Father’s Day greeting cards still seem rather mired in the old stereotypes of dads as incredibly ancient beings who live in sheds, dreaming only of pipe, slippers, fishing rods and pints of beer. Now, while many a dad may be reading this and thinking this does perfectly describe his ideal life, the majority of fathers these days are a little more au courant than previous generations. (Though they will persist in saying things like ‘with it’, which immediately puts them back in the ranks of ancient beings…)
Here we say ditch the slippers and celebrate some of the many splendid types of modern-day dads to be found (in sheds or otherwise) – and provide you with the perfect scent-inspiration to freshen up their Father’s Day…
Outdoorsy dad – He’s a lumberjack and he’s okay…? Well, this particular wood isn’t merely for Monty Python fans (or, indeed, actual lumberjacks) alone. Any man who likes a bit of outdoorsy-ness is in for a treat. We were really impressed with the smoothly planed woody notes mixed with a spicy heart of pepper, birchwood and oakmoss that works its way down to a well rounded and fuzzy base of sandalwood, amber and vetiver.
Yardley Citrus Wood: £19.99 for 50ml eau de toilette
Buy it at Boots
Bookworm dad It’s never too cool to be in school for these literary dads, and we salute their papery pursuits. Did you know that volatile organic compounds released by aging paper smell increasingly of vanilla as they breakdown? That comfortingly slightly musty smell of milky sweetness mixed with woody facets (and just a hint of dust) is his favourite second-hand bookshop perfectly captured in this cleverly composed fragrance that will have him sighing contentedly with his nose in something other than a book for a change.
Library of Fragrance Paperback £15 for 30ml Cologne
Buy it at Library of Fragrance
Hipster dad Named for GPS coordinates of locations close to their heart, these maverick Margate perfumers recently set Shoreditch’s Ace Hotel abuzz with their pop-up shop, residing until September 30th. We loved this whimsically desicribed but perfectly blended evocation of history – the location is a lane beside an old Roman fort and the wild flowers that grow there: poppies, spearmint, bindweed and wild parsley with elderflower, apple and grass. The handmade eco-packaging is super cool, too.
Haeckels GPS 19’ 51”E £160 for 100ml eau de parfum
Buy it at Haeckels
Petrolhead dad Paying tribute to the golden age of British motorsport and legendary figures like Stirling Moss, this is a fragrance for fathers who yearn for the days of vintage motorsport, spending every moment they can on the track (or wishing they were). Warmly herbaceous with sage, cypress, hyssop and fig leaf, classic oakmoss is sweetened a touch with figs and dried fruits – an homage to fast-paced pleasure in an elegant, vintage style – and ne’er a whiff of actual petrol.
Murdock London Napier 1933 £90 for 100ml eau de cologne
Buy it at Murdock London
Surfer dad – A game-changer ever since it was created by Pierre Bourdon and launched in 1988 (we can hardly believe it was that long ago – it only seems like yesterday…) the advertising has always been easy on the eye, and has been stepped up a gear by making Scott Eastwood (Clint’s son) the new face of their campaign. Invigorating enough for the water-loving types, uncomplicated (with a still-current vibe) in a salty sun-warmed man’s skin kind of a way, it doesn’t mess about. Top notes of green mint and lavender fuse with herbaceous coriander and rosemary with a base composed around cedarwood, musk, amber and tobacco. If it ain’t broke…
Davidoff Cool Water £50.00 for 125ml eau de toilette
Buy it at The Perfume Shop
Arty dad – All the gear but no idea? We wouldn’t dare suggest a thing for the camera tripod and lens-wielding masses. Pro or no, the concept of a fragrance built around a photograph is bound to appeal to the visually-stimulated fathers out there. Olfactive Studio giftbox the scent with the photo that originally inspired it – this one built around sparkling notes of woody citrus, exotically fresh Japanese yuzu and pepped-up with rare peppers, rum and warm woods. He’s no David Bailey, but show him you recognise his ambitions, at least…
Olfactive Studio Still Life £74 for 50ml eau de parfum
Buy it at Bloom
Rock n roll dad He may not be able to fit into the same size jeans anymore, but by golly, if the rebel lifestyle is still good enough for Iggy Pop (male face of the Paco Rabanne XS for him – Debbie Harry is their equally cool female equivalent), it’s good enough for him, too! Still rocking on after all these years, these dads desrve some applause for not giving up their unique style (and for not taking themselves too seriously). A limited edition with out of the ordinary notes of saffron, praline and a ‘leather trail’, this intriguing ambrée isn’t for wallflowers or anyone in a suit…
Paco Rabanne Black XS Be A Legend Iggy Pop £25 for 100ml eau de toilette
Buy it at Superdrug
Stylish dad Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington is the face of Jimmy Choo’s first male fragrance, and if you know dads who look like him, please do get in touch via the usual methods. We digress. This woody aromatic fougere is for fashion-savvy fathers who know they look good and would like everyone to notice how good they smell, too. Top notes of lavender and the zest of mandarin is mellowed by honeydew melon, warmed with pink pepper, geranium and a surprising note of pineapple leaf. Ambery woodiness with a suave base of smooth patchouli is the final dry-down. Style, bottled.
Jimmy Choo Jimmy Choo Man £29 for 30ml eau de toilette
Buy it at Debenhams
Retro dad Vintage-loving and doubtless rocking a three-piece-suit whenever possible, these history-savvy types would be doubtless be charmed by the story behind this beautifully packaged fragrance by Eight & Bob. Why the odd name? It all dates back to a certain John F. Kennedy asking Parisian socialite Albert Fouquet about the scent he was wearing… Click the link below to read all about it, but in the meantime, all you need to know is that with ginger, cardamom and citrus slowly sinking into a dashingingly musky base – this is a must-have for suave movers and shakers for years to come.
Eight & Bob £125 for 100ml eau de toilette
Buy it at Roullier White
Macho dad He sort of thinks he’s Clint Eastwood and walks with a swagger through the supermarket aisles of a Sunday afternoon… Yes the kids may snigger a bit, but actually he’s a teddy bear at heart (don’t ever call him that for gawd’s sake). A UK exclusive to Scent City, by perfumers David and Kavi Moltz, this long-lasting cult scent from Brooklyn encompasses American sagebrush, flowering white thyme, a touch of rose otto (the teddy bear side, shhh!) and prairie switchgrass from the wild western territories. ‘Perfect for robbing banks on horseback’ they say. ‘Yes, dear. Or wearing to a BBQ…’ we might add.
DS & Durga Cowboy Grass £95 for 50ml eau de cologne
Buy it at Scent City
Written by Suzy Nightingale
