Escape for Men

★★★★ In the 90s, when I was a child, I had my first experiences with fragrances which equipped me with wonderful nostalgic memories and associations with places and people. Some of the scents I remember from that era were Jean-Paul Gaultier's Le Male that my dad used to wear (and still does), By by Dolce & Gabbana, Eau De Soir, and Polo Sport that was one of my first scents I was given as a present. Now, there were a couple of scents I remember as a memory but never really had their identity revealed, therefore there were just indistinct memories that lingered in my brain for all this time, blurred images and thoughts of a beautiful careless feeling, a place and a season. When I revisited Escape for Men recently, I suddenly completed the puzzle. That smell that i could not really put into words, that blurred image just got crystal clear and left me speechless experiencing something very personal while smelling my wrist. I was a kid, in my room, playing Nintendo 64, the air condition was on in that hot summer day, and a couple of friends were over. Someone was wearing Escape that day, and i remember noticing it and enjoying the smell without asking what it was because I was only a child and Pokemon seemed like a more interesting subject for discussion. Escape smells very 90s, not because it has a synthetic aquatic character, but because it has a relaxed and outdoor influenced freshness that was popular back then, casual but elegant at the same time. It starts out with a wonderful melon note, but it is not sporty in character. The top notes are achieving that outdoor freshness, because both the mango and the melon are not too sweet since they are blended wonderfully with the herbal freshness of the eucalyptus. After that, the middle notes stay for a few hours, which is a blend of fruits and green herbs with some woody undertones, nothing stands out, all working in harmony creating a unique aroma that is youthful but not juvenile, casual but not cheap, just uplifting and crisp. The base notes are very discreet and support the masculine character of the fragrance without letting it be unisex. Escape lasts for about 8 hours on my skin with good sillage for the first couple of hours and then a moderate sillage for the most of its lifespan until the soft base notes appear. If I try to set my personal memory aside, I can say with confidence that this is truly underrated, since it does what fragrances like Millesime Imperial tried to do, only Escape is cheaper, unpretentious and more original, released at a time where good aromatics thrived before extreme aquatic sporties dominated a few years later. The green notes in this make it suitable for the winter too, therefore it can be a great signature scent for every occasion and in every temperature, well, at least for me, after having the true vintage Kouros and the niche Acqua Di Sale on that position, and after having tried so many rare and niche fragrances that try too hard, the conclusion was finally the notion of "less is more". This, Kenzo Pour Homme and Ralph Lauren Polo Sport are my summer staples, what can I do, I'm a 90s kid. In an era that gourmands are trendy and oud is everywhere, I walk around wearing Escape and when people ask me what am I wearing, expecting an answer equivalent to Creed or Acqua Di Parma, I just remind them of what the fragrance aesthetics used to be, when creativity was a priority. Please, all you fragrance lovers out there, there are some creations from the 90s you choose to ignore that are still relevant today, after all the trend in the 90s was modernity and transparency, doesn't that suit your total black Skandinavik urban clothing look? Four fruity fresh stars for the sake of nostalgia!

Escape for Men was launched in 1993 to pair with the highly successful female version, launched in 1991. Its fragrance was created by Steven Demercado and David Apel, at a time when little was said about co-creations, which is why few people know about the presence of the latter in the creative process. Escape for Men is classified as aromatic, but on the skin, it reveals very striking fruity nuances and a very surprising woody drying. At the start, it brings notes of bergamot, eucalyptus leaves, melon, mango, grapefruit, cedar, and juniper. On the body, it brings notes of rosemary, cypress, birch leaves, fir balm, marine accord, and sage. At the base, it brings notes of amber, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, and oakmoss. Escape for Men is from a time when we still had creations with fewer synthetic notes, resulting from prohibitions imposed by the industry. My bottle dates from August 1997 and can therefore be considered vintage. After that, much is said about a reformulation that brings less quality to sandalwood and, above all, to oakmoss. And it is also worth warning about repackaging since the most current bottles do not have the matte/frosted effect of yesteryear. On the skin, Escape for Men shows the weight and huge success of the Calvin Klein brand in the 90s, when its fragrances were of high quality and desired worldwide. The fragrance touches the skin in a very juicy way, a real fruity mix with a lot of grapefruit and melon, which does not easily yield to the mango notes but does not resist the camphor side of the eucalyptus. Here, this creation achieves something rare, which is to stimulate the taste buds without using gourmet notes. Then, a green and aromatic rosemary smell starts to emerge, taking us from the juice stand at the beach and transporting us to a sunny and not-so-humid forest, with green woods and many aromatic and balmy facets. On my skin, cypress and birch stand out, with citrus and leathery nuances. Escape for Men leaves the fruity environment and enters the aromatic-green universe, which precedes the arrival of denser and woody notes, with the enormous creaminess – almost powdery – of sandalwood and all the green aspect of the oakmoss. In this fragrance, we don't have the mossy facets that are common in fougères, but the green and exquisite ones of the chypre (especially the feminine ones). On my skin, Escape for Men has high performance and is, in my opinion, a masterpiece of world perfumery. Its fragrance manages to change, deviating through different olfactory paths until reaching an extremely elegant, youthful (in a way) and refined result. Even today, when I wear my Escape for Men, I notice that people ask me the name of the scent, waiting to hear the name of a Creed or other brand in the niche segment, and are surprised when I say it is a Calvin Klein. Without a doubt, it is one of the best aromatic and fresh fragrances ever created for the male audience in the 90s.

