We picked out the best colognes for the office because some fragrances are simply NSFW: If you’re the guy wearing a sultry leather number to the morning check-in, then people are going to fixate on that fragrance. “He’s the guy who smells like Tom Hardy at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally,” things like that.

That’s not saying you have to play it safe. Nor is it saying you should ditch that leather number altogether. But what you sport at the office should be part of your 9-5 uniform—you can go a little wilder on nights and weekends. Of course, what's appropriate often has a lot to do with what sort of office you work at. If you regularly go to work in leather pants (lucky you), then a big, bold fragrance might not be out of place, and you could pick any of the best colognes for men without raising eyebrows. 

But we're here with some advice for the much larger group of guys who go to work in office clothes—here are six of the best colognes for the office. While none is truly “safe”, they also won’t turn heads for the wrong reasons. They’ll support your personality instead of overpowering it. (We just hope you’ve got the personality part down pat, too!)

Amouage Interlude

Amouage Interlude$340

Amazon

Here's a leather fragrance that feels comforting and approachable as opposed to sexy and inappropriate. But it's still leather: It transitions well into evening or weekends, too.

Costume National Scent Intense

CoSTUME NATIONAL Scent Intense$150

Amazon

No one has ever smelled something like the spicy, woody Scent Intense—which is less intense than its name implies, and more universally crowd pleasing. You want to set a great first impression, while also keeping things strictly professional. 

Ralph Lauren Polo Cologne Intense

Ralph Lauren Polo Cologne Intense$98

Sephora

A classic, uplifting fougère that smells like you're fresh from the barbershop and will make you exactly zero workplace enemies. 

Byredo De Los Santos

Byredo De Los Santos$196

Nordstrom

Musky, powdery, ambrous, and fresh. This one's classic and smells simply “really good” without being too “mass market” (so that you don’t smell like 10 other guys in the office). Basically, if you want your work friends to like your scent, even if they’re too shy to ask about it. 

Gabar No. II Ground

Gabar No. II Ground$131

Gabar

This peppery, woody number is one to get for "heard about it first" cred. If anyone of your office-mates ask, you'll get to say "you have to order it from the UK."

Tom Ford Métallique

Tom Ford Métallique$165

Sephora

A floral-spicy-vanilla surprise, Métallique feels almost high-tech: it's the perfect thing for rising and grinding, for early mornings in a crisp shirt. 

Read More15 Best Colognes on the Planet Right Now

Can't tell your EDPs from your EDTs? Not quite sure what a “vetiver” is? Here's how to navigate the booming men's fragrance market—and walk away with a scent that feels uniquely your own.

By Adam Hurly



Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQColognes and FragrancesOffice Style