Somewhere between familiar and sexy is Tom Ford’s first men’s fragrance for Gucci, Gucci Envy for Men. This 1998 instant classic featuring opoponax, incense, patchouli, amber, musk, cedar, cardamom, anise, coriander, ginger, nutmeg and pimento is a sweet oriental, quite the opposite of what I had initially expected after testing the very green Envy for Women.
Envy was a big disappointment to me when it launched because I had already sniffed Jivago 7 Elements and Obsession for Men, scents which this fragrance respectfully references, in my humble opinion. Envy opens with a sweet, slightly licorice-tinged ginger note, moving to a sweet musk and amber bouquet. Accents of nutmeg, patchouli, and woods appear now and then and the entire composition melts together into a warm, lingering aroma. The longevity and sillage are excellent, likely due to the amber and musk, though there is little development. Now, nearly 8 years after the first time I purchased Envy, I’m able to test and judge it with a slightly more impartial perspective. The verdict: it’s good stuff.
Envy was to Gucci what Obsession was to Calvin Klein, a powerhouse oriental that put the company on the track to success in the fragrance department. It’s also simple enough to be easy to like, though to my nose, the fragrance is lacking something defining and feels incomplete. But for what it is and the equally sexy bottle the juice is housed in (not to mention the affordable prices on many internet sites), this one is sure to make a great gift for…well, just about anyone you’d like to help smell incredible. Even better, help Dad out and get him away form that bottle of Aqua Velva and put Envy on your Father’s Day gift list.
Gucci Envy for Men is widely available at department stores and at the online discounters. You can find 50 ml bottles for under $25 at parfum1, perfume.com and scentiments.
5 Comments
Read more about commenting at Now Smell This.
Mmmm, when I first smelt Gucci Envy for men it reminded me of Halston's Catalyst (which I consider a genius scent, reminding me of the resinous wax smell the women here in Argentina used for eyebrow,etc waxing)
Also of Kenzo Jungle for man (or did that came afterwards) I sincerely prefer Halston's to Gucci's.
It is decent but my skin chemistry ends up busting it up.
I would certainly recommend it to anyone whose chemistry supports it
Once I gave my dad a bottle of perfume to get him out of his “Jules” (Dior) habit and he loved it… It was Guy Laroche's Horizon. Manly enough for a straight guy (as my dad) but sophisticated enough to stand out.
I can understand that. I do feel the Gucci Envy is lacking something.
Marlen
Sorry but I really do have to wade in to defend this fragrance.
I fell in love with Envy the first time I tested it. My God I loved everything about it. I felt great from top note to basenote. And it lasts too, with great sillage. It's a funny scent really, as the wearer you feel like it's staying close to the skin, whereas in fact it's not, and projects well long after application.
I'm not going to waffle on about ingredients, only I will say is that on the right skin (perhaps mine is one of those) it can be a headline grabbing scent that will be noticed. It has a similar effect on the opposite effect as Mont Blanc's wonderful “Presence”, which I adore (it must be good because Tommy Bahama smells so much like it on drydown).
Plus I get to say “Yeah, it's Envy, are you jealous?”.
Yes, I know it's cheesy, but hey, what the heck!
Sorry that should have been “it has a similar effect on the opposite sex as…”
Marlen no longer writes here, and I haven't a word to say about Envy for men, so your defense will stand unanswered