several bottles of cologne in a collection on a shelf

How Many Colognes Should a Man Own: The Core Four and Beyond

One of the most common questions our Fragrance Familia team encounters from newcomers to the world of cologne collections is, "How many colognes should a man own?" Team Familia does not believe there is any upper limit here, meaning that the cologne collection you build can become as large as you'd like! 

However, we do believe there is minimum number of colognes every man should own: 4. We call this the Core Four. Allow us to explain what these are.

1. The Everyday Hero: Your Signature Scent

This is your trusty sidekick, the cologne that defines you, or your signature scent. It's comfortable, familiar, and says, "This is me, every day." Choose something versatile, with notes that complement your natural aroma. Woody for the grounded, citrusy for the energetic, spicy for the bold – explore and find your perfect go-to scent. Finding your daily driver requires experimentation to find the right fit but we recommend giving Dolce & Gabbana's The One a try!

3.3 oz bottle of dolce and gabbana's the one cologne along with black packaging

2. The Office Avenger: Light & Professional

The boardroom isn't the place for loud colognes. Your office cologne should be a whisper, not a shout. Think clean citrus, delicate lavender, or a light aquatic accord. It should say, "I mean business, but I'm also approachable." Remember, first impressions matter, and your scent is part of the package.

We recently crowned Terre D'Hermes By Hermes as our top professional workplace cologne, a must-own for the working man.

6.7 oz. bottle of Terre D'Hermes By Hermes cologne

3. The Gym Gladiator: Fresh & Citrusy

Post-workout? You've earned the right to smell victorious. Think invigorating grapefruit, energizing lemon, or a cool cucumber accord. Your gym cologne should uplift and energize, leaving you feeling fresh and ready to tackle the rest of your day. One of the best gym fragrances we recommend is the classic Acqua Di Gio.

6.7 oz. bottle of Acqua Di Gio cologne By Giorgio Armani
4. The Date Night Casanova: Deep & Creamy

This is where the magic happens. Date night calls for a scent that's sophisticated, alluring, and leaves a lasting impression. Think warm amber, rich sandalwood, or a touch of sensual musk. Your date night cologne should whisper confidence. Something like Yves Saint Laurent's La Nuit De L'Homme could work very well here but you'll want to experiment!

 3.3 oz bottle of yves saint laurent's la nuit de l'homme cologne

Did we miss any categories or does the Core 4 cover how many colognes a man should own, at least initially? Please share with Fragrance Familia in the comments!

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