Versatile Scents: Best Everyday Cologne for Any Season

Sometimes we guys just need a fragrance that's incredibly versatile, regardless of the season or situation. The best everyday cologne that works day or night, casual or formal.

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It's great to have scents for specific occasions, but it's even better to be able to reach for one that works 24/7 all year round.

Whether you're picking out a gift for him or finding a new favorite perfume for yourself, everyone has their own opinion of what makes a scent great and adaptable.

Later in the article, you'll find the answers ten guys give on their best everyday colognes because a fragrance is very personal, and there is no one-size-fits-all cologne.

Our Top Picks for Versatile Fragrances for Guys

Here are our top ten picks for all-around best colognes for men to wear anywhere.

It's a mix of top-selling and top-rated men's colognes, blending the most popular, famous designer fragrances with the best-smelling niche fragrances.

A men's perfume list that's a perfect starting point for any masculine fragrance collection.

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Best Overall

The opening of the Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum Pour Homme Spray fragrance created by Olivier Polge pulls you in immediately, with addictive fresh notes of artemisia, bergamot, lemon zest and mint.

However, it's the base of sandalwood that really sets this fragrance apart from its predecessors. 

It's a grown-up, big boy treatment of sandalwood. Super-seductive stuff! Cedar is also present in the dry-down, which further enhances the woody character of this fragrance.

This is one of the best everyday colognes - supremely smooth and elegant, with the creamy sandalwood sealing the deal.

Like all of the Bleu de Chanel iterations, it nails versatility, wearability, and elegance.

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Best Sophisticated

Originally launched in 2006, YSL l'Homme EDT is a true modern classic that's spawned a legion of very worthwhile flankers, including YSL La Nuit de l'Homme EDT and YSL l'Homme Ultime EDP. 

Created by the highly esteemed Anne Flipo, Pierre Wargnye and Dominique Ropion, it gets the balance between woody and fresh so right.

The opening notes of ginger, bergamot and lemon set the vibrant scene.

A handful of spice adds a beautiful contrast, while a cedar note in the base brings this fragrance together in a most sophisticated way.  

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Best Everyday Cologne

Dolce & Gabbana The One EDP is a very good masculine fragrance, but the EDP version takes it to a whole new level.

The Italian designer duo wanted to create classic male fragrances with The One range and they certainly succeeded with Dolce & Gabbana The One EDP. 

Created by Olivier Polge (now Chanel's in-house perfumer), this is one of those fragrances that works its charms from start to finish, courtesy of an array of inviting notes (grapefruit, coriander, basil, ginger, cardamom, orange blossom, tobacco, amber and cedarwood).

With just the right amount of sweetness, it's a warm and luxurious winner.

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Best for Summer

Inspired by the Italian Riviera, Neroli Portofino EDP was created by the highly skilled Rodrigo Flores-Roux.

It was recently announced that Tom Ford will be given the Fragrance Foundation's Hall of Fame Award in June 2019 for his contribution to perfumery.

We reckon Mr TF could be recognized for any number of his fragrances and Tom Ford Neroli Portofino EDP would be right up there on that list. 

It makes a huge impression with bursts of citrus intermingled with aromatic rosemary and lavender. 

When the floral notes come into play, it's like you're smack bang on the Amalfi. It's a perfect summer choice, of course, but works so well in winter too when you need a pure sunshine lift.

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Best Elegant

Guerlain is one of the most revered houses in perfumery and celebrated its 190th year in the biz in 2018. L'Homme Ideal was created by in-house perfumer Thierry Wasser proves it has not lost its touch.

It opens with deliciously fresh aromatic and citrus notes, including orange blossom and rosemary.

But it's the amaretto-like effect of the almond (lots of it) and tonka bean that makes this fragrance really distinctive and worth adding to your collection. 

It's smooth, creamy, sweet and elegant. The fragrance is rounded off with notes of leather, cedar and vetiver, adding to its up appeal.

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Best Fresh

Orange Sanguine is one of their best fragrances. It opens with a superbly authentic blood orange note that's zesty and fresh. 

Paris-based niche fragrance house Atelier Cologne specializes in concentrated colognes made from quality ingredients.

Perfumer Ralf Schwieger was inspired by the notion of "soft sea breezes and sunshine in a bottle", according to Atelier Cologne. And that's exactly what he did with this scent.

But there's more to this fragrance than pure uplifting orange, including standout notes of geranium and sandalwood. 

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Best for Winter

Creed Aventus EDP may get all the hype, but it's Creed Silver Mountain Water EDP that gets our vote for its versatility.

Inspired by perfumer Oliver Creed's love for skiing in the Swiss Alps with its snowy mountains and cool streams, it's quality stuff with a justifiable price tag. 

Inspiration often doesn't translate into reality, but this EDP does so brilliantly. Blackcurrant can be overbearingly sweet, but in Creed Silver Mountain Water it has a fresh and green quality.

This is enhanced by the green tea and bergamot notes, followed by sandalwood. It's a wonderfully crisp and clean affair.  

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Best Earthy

Extraordinary indeed! When Dominique Ropion created Vetiver Extraordinaire for Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, he set a new standard for vetiver fragrances in a category where there are some mighty fine examples, including Guerlain Vetiver and Lalique Encre Noire. 

Vetiver is known for its earthy, grassy quality and this EDP makes the most of its main ingredient, Haitian vetiver.

