The Italian For Men

The Italian is Perfume Parlour's affordable interpretation of Prada Amber Pour Homme, the elegant 2006 amber-fougere built on four accords - cologne, amber, fougere and suede. It opens clean and bright with a bergamot-and-mandarin cologne accord, before settling into the heart that defines it: a soft amber and fougere warmth with geranium, vanilla, tonka bean and vetiver, the 'just-showered with high-quality European bar soap' character reviewers love. The base is a delicate suede laced with saffron, sandalwood and labdanum - leather rendered soft and powdery rather than animalic. The original is praised for its soapy elegance and strong 7-10 hour longevity; as a budget dupe this version keeps the clean amber-suede signature intact but lands a little flatter and simpler, with the refined, polished quality of the Prada softened. A versatile, sophisticated amber-fougere for the office, formal wear, dates and daily use across the cooler months and spring.