Story time... I was in Highschool and I remember talking to the sales lady @ Hecht's as she said it was CK's newest fragrance... I loved it... It was the one I asked my folks for and received as a gift for Christmas in 1993.. It became the scent that I would tie all of my high school memories to... I had only been dating the girl that is still my wife for a couple months so our early relationship is tied to this scent... I had many more bottles of Escape through out the 90s as well... And have multiple versions now and will ALWAYS have them in my collection... The current "clear glass" formulation is just a shadow of it's former self... I mean it is still nice but it's not the same fragrance... It's much sweeter and long gone is that masculine birch note (like fresh cut birch wood and not birch tar) that really manned up the heart of this fragrance... So some tips to would be buyers... If you are looking to pick a bottle up, pay attention to the back of box... If it says Coty & "Made in Spain" on the back it will be nice if it's the first time you are smelling it because you don't know what you are missing... As long as you do not already have scent memories tied to this scent you'll be happy with this... BUT... If it says Coty on the back & "Made in USA" on the bottom then you should have a frosted bottle and it will be more like what you want... It's a nicer a richer scent... BUT... If you find "Unilever" on the back and "Made in USA" on the bottom printed on the cellophane... (If no cellophane then no code on the box...) You are even closer to the original and the bottle will be from early 2000s... In the range of 20 years old... This version is very close to the OG and it may be the version you have your scent memories tied to... ^_^ BUT FINALLY... Should you come across the unicorn for Escape lovers... No Coty on the back... No Unilever on the back... Just Calvin Klein Cosmetics... 4 Cities: New York, London, Paris, Milano on the back... "Made in USA" on the bottom cellophane... (Again... If no cellophane then no code on the box...) Short Ingredient list in multiple languages... You have an OG 90s bottle that may be 30 years old... If it was stored properly then you have the golden egg that the goose laid... ^_^ I actually have this version on right now... Not as sweet as current... That wonderful birch note... Richer and fuller than any other version because the base notes are of a higher quality before IFRA limited them... Just laying outside in the grass at night looking up at the stars with your future still ahead of you... The possibilities were endless and the fragrance was incredible... Actually... It still is... ^_~

Escape to Euphoria: Why Calvin Klein's Escape for Men Still Makes Hearts Race (and Clubs Sweaty) Forget fleeting trends and gimmicky concoctions. Calvin Klein's Escape for Men isn't just a fragrance, it's a time machine fueled by pure, unadulterated nostalgia. Remember the 90s? The days of frosted tips, dial-up internet, and club nights that went down in legend? Escape was the soundtrack to those nights, a scent that painted the air with masculine mystique and undeniable magnetism. Escape opens with a burst of citrus and melon, as fresh and invigorating as a summer breeze. But don't be fooled by its initial lightness. As it dries down, the fragrance takes a seductive turn, with earthy notes of cypress, rosemary, and sandalwood weaving their magic. Imagine yourself walking through a sun-drenched forest, the air thick with the scent of ancient trees and promise. Now, picture that same forest at night, alive with the rhythm of the bass and the heat of bodies moving in unison. That's the magic of Escape. And let's not forget the women, shall we? Back in the day, Escape was a compliment magnet ( Got many numbers because of it?!). A single spritz could turn a casual glance into a lingering stare, a friendly hello into a dance floor rendezvous. It wasn't just the scent itself; it was the aura it created, a blend of confidence, intrigue, and a hint of something wild. It was the scent of a man who knew how to have a good time, who wasn't afraid to break the rules, and who left a trail of unforgettable moments in his wake. !!:: Let me b for real, the new formula isnt as potent, what 90s original is? (exception for Dior Fahrenheit, it just keeps on burning) Sure, some might call it "dated." But here's the thing: classics never truly go out of style. Escape isn't just a fragrance; it's an experience. It's the feeling of freedom, the thrill of the unknown, the confidence that comes from knowing you can own the night. So, if you're looking for a scent that will transport you back to a time of carefree nights and endless possibilities, look no further than Escape. It might not be the newest kid on the block, but it's still got the moves to make your heart race and your dance card full. Trust me, one whiff of Escape, and you'll be saying, "Alexa, play 90s dance hits!" before you know it.

CK Eternity + Escape = my childhood. During the past few years I've tested and owned many fragrances. Dolce & Gabbana's The One reminded me of this fragrance for some reason which lead me to give this a review. This is the first fragrance I've ever had that could be called a "unisex" fragrance. I think both men and women could pull this one off. Back in the day...the days when CK eternity, Davidoff cool water , Aqua di Gio, Fahrenheit dominated earth with "manly" or "Aquatic" scents. I chose this one to be a little different. I've had so many compliments wearing this I've lost count how many. Not every guy can pull this one off even though it is a lovely scent. You have to smell it since it is generally speaking.....not a scent you would associate with a big bulky, muscular man. And those men wouldn't wear this. It is still true to this day. I find this scent to be really sexy and so do girls. Today, there are many other fragrances to choose from so this one is going under the radar. Many young , new generations who has never smell this should give this masterpiece a try. I've only had bottles that are 10+ years old. So I don't know if the quality is the same as my old bottle. Back in the day...the 80s. An eau de toilet would always have good sillage and longevity. So if you like scents like this and don't want to spray/bathe in Dolce & Gabbana's the One. Give this a try. People around you WILL smell you and it will last all day....like a good cologne should. Having used an entire bottles of this and speaking 20 years later...this is a 9/10 fragrance. Worthy to be named alongside all the other greats from the 80s and 90s.