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russell smith

The question

What's a good scent for a man?

The answer

The same scent smells different on different individuals, so this is something you have to pick for yourself – but make sure you do it in the presence of your significant other so that you can choose it together.

Remember that about half of women don't like scent on men at all or at least say that they don't. (Personally I suspect that they just don't like cheap scents on unattractive men; attractive men can get away with anything.)

Remember too that public spaces are increasingly going scent-free – all hospitals and doctors' offices, many university and school buildings, some concert halls, theatres and any place that is generally left wing.

Once you have cleared all these hurdles, you are ready to take the plunge. I love beautiful smells on all people. Summery scents tend to be lighter – that is, they stick more to the citrusy-soapy side than to the musk-spice-leather side. Your body's natural odour will be stronger in hot weather, so you need to lighten up the scent. Scent will smell stronger in humid weather, too.

Here's a new one that I really like: Michael Kors For Men, which will be on sale at The Bay in September. It's actually constructed of spicy and woody scents, including barely perceptible patchouli and a little musk, that are generally thought to be earthy or wintery, but I have found it to be light enough – and noticeably soapy – for warm-weather wear.

Novelist Russell Smith's memoir, Blindsided, is available as a Kobo e-book. Have a style question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.

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