Truth be told, it is unknown who decided the gender of the olfactory notes. Most probably it is just an association of ideas that states that: women smell like flowers and delicate aromas, and men, in their most cliché version, smell like the leather of their boots, the tobacco of their cigars or products of daily cleaning.
Probably that is where the feminine aromas were related to floral notes and the masculine ones with more intense notes.
Let's start saying that most perfumers in the world agree that fragrance has no gender. However, it is society that, for a taste that has been "educated", associates certain perfumes with a specific genre.
This preconceived idea may vary depending on the country or region. In Latin America, the cultural division of aromas is very powerful, and any floral accent in a masculine fragrance is automatically rejected. In Spain, the use of fresh colognes is quite popular among men and women and although the line between one and the other exists, it is not so strong. In cultures such as the French or the Arab, perfumes are more label-free and, in fact, it is men who prefer floral scents.
In fact, this distinction between men and women perfumes is the result of marketing, and the need for cataloging. It is easier to promote, position, target and sell products with this gender division. But like fashion, perfumery is beginning to leave labels behind. Just like men wear bags, skirts and genderless clothes and women who wear men's jackets or shirts; many scents are created to be attractive to both women and men.
While it is true that in general, women are less judgmental when choosing a fragrance, regardless of its gender label, men are somewhat more reticent. Fortunately, new generations are already more receptive to genderless proposals and understand that wearing a perfume with jasmine or a shirt with bright details has nothing to do with sexuality.
Let's start saying that most perfumers in the world agree that fragrance has no gender. However, it is society that, for a taste that has been "educated", associates certain perfumes with a specific genre.
In this new reality, the good news is that the exclusive lines of perfume houses have decided to forget about the fragrance genre once and for all. Carolina Herrera Confidential, Tom Ford, Christian Dior, Hermessence by Hermés or Armani Privé among others, have decided to create exceptional and unique perfumes … regardless of who is going to wear them.
