Back to School Fragrance Hunt : Part II (For Guys)

Girls aren't the only ones who like to smell good for school! Guys need fragrances too, whether it's for spritzing on after gym class, making yourself smell presentable every morning, or giving that special girl a scent to remember. Across the board, guys' cologne seems to be more expensive than girls' perfume, but it is nonetheless a necessity. Here are a few that you can't go wrong with. 

AE Real

American Eagle always has a great selection of fragrances for both genders, so it's usually my first stop when it comes to buying perfume or cologne as a gift for another teen. 

Real is spicy, warm, and confident. It contains many different notes, ranging from cool citrus and cardamom to amber and rosewood. This is definitely not the type of cologne that goes unnoticed, and its bold scent is very good at drawing attention to the wearer. 

Real is available from American Eagle in a 1.7 oz bottle ($39.95). A more affordable alternative is the AE Real Body Spray ($9.95). 

Jake by Hollister

Hollister is infamous for the way that their fragrances are pumped through their stores to the point of becoming overpowering. It's impossible to ignore the scent as you walk through the mall, and shoppers often complain of headaches and sensory overload. Believe it or not, their fragrances are actually really nice when experienced in a lighter dose. 


Jake has a citrusy top that fades flawlessly into a woodsy base. It is sweet, sour, and strong all at once. Although most guys rave that it is perfect for the beach, this cologne is equally effective in the classroom and perfect for everyday wear (and the ladies love it, too!). 

Jake is available from Hollister in quantities of 1 oz ($30) or 1.7 oz ($38).



Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch

This final cologne is a bit more expensive than the other two, but, in my opinion, definitely worth the extra cash. While browsing online to refresh my memory for this post, everywhere I turned, there seemed to be guys exclaiming praise for Fierce, and even more girls crying out that they wished their men would wear it. 

The Fierce experience begins with a clean, light, citrus that pulls you in (I'm sensing a theme with these colognes). Next, it opens up to jasmine, rose, and fir. Finally, the underlying base of musk, oakmoss, and vetiver is exposed. There is nothing quite like it, and this cologne is undoubtedly geared towards the younger generation. 

Fierce is available from Abercrombie & Fitch in a variety of different sizes: 1 oz ($44), 1.7 oz ($54), 3.4 oz ($74), and 6.7 oz ($98).