High Line

Each year when springtime starts to come around, I feel as if I'm on the quest for the PERFECT spring/summer fragrance that I can wear each and every day without hesitation -- I've come close (Prada Luna Rossa Eau Sport, Chanel Allure Homme Sport, Chanel Allure Homme Sport Cologne, to name a few). Recently, I tried a small sample of Bond's High Line. While it's marketed as a fragrance for men and women, I say it leans a bit more feminine... but WOW... REALLY, REALLY nice stuff... and I say this from a male perspective. Could I wear it CONFIDENTIALLY? Not sure. I remember being in TOTAL bliss with three women's fragrances back in the early 2000s, and bought all three. The only one I felt confident enough to wear was Paco Rabanne's "Ultraviolet." Back to High Line... It's spring/fresh/summer/floral/clean/crisp and smells modern. If a woman wore linen capris and a white linen shirt to an Easter or summer Sunday brunch... THIS is what she SHOULD be wearing, hands down! I read somewhere there is a hint of "oak" in the note breakdown and that may be where I'm getting the SLIGHTLY male aspect of the scent, but in general, this reminds me of something a woman would wear -- with just a nod to the man. Side note... if the bottle design wasn't so "girly" as well, my mind would probably process the feminine vs. masculine aspects of this fragrance a bit differently. High Line gets TWO thumbs up from me, however!

First of all, longevity is great. Can smell it on my skin clearly 24 hours after spraying. I'm a pretty "masculine" guy, but I tend to like lighter citrus and florals. I try not to get caught up in the masculine/feminine issue, if I like it I like it, but even this seemed too feminine for me... at first. I've worn my sample a few times now, and I've actually come to enjoy it a lot, to the point where I'm mulling a FB. Women can definitely wear this, but there's a hint of something greenish (what the hell does a color smell like anyway?) that takes the feminine edge off and makes me more comfortable wearing it as a man. I haven't seen iris mentioned, but all the notes combined come across similar to other iris notes I've tried. It sort of reminds me of a slightly brighter Atellier Iris Rebelle with some added white floral. I think the the idea that a man's scent should be woody, spicy, tabacco, ambroxan, etc, is played out. I think scents like this and Sag Harbor are great for men because they're unexpected and attention-grabbing without being aggressive. Don't let your preconceived notions get in the way of what you enjoy. Man or woman, if you're looking for a light, airy, slightly green floral with great staying power, this is at least worth a sample.

One of my staple fragrances. I discovered this beauty during my quest for the perfect freshly cut grass scent -which I haven't found yet- and I fell in love with it. I couldn't possibly describe it better than Hoxx down below -thank you for your beautiful review- though personaly I can't smell the rhubarb note. Which is quite strange because I am a rhubarb lover and I can smell it in Burberry Brit Red, some Nina Ricci fragrances, Hermès'rhubarb etc... So what I like about this fragrance is what many reviewers mentioned: it smells like spring. It is fresh, green, floral and maybe a little bit ozonic. If the scent of fresh tulips could ever be captured, that would be that smell... I have Byredo La Tulipe in my collection. Though I love it I think it is a poetic interpretation of that flower. High Line is the tulip. At least to my nose. Anyway the longevity of this fragrance is not subjective. It is just amazing. So ok, High Line is very expensive but definitely worth the money it you like that kind of grassy green fragrances!

For a change, I do not own this Bond... it came in a bon-bon set. But boy, I can already tell I'm going to want to sniff this more, once my small sample is out... I gladly describe this - and I say gladly, because this is a happy scent. Smile! I quickly think of cool green grasses, white/yellow floral, very light rose, and a 'clean linen' notion. It's very fresh. Being a completely obsessed person with scents (I know, I'm in good company!) I oftentimes give my new samples a 'test run' in front of family or friends: people who will tell me things bluntly. Oh, you know, a quick pass in front to get a good wiff. For whatever reason, my mother has commented each time when I'm wearing this. What are you wearing??? You smell GOOD! Shes a big jasmine nut (Elie Saab, Alien) and I think I can see why someone loving white florals would love this. Right up your alley!

I have been wanting to try this for months. I finally stopped procrastinating and ordered a sample. I'm a lover of green scents, tulips and and...well...every other note attributed to Bond No. 9 High Line. It seemed like the quintessential fragrance for my tastes from the reviews I've read. So many times, I will set my expectations high over a scent I've read about, seen, or heard of, only to be disappointed. This is not the case. Every note is perfect, from opening to finish. Two hours after application, the burst of green has settled and the tulips and hyacinth are sprouting. Half-way through the day, the rose opens her bud. All the while, the sweet-tart rhubarb provides a background chorus. I am in LOVE, and if I don't own a FS bottle of this soon, I feel I shall perish. Sillage is wonderful; lasting power is amazing. Win!