evenings, parties
Season: Autumn and winter
Feel: Warm, spicy, seductive, playful

4. Argos Charon’s Vail

Charon’s Vail takes the list in a darker and more luxurious direction.

Rose and oud are at the heart of the fragrance. The rose brings a rich floral character, while the oud adds warmth, depth and a darker woody edge. The result feels bold and elegant with a mysterious side that becomes more noticeable as it develops on the skin.

It is a great choice when fresh and fruity fragrances feel a little too safe. Charon’s Vail has real character and works especially well when the weather gets colder.

Wear it: Evenings, dates, dinners, events
Season: Autumn and winter
Feel: Dark, floral, woody, luxurious

5. Orto Parisi Megamare

Megamare divides opinions, and that is part of its appeal.

This is not a tropical beach with a cold drink in your hand. Megamare's ocean feels saltier, darker and rougher. There is something mineral and almost metallic running through it.

It also stays on the skin for a very long time. With Megamare, less is often more.

If you want a safe and easy fresh fragrance, we would start somewhere else. If you want to see just how far an aquatic fragrance can be pushed, try this.

Wear it: Daytime, evenings, outdoors, events
Season: Spring and summer
Feel: Salty, powerful, mineral, wild

6. BDK Gris Charnel Extrait

Gris Charnel Extrait is one of those fragrances where the idea of unisex works particularly well.

Spices, tea, sandalwood and vanilla warmth create an incredibly soft combination. It does not feel clearly masculine or feminine. It simply smells good.

This is at its best on a cooler evening, when the warm and woody character starts to feel especially inviting.

Wear it: Dates, dinners, evenings
Season: Autumn and winter
Feel: Soft, warm, spicy, elegant

7. Sospiro Vibrato

Vibrato makes freshness much more interesting.

Grapefruit and bergamot bring brightness to the opening, while ginger adds a little kick. A woody and musky base underneath keeps everything feeling polished.

This is an easy choice when you want to smell really good without wearing something that feels heavy or overly calculated.

Wear it: Everyday, work, lunches, summer evenings
Season: Spring and summer
Feel: Fresh, energetic, clean, polished

8. Nishane Hacivat X

Hacivat X is fresh, but there is more structure here than you would find in a typical fresh everyday fragrance.

Fruit and citrus make the opening bright. As the fragrance settles on the skin, greener and woodier depth begins to appear.

It works particularly well when you want to feel put together without going too formal.

Wear it: Everyday, work, dinners, events
Season: Spring, summer and autumn
Feel: Bright, stylish, green, confident

9. Xerjoff Erba Gold

Erba Gold has the kind of delicious fruitiness that Xerjoff does particularly well, but it feels different from Erba Pura.

The opening is bright and juicy. As it develops, the fruit is joined by warmth, spice and a softer sweetness.

It is easy to enjoy, but certainly not invisible. A good option when you want a fruity fragrance with a little more depth and a luxurious feel.

Wear it: Daytime, dinners, holidays, events
Season: Spring, summer and early autumn
Feel: Fruity, warm, lively, luxurious

10. Argos Danaë

Danaë takes the final spot in a completely different direction.

Bergamot brings brightness to the opening, but the real character starts to appear as the fragrance warms on the skin. Sandalwood gives it a smooth, creamy quality surrounded by a warmer sweetness.

This is the kind of fragrance you keep wanting to smell again. It does not try to shout from the other side of the room. Instead, it draws you closer.

Wear it: Dates, dinners, evenings
Season: Autumn, winter and spring
Feel: Creamy, warm, soft, seductive

Where should you start?

If you want something really fresh, start with Vibrato or Bois Impérial.

For something fruitier and more noticeable, Erba Pura and Erba Gold take you in a completely different direction. Neither is particularly easy to ignore.

If warmth and intimacy are more your thing, Gris Charnel Extrait, Danaë and Fugazzi are interesting options.

Megamare is worth smelling at least once simply for the experience. It shows how unusual niche fragrance can become when a perfumer takes an idea much further.

Still, do not choose a fragrance based only on notes, gender labels or somebody else's opinion. Give it a few hours on your skin. That is often when you discover whether it actually feels like your fragrance.

At WHIFF, you can discover fragrances from this list in smaller 5ml and 10ml sizes, with selected fragrances also available as original full size bottles.

Frequently asked questions about unisex fragrances

 

What does unisex fragrance mean?

A unisex fragrance is a scent that is not marketed exclusively towards men or women. In practice, however, any fragrance can be worn by anyone.

Are unisex fragrances different from men’s and women’s perfumes?

Not necessarily. The distinction often has more to do with marketing than the fragrance itself. A unisex fragrance can be fresh, sweet, dark, floral, woody or almost anything in between.

Which unisex fragrance is good for everyday wear?

Bois Impérial, Vibrato and Hacivat X are some of the easiest everyday choices on this list. They feel fresh and polished without becoming too heavy.

Which unisex fragrance works well for evenings?

Gris Charnel Extrait, Drunk Lovers and Danaë work particularly well in the evening. They bring more warmth, depth and softness.

Should you try a unisex fragrance before buying a full bottle?

Yes. A fragrance can change significantly during the first few hours on your skin. Trying a smaller size gives you the chance to wear it several times and see how it actually fits into your life.

Vilho, Founder & Fragrance Curator at WHIFF