CALVIN KLEIN CK One

It really doesn't seem like 3 decades have passed since CK One launched -and in the process relaunched the once-popular unisex fragrence back into the mainstream.It's still defiantly modern -the passage of time hasn't diminished the timelessly classy presenation or quality of the fragrence itself. But it's a classic too -it was more or less an instant classic anyway. Time was, in the '90s, you couldn't open a contemporary man's magazine like GQ or FHM without the adverts, or the automatic recommendation in either 'reviews' or answering reader queries on the subject. The image hasn't changed: Kate Moss and similar models in black and grey, looking moody. First-generation Audi TTs outside open-plan warehouse conversions with black-painted metal beams, and equally exposed brickwork, with lots of glass everywhere -especially on the staircases. Oasis on the radio. This Life and Murphy's Law on the television. A DVD of The Usual Suspects sitting on a marble counter-top. A fragrence bottle left 'casually' on the shelf, to show the owner has better things to think about than scent. Except of course -it's all very deliberate, the apparent understatement a work of marketing genius (the adverts never even showed the bottle) and out-and-out product quality, which appealed to contemporary twenty / thirty-somethings, and those teenagers who could afford it and wanted to seem more sophisticated than their peers. It's something of a statement to the quality that CK One didn't get saddled with the negative connotations that can come from popularity when it isn't deserved. Perhaps the image itself they worked hard to create helped -because even if that isn't your own preferred aesthetic, very few could hand-on-heart claim it isn't eternally stylish.Or good.Presentation is as it always was: an lightly embossed, white cardboard box, which also contains the optional EDT spray, the bottle being dispatched with the regular screw-cap in place, so users can choose how they wish to apply. The bottle itself -classic: a clean-lined, pebble-smooth, frosted glass with the CK One and Calvin Kline logs in an understated typeface, and the screwcap or spray in satin-finished aluminium. It feels good in the hand, the glass high quality, and just weighty enough to suggest you are holding a premium offering. The design team did a great job here.Applying -it's not changed. It's never really changed. Yes, it's been reformulated, but that hasn't had much difference. If you look at the list of notes -top, middle and base, it's a busy old thing, and yet -And yet. It never really seems like it is. Initially you might say 'understated'. I prefer 'architectural'. If you look at it and smell it, you'll understand why. Fresh, crisp, clean, a lovely balance of citrus and green notes blending with some powder, floral and a faint touch of musk, all set out cleanly, as though they were on a frosted-glass shelf of the same kind the bottle is made from. It's a genuine unisex scent, and a downright beautiful one at that. Not 'pretty'. Not 'sweet'. Not 'heavy', not 'spicy', not 'woody', not 'aromatic'. There are many superb examples of all of those. This is citrus / green aromatic, with all the notes balanced to perfection. It's one of those scents that was perfectly judged for its time, and was good enough that it never ages: almost everybody likes it. Inoffensive, but without being boring. Silage isn't bad -you won't fumigate a room but it's distinctive enough. Dry-down and performance depend on your skin type. In my case, it doesn't really last more than an hour or two before it's become a skin-tone, but on others it does much 'better' in this sense. I loved it then, at launch, and now, age 45, I still love it. And with 200ml bottles often available for £31 - £35 on Amazon (as of November '23), the value is excellent. Highly recommended -if you haven't tried it, or got some in the collection: it's one to have.

Love this fragrance. A true classic.Been using it for years and still smells the same. The 200ml is definitely good value for money.Lasts for a few months, with a great smell that lingers.

Albeit lil expensive but worth it. Fragrance doesn't last that long ( 3- 4 hours max) but it is expected as it is Eau de Toilette rather than Eau de Perfume. Nice flowery and fresh fragrance. Quality of spray nozzle is good. Bottle looks wonderful with matte glass finish. Gives you both the screw lid and the spray as it is useful whilst travelling- just swap the lid and you're ready to go! You can get cheaper deals if you look around on idealo and keep on watching till you better deals and now that's what I do!

beautiful smell, not overwhelming. doesn't linger though, smell is gone within an hour or two

Love this,smells wonderful

A clean refreshing cologne that is light enough to wear during the day. The size is good value for money.

it smells really good. Good fragrance according to the price

Good value,great service.Not broken thank u