Take a stroll through the glossiest shopping hub in your neck of the woods, and you’re bound to encounter an advertisement for Chanel cologne. These days, those ads are likely plastered with Timothée Chalamet’s face, the latest A-lister in a long line of bold names to lend his clout to Bleu de Chanel, the French maison’s flagship men’s fragrance.
While Chanel No.5 debuted in 1921, Chanel has also been formulating scents expressly targeted to men since 1955, an expansion that kicked off with Pour Monsieur and now includes four other lines: Allure Homme, Antaeus, Egoïste, and Bleu, some with their own spin-offs that vary in intensity (e.g. Allure Homme Sport, Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême).
All of these fragrances from Chanel have maintained popularity because their blends were formulated by some of the best “Noses” in the business, with top notes of citrus, woody greens and pepper, and foundations of white musk, vanilla, and tonka bean.
To help you sort through the entire Chanel cologne universe through a screen, we went and actually smelled them all IRL, at the only place in New York one can truly get a fair whiff—the Chanel perfume kiosk at Saks. Below are our favorite Chanel colognes, whether you’re looking for the first or tenth bottle to add to your collection.
The Best Chanel Colognes, According to GQ
Best for Date Nights: Chanel Bleu De Chanel Eau de Toilette
Like the friend who gets you into the club, woody, citrusy Bleu offers just that 10% confidence injection to get you over the top, whenever you need it. Its legendary status derives largely from its versatility: Wear it to work and it won’t saturate the elevator, but it’ll help those after-hour drinks feel appropriately celebratory, too.
Best for Daily Wear: Chanel Platinum Égoïste Eau de Toilette
Don’t let the name fool you: Platinum Égoïste won’t signal that you’re full of yourself—but notes of energetic citrus, lavender, and rich wood still might make other people think you’re great. If you’re in the market for an easy all-day wearer, like a perfect white t-shirt or a great pair of jeans, Platinum Égoïste won’t ever weigh you down.
For Summer Days: Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau de Toilette
Summer’s in the distance still, but what better way to embrace your winter fantasies of riding out the heat on a megayacht than by spraying on a scent that immediately transports you to the coast of your choice? That would be Allure Homme Sport, the perfect intersection of light citrus notes and a captivating musk. (It doubles as a pretty great post-workout scent, too.)
Best for Sunday Mornings: Chanel Allure Homme Édition Blanche Eau de Parfum
Similar to Homme Sport, but with softer notes that make it cozy in cold weather too, Édition Blanche is the morning latte of Chanel fragrances. Encapsulated in a rich vanilla, and balanced out by an array of spices and citrus, it’s a boost of warmth on days you want to be extra-nice to yourself.
Best for the Bleu die-hards: Chanel Bleu De Chanel Parfum
The most intense offering in the Bleu family, the Parfum Spray is ideal for fully experiencing the robust nature of this classic’s scent profile. It’s zesty and botanical, yet just welcoming enough thanks to the sandalwood and tonka bean roots.
Best for the Allure die-hards: Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extréme Eau de Parfum
Love the spicy and woody notes of the traditional Allure eau de toilette, but want something that packs a bit more of a punch? You’re not alone—Chanel made a whole parfum for folks like you, dialing up that seductive mint, pepper, and musk.
Best for Classic Appreciators: Chanel No.5 Eau de Parfum
Chanel’s flagship EDP might technically be marketed to the gals, but it’s one of the best across-aisle scents on the market. Timeless and complex, Chanel No. 5 takes the wearer on an all-day journey: Wear it to the office and your day will start out soft and sweet, but by afternoon, become warm and spicy. It’s this floral complexity and richness that make it so many people’s “forever fragrance.”
Best for Your Scottish Road Trip: Chanel Paris-Édimbourg Les Eaux De Chanel Eau de Toilette
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had many favorite places, and recently Chanel has been paying tribute to them all. This time? Edinburgh, and the crystal-clear lakes and rocky forests of the Scottish highlands. A deeper cut in the collection, Édimbourg Les Eaux De Chanel channels the essence of an estate in the Highlands—it’s woody, but herbal, with notes of juniper, lavender and vetiver.
Chanel Colognes FAQ
What does eau de parfum mean?
An eau de parfum contains a lower amount of fragrance oil than a regular parfum, but a higher amount than found in eau de toilette. Typically, eau de parfum will provide a more concentrated, focused scent than an eau de toilette, so less needs to be applied.
What does eau de toilette mean?
Translating literally to “grooming water”, eau de toilettes date back to around 600 AD, starting when people in the Middle Ages needed a daily ritual to banish the unpleasant scents of the times. They have a lower amount of fragrance oil than both a parfum and an eau de parfum, and are typically used as a lighter scent for more casual wear. The downside is, they don’t last as long.
What makes certain scents last longer?
The three layers of a fragrance—the top, middle, and base notes—play into its longevity. Top notes will make the first impression on your nose, but disappear within an hour or so. Middle notes, known as the heart of the fragrance, can last several hours, with the base notes lasting even longer as the foundation of the scent. When looking for a fragrance, choosing one with heavier base notes like musk, sandalwood, vanilla, cedarwood, or leather will lead to a longer lasting scent. If you prefer a lighter fragrance, reapplying is all it takes to make it last the day (and put a little pep in your step).
