Classic

Found this first in '86 in my retail company's fragrance-testing office. Loved it straight off and found that it worked well with my skin type. The romance lasted several years, with the occasional side trip - Kouros, Gucci Homme, etc.- but I'd always come back to Van Gils. Then, suddenly it was off the shelves in the UK. I was distraught. After a long period of mourning, I found it was still available in Holland - but no-one shipped abroad, and the trip to Holland rather built up the price! Eventually, only three or four years ago, I rediscovered it yet again online and stocked up. It still smells good - on me and to me and, happily, the majority of people who get near enough to sniff me think the same. Van Gils Classic and I were clearly just meant for each other.

When VG Classic was first launched in the 80's,I was working in Selfridges,Oxford St. for a rival fragrance company (Fred Hayman),but after drenching myself in it constantly every day,and adoring it.I even asked the distributing company if I could work for them,they said no,(luckily Fred didn't get to know,as he was in Hollywood...lol). Alas,I never got to work for Van Gils.I could have done so much for them. VG Classic to me is like SEX in a bottle.I always get compliments whenever I wear it.The sillage is amazing and longevity is unbelievable. I continue to replace my precious bottles,as I love this fragrance so much,even though it's almost impossible to find these days.

Slap this on while 'Soul Bossa Nova' spins in the background ("I put the 'ger' in swinger, baby!" -Austin Powers). Good, heady, masculine stuff. Real man's wear. Straight khaki Chinos, white Polo, deck shoes. (Channeling my Walter Mitty rendition of Sean Connery - whipping into the club, looking for a bored valet to park my Aston Martin...er, Toyota Camry). Came out in '88? Wears more like '68. Definitely get the Antaeus spin straight from the spritzer. Drydown has a Kouros waft. I'm 63 and it's, "Just my bag, baby!" If you're under 45, maybe not so much. By today's standards it's definitely retro (in the best way!).

To me this is one of the best ever. It has a quality that is hard to describe, it is there with high quality ingredients and is wonderfully blended. It ́s manly, it ́s cosy and warm, it has the right projection, never cloying, never sharp. Still possible to get at a good price. Do not confuse this with Strictly for men, which is not in the same league.

A gorgeous retro powerhouse. A lovely woody, spicy, floral masculine scent with a powerful patchouli. Staying power and projection top notch. In the same family as Antaeus, Givenchy Gentleman and Salvador Dali Pour Homme. Be careful about over application - it's potent - but has tons of character and is so well blended. Just great!