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Gucci – Envy For Men: Overview, Smell, Notes & More!

Most fragrance heads know that Tom Ford was the Creative Director at Gucci before launching his eponymous brand. 

During his 10+ year stint, he played a successful role in the implementation of several 90s Gucci fragrances, many of which are now among the company’s most successful products.

Gucci Envy cologne is one of their most unique fragrances to date.

And because of the difficulty in finding a similar modern fragrance, it’s only fair we dissect it in depth.

Overview

  • Brand: Gucci
  • Fragrance: Envy
  • Release: 1998
  • Gender: Men
  • Perfumer: Daniela Andrier, under the creative direction of Tom Ford

Fragrance Notes

  • Top Notes: Ginger, Cardamom, Lavender, Pepper, Mahogany, Coriander, Mandarin Orange
  • Heart Notes: Sandalwood, Cedar, Carnation, Jasmine, Rose
  • Base Notes: Incense, Vanilla, Tobacco, Amber, Vetiver, Leather, Patchouli, Musk

What Does Gucci Envy For Men Smell Like?

The first spray boasts warm, spicy ginger.

The majority of the spices play a background role in the first few seconds and are then complemented by well-blended citrus. 

The spices get warmer and more noticeable as the scent dries down, with sandalwood and cedar adding an element of richness at this stage.

This brings out a strong foundation of warmth and coziness.

Do note that although the perfume has a heart of florals, they are the least noticeable accords.

Some are more pronounced than others (e. g., carnation and lavender), but still not as strong as you’d expect.

That said, there’s a subtle feeling that the scent would’ve been completely different without this floral blend of smells, highlighting the genius of the nose behind it.

The last stage (a favorite for most) is a heavenly blend of smooth, smoky, buttery goodness, highlighted by the likes of incense, vanilla, and the rough (but warm) tobacco. 

An impressive finish.

How Long Does It Last?

As an EDT, the longevity is pretty good.

It lasts for about 6-8 hours on average, a major upgrade from a standard 2-4 hour EDT. 

The sillage is also impressive — not too overwhelming, but pretty good stuff that is strong enough to make an impression.

When Should You Wear It?

Envy For Men can easily be an all-year-round fragrance.

That said, the warm, creamy backbone makes it more suited to the colder seasons. 

It can be worn both during the day and at night.

Most people around you will like it, but as counterintuitive as it may sound, this is also its most criticized feature.

Envy For Men is a luxury brand perfume, and because of this, many take jabs at it for smelling too…well, normal.

Few men’s scents are as well-blended, but it won’t be the holy grail that sets you apart — especially in comparison to other designers. 

This can be a dealbreaker for some people.

Where Should You Wear It?

Because you can count on it to adapt to the different seasons, this perfume is one of the most versatile by Gucci.

You can wear it to work, on dates, at family gatherings, and everything in between.

Presentation and Value For Money

Most men today can wear it, but this scent is geared to the older, more mature man, oozing confidence and self-assurance.

The bottle is famous for its large black cap, with pale green juice peeping through the crystal-clear glass.

It’s no longer produced, and along with scents like Gucci Nobile, Gucci Rush, and Gucci pour Homme, the original price, not to mention the current market price, can be overwhelming.

It varies to some extent.

A 50ml bottle can go for $300 while a 100ml bottle can sometimes be seen at $180.

The opposite is more common though, with a 100ml bottle going for $450-$600.

If it has to be your signature scent and you have the money, make the purchase.

If you don’t, and you need something similar that’s still relevant today, take a look at the alternatives below.

The Bottom Line

Whether Ford’s exit spurred the discontinuation of this fragrance is unclear.

However, if the brand decided to produce a reformulated version today, fans would still turn up in droves.

If you’re one of them, make sure to get a lifetime stock. This is a classic that will never go out of style.

Perfumes that Smell Like Gucci Envy For Men

It’s not easy to find a like-for-like scent, but the three below are close enough for those who still miss Envy.

1. Danger Pour Homme Parfum Cologne (Roja Dove)

A modern alternative (2019), Danger is as versatile as Envy For Men, if not more so.

It has a citrusy opening and a floral heart, but the spices in this are at the base, complemented by the likes of creamy vanilla and slightly sweet jasmine.

2. Antidote (Viktor and Rolf)

Older than Danger (2006), Antidote is the proud winner of two FiFi Awards.

The green liquid is a blend of citrus, spice, florals, and rich, creamy woods. 

It contains a few distinct features like mint and cinnamon that set it apart.

3. Fahrenheit (Christian Dior)

Fahrenheit is the oldest.

Released in 1988, it deserves a place on the list seeing that it’s still found in major department stores from time to time (reformulated versions, of course). 

It’s a woodier, more masculine alternative to Envy, but also contains some fresh spicy elements, culminating into a beautiful fragrance.

A few other worthy mentions include:

  • Floris Santal
  • Carven Homme
  • Fendi Uomo

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