A brief hint of fresh citrus (bergamot and bitter orange) gives way to a magnificently rich take on vetiver that's supported by notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, cashmere and oakmoss.

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Best Floral

Since its founding in 1983 in Oman, Amouage has specialized in luxury fragrances with an Arabian focus. Amouage Reflection Man is one of the brand's more commercial releases, but that doesn't make it any less appealing.

It's all about florals and sweetness in this Lucas Sieuzac creation. A light sprinkling of red pepper berries in the opening will grab your attention.

Then it's full-on florals, thanks to notes of neroli, ylang-ylang and jasmine, followed by a woody whammy of sandalwood, cedar and patchouli.

It has an irresistible powdery aspect that's hard to beat.  

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Best Selling

Dior Sauvage EDP It's one of the best-selling men's colognes in recent years and is revered or reviled in equal measure.

Whatever you think about Dior Sauvage EDP, there's no mistaking this fragrance's trademark opening freshness, courtesy of the Calabrian bergamot note. 

It's not all about freshness in this François Demachy creation, though. Notes of nutmeg and Sichuan pepper bring a warm spiciness to the proceedings.

And then there's the hyper-dose of ambroxan, which gives Dior Sauvage EDP its ambery quality, and vanilla absolute for extra smoothness.

Certainly one of the best everyday colognes.

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10 Men and Their Best Everyday Cologne

Which cologne can I wear EVERYWHERE? Many guys who are just starting out with fragrances don't want to invest in a whole cologne collection for each scenario.

How about just one versatile cologne that will fit in for casual, work or evening wear? Also, if you're traveling or busy, it can be handy to have a signature scent that works in any situation.

Here's what these ten guys recommended.

I tend to go old school with Calvin Klein Obsession for my everyday life. However, Armani's Acqua Di Gio has an extremely positive effect on my wife.

• Mark Steines
• Co-host of Hallmark Channel's Home & Family
• MarkSteines.com
• Follow on Instagram | Twitter

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My favorite all-purpose fragrance is Aqua di Parma. This scent is fresh and clean, and works on so many occasions.

It used to be worn as a perfume in gentlemen's handkerchiefs, and it was a status symbol for celebrities like Cary Grant in the 1930s and 40s.

• Andrew Goodman
• Restaurateur and Style icon
• Battalion

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I love Maison Martin Margiela's Jazz Club. The fragrance is rich and heady with notes of whiskey, cigar smoke, and leather.

This fragrance gets more compliments when I wear this cologne than any other cologne I own. Also, the bottle is very cool and looks great sitting on a dresser. 

Also, the whole collection is based on Memories so it's a great talking point when someone compliments you. 

I have worn this cologne to meetings with the CEO of L'Oréal to a night at a beach party in Provincetown and have gotten compliments in every situation. 

• Kasey Adam Spickard
• Makeup Artist
• Face by Kase
• Follow on Instagram | Pinterest

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I love using the Dior Sauvage Eau De Toilette! I find that it's a fresh, sexy and versatile fragrance. I've worn this fragrance on nights out during the weekend as well as morning work meetings.

It's just suitable for every occasion and smells fresh and sophisticated at the same time. 

• Alsenio Espinal
• Fashion & Lifestyle blogger Alsenio
• Follow on Instagram | Facebook

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I'm a big fan of Diptyque, Tam Dao. Otherwise, I just splash coffee on my wrists, ha! 

• Jordan Rosenacker
• Co-Founder Atlas Coffee Club
• Follow on Instagram | Twitter

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I use Fan di Fendi. This is an all-around favorite. It is masculine and just strong enough to get everyone's attention without over-powering them.  

Fendi reminds me of being "on point" and feeling and looking my best.  I have worn this in on-screen interviews, planning and production meetings, and of course, when I am making public appearances. 

• Bruce W. Cameron M.S., LPC-S, LSOTP, PA
• Concierge Coach
• Follow on LinkedIn

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My favorite cologne is Inner Realm for Men. It is a great, fresh scent. However, it contains synthetic human pheromones, which allegedly help make it more alluring to women on a biological level.

I can't say definitively if that works one way or another, but I get complimented on it all the time, by both women and men.

I wear it when I go out with my clients, helping them in their dating endeavors. I'll also give them a few sprays of it. While it's not a replacement for good looks and charm, it's amazing how many random women tell them how great they smell.

• Jonathan Bennett
• Co-Owner The Popular Man
• Follow on Twitter

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The number one cologne that comes up with all my clients is Issey Miyake.

It's fresh enough to be used in summer/ at work but strong enough to wear through winter; it truly is very versatile.

Not only does it smell like a quality perfume, but the feedback from women is always great and that's what most men care about the most.

• Denzel Jones
• Dating Coach School of Attraction
• Follow on Twitter | Facebook

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I've yet to find a more subtle, versatile, and effective cologne than L'eau D'issey Pour Homme from Issey Miyake.

It's a mix of traditionally masculine sandalwood with a hint of a lighter citrus scent. It's unique and it stands out without ever being overpowering - it just feels like a natural extension of the musk every man hopes to achieve.

I've worn it to work, on dates, at social events - just about everywhere I've been, and at every single one of them I've been told that I smell good.

If that's not praise enough for this cologne, I don't know what is.

• Jordan Harling
• Digital Copywriter and Outreach Executive
• Roman Blinds Direct

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And there you have it - a great selection of the best everyday cologne. Both Issey Miyake and Dior seem to be doing something right!

Thanks so much to all the guys who weighed in.

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