Style

GORGEOUS! It’s funny how some of the men’s fashions of the 1980s such as the ‘mullet’ haircut with, or without, ‘Magnum P.I.’ moustache; white socks, and latterly, those generous ‘MC Hammer’ baggy pants, exist now as comical, retro, museum pieces of sorts that, whilst iconic, might constitute a wanton case of ‘bad choice’ if sported on a first date today unless, perhaps, you are Joe Dirt. I say ‘funny’, ironically, as parallel to the wonderful costume charades of the 80s was the emergence of some of the most remarkable, sumptuous, and important ‘masculines’ in perfume’s history that still stand head-and-shoulders above most recent fragrances. The list is endless here, though whether the creation was an ‘aromatic fougere’ or a ‘leather-chypre’, nearly all were characterised with the sort of pugilistic structure and impact associated with Mike Tyson! So it is with ‘Style’: a gorgeous, exquisitely made, ‘woody/leather/oriental’ creation that transported me back to the 1980s: an experience I savoured as if witnessing a 5-star, 2012 revival of a David Mamet play: the language and structure most certainly of its time, but still hugely relevant; gripping, enjoyable, and somehow uplifting. Stylistically, I was immediately reminded me of that seductive smoky, leathery, tarry chord so dominant in Trussardi’s definitive, vintage, ‘Uomo’. However, ‘Style’ manages to give new life to the former Italian operatic chypre theme by adding a sweeter, sandalwood element that forced me to consider the perfume as an outcome in which the trajectory of Oscar de la Renta’s, robust, ‘Pour Lui’, describes a collision course towards Guerlain’s masterly, ‘Heritage’. However, rather than result in scattered chemical wreckage, ‘Style’ instead emerges as a creation of meticulous, highest quality craftsmanship and serenades its luscious warm opening accord with all the opulence and elegance associated with confidently swaggering along Piccadilly towards a night out at The Ritz. Its crowning achievement, however, is its capacity to soften during the dry-down thus allowing its delectable gentle inner muskiness to unfold. So, Joe Dirt notwithstanding, whilst forms of 1980s raiment should perhaps be reserved for purposes of fancy-dress, 'Style' in this author's estimation might constitute the perfect accompaniment for those posh Black Tie events and thoroughly recommended for first dates! One of the very best from this magnificent house. 8-10

This is what Tom Ford for Men wants to be. Style is a very classic men’s woody spicy fragrance with a stonking sandalwood base, the authentic stuff, or at least it smells authentic. Some people have mentioned it smells like something from the 80s but I think you need to go back further in time to see such splendid dinosaurs walking the Earth. The sandalwood greets the wearer with its unmistakeable signature about 1 hour into the wear. The fragrance opens with a lovely, bright, juicy lemon note. Then a barbershop accord follows with lavender, nutmeg working alongside a slightly warm woody spicy accord of patchouli and cinnamon. A subtle cardamom note provides shimmer to the mid. In the background there is something beautifully animalic, perhaps castoreum. And gradually the whole thing gives into the wonderful sandalwood base. Like all good perfumes, it Begins brash and gradually softens and becomes more inviting. Well done Micallef.

Another gorgeous spice wood masculine Micallef creation which harkens back to the vintage days of spicy and bold masculine colognes. This perfume blends in notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon, jasmine, lily of the valley, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, incense and musk to create a juice of pronounced sillage, projection and longevity that just radiates on male skin. This is a bold and beautiful creation that requires a certain sass to carry off and will appeal to men with strong unafraid personalities. Enjoy!

This, off my skin, is an enormous incense bomb for about a hour or so. It mellows into a fantastic mix of incense, leather, and woods with just a hint of spice. It is gentlemanly for sure. I don't think this is a safe blind buy so try before you buy. I really like it and think this would be awesome during the fall and winter. More of a special occasion or date juice and not something I would wear to the office. Enjoy!

This one is classic, mature, super spicy, woody based, and strooong! I like the pungent spices blend that give you dry effect, and maybe little bit offensive in first spray. But you should wait 15-30 seconds until it’s evaporate and blends with your skin. Macho and linger! I like their style of bottle but I really don’t like this one is bedazzled with purple stone.