In 2009, Italian apostles of style Costume National created a scent that marked a departure from the house's unisex/androgynous fragrance portfolio, and finally produced an eau de parfum targeted solely at men. Innovation also came with this release in the form of a practically invisible tube to draw up the juice: something that left the boys scratching their heads exclaiming "how did they do it"!?

Costume National Homme surprises with a mouth-watering opening of citrus, patchouli, and cinnamon and nutmeg … marvelous accords that evoke a "freshly baked peach cobbler" feeling. Ten minutes later the fruitiness tapers off to reveal the lovely bittersweet prickle of clove and husky woods. Here is where the fragrance shifts from something with rich gourmand qualities to something sophisticated and spicy.

Wisps of sandalwood and labdanum permeate through a slightly transparent green veil of herbaceous thyme. The dry down explores the earthy aspect of patchouli and fragrant wood shavings.

Unique and appealing, Costume National chose to take an alternative route in creating a modern designer eau de parfum for men … not a whiff of the sea or speck of synthetic ozone is to be found here.

A must-have in the cooler climates, Costume National Homme does the Italian design house proud in standing head and shoulders above many others in its class.

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