best mens colognes for summertime (1)

Best Men’s Fragrances/Colognes for Summertime (2023)

I own most of the fragrances on this list and can vouch for them personally. You’ll see a lot of clones/dupes of popular men’s summer fragrances on this list. Why? I have a hard time justifying the price tag for most designer fragrances given how much the quality and performance have decreased over the years yet the price keeps going up.

I’m only featuring men’s summer fragrances that I own and can vouch for personally. After looking at my summer collection, these are the colognes I reach for most often during summertime.

Best Men’s Fragrances/Colognes for Summertime (2023)

In no particular order.

Armaf Club De Nuit Iconic

Clone of:
Bleu De Chanel EDP (90-95%)

bleu de chanel dupe
club de nuit iconic notes
Source: Fragrantica
Club De Nuit Iconic Review
Similarity To Bleu De Chanel EDP
9
Longevity
9
Projection
8

When I first got Armaf Club De Nuit Iconic the scent didn’t last or project at all!

Thank goodness I bought it in January in preparation for summer because this allowed it time to macerate.

After sitting for 2 months it now performs well above average for a summertime fragrance.

Its scent profile and performance make this a versatile 3-season fragrance. You could get away with wearing it in winter but I personally prefer warmer scents in cold weather.

Performance: Projection is average for 1st 2 hours and I get 8-10 hours on my skin and days on my clothes.

Afnan Turathi Blue

Clone of:
Bvlgari Tygar

mens colognes for summer 1
turathi blue notes
Source: Fragrantica
Afnan Turathi Blue Review
Similarity To Bvlgari Tygar
9
Longevity
9
Projection
7.5

This is a citrus and grapefruit bomb! The grapefruit smells so real it actually makes me thirsty in warm weather!

If you enjoy citrusy fragrances this is a must-buy. The quality for the price is outstanding.

Performance: Projection is average for 1st 2 hours and I get 8-10 hours on my skin and days on my clothes.

Missoni Wave

Not a clone.

Similar to:
Chanel Allure Homme Sport
Versace Pour Homme

mens colognes for summertime
missoni wave notes
Source: Fragrantica
Missoni Wave Review
Scent
9
Longevity
7.5
Projection
6.5

I’ve owned Versace Pour Homme before and this is a deeper, better performing, and creamier version. The vanilla orchid really sets this scent apart and adds some depth.

I prefer this over Versace and I think it’s redundant to own both.

Performance: Average projection for 2 hours, I get 6-8 hours on my skin and a day on clothes.

Missoni Parfum Pour Homme

Not a clone.

Similar to:
Bleu De Chanel

mens fragrances for summer
missoni pour homme notes
Source: Fragrantica
Missoni Parfum Pour Homme Review
Scent
9
Longevity
7.5
Projection
6.5

I see people comparing this to Bleu De Chanel and I don’t smell what they’re smelling. To me, it has maybe a 50% similarity. So, don’t buy this thinking it’s a Bleu De Chanel clone because it’s not.

They both share similar notes of grapefruit, ginger, lemon, and jasmine but the amount you smell of each is very different in both fragrances.

Bleu De Chanel is much more piercing with the lemon and grapefruit initially which hands off to a more prominent ginger note than Missoni.

MIssoni is more linear and smells similar from start to finish. Bleu De Chanel smells very different from beginning to end.

This is one of my favourite dumb reaches and gym scents. It’s very safe and easy on the nose, and mass pleasing.

Performance: Projection is average for 1st 1.5-2 hours and I get 5-6 hours on my skin and a day on my clothes.

Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale Blu

Not a clone.

Similar to, and creamier than:
Versace Dylan Blue
Bleu De Chanel

best mens fragrances for summer
acqua essenziale blu notes
Source: Fragrantica
Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale Blu Review
Scent
9.5
Longevity
8.5
Projection
7.5

I’ve heard people say this is the offspring of Bleu De Chanel and Versace Dylan Blue if they were to have a baby.

I agree to an extent. I get more Dylan Blue than Bleu De Chanel though, likely due to the use of heavy Ambroxan.

This is a creamier version of both and I prefer this to both of those fragrances.

Performance: Projection is average for 1st 2 hours and I get 8-10 hours on my skin and days on my clothes.

Bvlgari Aqva Marine

Not a clone.

best mens colognes for summer
bvlgari aqva marine notes
Source: Fragrantica
Bvlgari Aqva Marine Review
Scent
9.5
Longevity
6.5
Projection
7

I’ve used Bvlgari Aqva Marine for many years, even before I got into collecting fragrances. It was love at first sniff for me.

It was unlike anything I’d ever smelt, and still is.

This scent immediately puts my mind on the air of a beach on a tropical island. It’s uplifting, soothing, and relaxing.

Its performance is on the lower end compared to other fragrances on this list but its scent makes up for it.

Performance: Projection is average for 1st 2 hours and I get 4-6 hours on my skin and a day on clothes.

Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme

Not a clone.

best mens colognes for summertime
bvlgari aqva pour homme notes
Source: Fragrantica
Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme Review
Scent
8.5
Longevity
7
Projection
7

This is the big brother of Bvlgari Aqva Marine. It’s a little darker, greener, and deeper. To me, this is the spring and summer night version of Aqva.

Performance: Projection is average for 1st 2 hours and I get 5-7 hours on my skin and a day on my clothes.

Versace Dylan Blue

Not a clone.

colognes for summer 2
dylan blue notes
Source: Fragrantica
Versace Dylan Blue Review
Scent
8
Longevity
8.5
Projection
7.5

Given my taste and the number of options in my collection, I don’t reach for this one all that often.

I tend to like sweeter and creamier scents, whereas Dylan Blue is peppery.

It’s a great scent and an icon in the fragrance world. It’s also very mass appealing, in part due to the heavy use of ambroxan and being shower gelly.

It’s loved by most, especially women.

Performance: Projection is above average for 1st 2 hours and I get 8-10 hours on my skin and days on my clothes.

Lattafa Maahir Legacy

Clone of:
Parfums De Marly Sedley

colognes for summertime
maahir legacy notes
Source: Parfumo
Maahir Legacy Review
Scent
8.5
Longevity
8
Projection
7

Just got this and need to spend more time with it to give my opinion. Weather hasn’t been cooperating yet.

Performance: Still testing.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

colognes for summertime 1
dolce gabbana light blue notes
Source: Parfumo
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Review
Scent
9
Longevity
6
Projection
7

Light Blue is an iconic summer scent. It’s so fresh, slightly spicy, and easy to wear. I can’t imagine someone not liking this.

This is a great choice for beginners but may seem a bit boring to more experienced noses.

Performance: Projection is average for 1st 2 hours and I get 4-6 hours on my skin and 12 hours on my clothes.