Modern Ratio
  • Start Here
    • For Men
    • For Women
    • For Everyone
  • Style
  • Appearance
  • Character
Modern Ratio
Modern Ratio
  • Start Here
    • For Men
    • For Women
    • For Everyone
  • Style
  • Appearance
  • Character
  • Style

The 10 Best Men’s Colognes to Wear at the Office

You wouldn’t wear a tank top and cargo shorts to the office, would you? Nor would you wear a three-piece tuxedo. And the same applies to cologne. Just as you need to dress for the occasion, you also need to spray for the occasion. An overly synthetic and youthful scent won’t convey the sense of maturity and professionalism that you want, but going overboard will only make you come off as someone who has no sense of restraint or self-awareness.

A few things to keep in mind when choosing a cologne for office wear:

Avoid exotic notes and accords. The office environment is one where you want to aim for scents with mass appeal. After all, there are all kinds of people—men, women, young, old, from all kinds of backgrounds—and you can’t expect everyone to have the same level of olfactory appreciation that you have. That exotic cologne may smell nice to you while inducing nausea in others.

Stick with affordable, designer fragrances. One might argue that since you spend so much of your waking hours at the office, you might as well splurge and wear your best every day. However, always remember who your audience is: there’s a good chance that the people at your office don’t care about what cologne you’re wearing. There’s no reason to “waste” your money on daily sprays of expensive scents that go unappreciated; instead, wear something that’s “good enough” and still portrays the image you want, and save the primo cologne for special occasions.

And no matter which cologne you choose to put on, wear it conservatively! Limit yourself to one or two sprays maximum before you head into the office. Why? Because the people you work with have to be around you for hours on end, and the last thing you want is to smother them against their will. Be courteous to your office and don’t be “that guy” who can be smelled from three rooms away.

Men’s Office Colognes for Spring and Summer

360 Red EDT by Perry Ellis

1.7oz for $25.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Fresh/Spicy

Top Notes: Bergamot, lime zest, ruby orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove bud
Heart Notes: Parsley, coriander seeds, lavender
Base Notes: Sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, oakmoss, clean musk

Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme EDT by Bvlgari

1.7oz for $46.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Fresh/Aquatic

Top Notes: Mandarin, petitgrain
Heart Notes: Santolina, posidonia
Base Notes: Amber, clary sage

Versace Pour Homme EDT by Versace

1.7oz for $50.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Aromatic/Fougere

Top Notes: Neroli, bitter orange leaves, citron, bergamot
Heart Notes: Geranium, blue hyacinth, clary sage, cedar
Base Notes: Oud, mineral amber, musk, tonka bean

Men’s Office Colognes for Fall and Winter

Grey Flannel EDT by Geoffrey Beene

2.0oz for $20.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Oriental/Woody

Top Notes: Violet, lemon, orange, bergamot, petitgrain, galbanum
Heart Notes: Clary sage, rose, geranium, fern
Base Notes: Oakmoss, sandalwood, cedar, tonka bean, musk

Baldessarini Ambre EDT by Baldessarini

1.6oz for $37.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Woody/Oriental

Top Notes: Mandarin, red apple
Heart Notes: Violet
Base Notes: Leather, whisky

Terre D’Hermes EDT by Hermes

1.6oz for $65.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Woody

Top Notes: Grapefruit, orange
Heart Notes: Flint, pepper, pink pepper, geranium, patchouli, rose
Base Notes: Cedar, vetiver, benzoin

Men’s Office Colognes for Year-Round Wear

L’Eau Bleue D’Issey EDT by Issey Miyake

2.5oz for $36.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Woody/Aromatic

Top Notes: Rosemary, lime, mandarin, orangewood
Heart Notes: Cypress, ginger, juniper berry, pink pepper, lavender
Base Notes: Sandalwood, amber, patchouli, cedar, oakmoss

Burberry Touch EDT by Burberry

1.7oz for $38.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Woody/Floral

Top Notes: Violet, mandarin
Heart Notes: Pepper, cedar, oakmoss
Base Notes: Vetiver, white musk, tonka bean

Vetiver EDT by Guerlain

3.4oz for $58.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Woody

Top Notes: Bergamot, lemon, mandarin, neroli, coriander
Heart Notes: Vetiver, cedar
Base Notes: Tobacco, nutmeg, pepper, tonka bean, capsicum

Dior Homme EDT by Christian Dior

1.7oz for $64.99 at Perfume Emporium

Scent Family: Woody/Floral

Top Notes: Lavender, sage, bergamot
Heart Notes: Iris, amber, cacao
Base Notes: Vetiver, patchouli, leather

Joel Lee

Joel is editor in chief at Modern Ratio. He contributes the occasional article and manages the overall vision of the site. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and is based in Pennsylvania.

Similar and Trending
Sporty Sandals Women Featured
View Post
  • Style

The 10 Best Sporty and Stylish Sandals for Women

Tuck In Shirt Featured
View Post
  • Style

How to Tuck in Your Shirt: 4 Tips for Women

Embrace Minimalist Wardrobe 1
View Post
  • Style

How to Embrace a Minimalist Wardrobe: 6 Tips for Simplifying

Socks Close Up
View Post
  • Style

A Quick Guide to Men’s Sock Styles: Which Is Right for You?

Fashionable White Shirt Feature
View Post
  • Style

10 Fashionable Ways to Wear a White Shirt for Women

Denim Shirt Featured
View Post
  • Style

How to Wear a Denim Shirt Like a Boss

Hanging Clothes
View Post
  • Know-How
  • Style

The Ultimate Way to Hang Your Pants: The Savile Row Fold

Joggers Beach
View Post
  • Style

How to Wear Joggers and Sweatpants (Without Looking Like a Bum)

Modern Ratio
  • About
  • Masthead
  • Hiring
  • Privacy
© 2019-2020

Input your search keywords and press Enter.