Sander for Men by Jil Sander

Spraying Sander for Men brings a melancholy to me, perhaps even sadness. I first encountered it during a turbulent period of my life filled with hard changes, when I realized I would never be the same. At first, I hesitated. A friend gifted me a bottle she liked, and with my head full of fog back then, I barely noticed, not even in Milan on a December morning. I just sniffed a spritz on my hand to thank the blonde standing there, unsure if I’d instantly fall in love. One Friday night, after showering, I tried it before going out partying with friends where I used to lose myself to avoid thinking. I remember there were several compliments about my scent. Since then, Jil has been a constant, discreet companion, probably one of the few fragrances that stayed close without causing jealousy drama, but rather bringing well-being to others. Over time, I dove deeper into the Jil world, completing the EDT with gel, deodorant, and aftershave lotion—a pleasant set to convey relaxation. Freshness and cleanliness were key, with a woody base adding the necessary masculine vibe after a fresh, spicy opening with lots of mint, cinnamon, and that bitter green ivy note. Although the spices add warmth, the cool tone was always present, floating with a slight sweetness. Testing the current version, I subjectively feel it has dramatically lost its identity and longevity; the quality isn’t what it used to be, but maybe someday someone will bring back this fragrance in its original quality and realize how beautiful it was. I’ll stick with a comment from a friend at a fashion store: ‘Darling, you smell great today. I need to know what it is.’

Young and spicy wood, nothing to get crazy about. Like Burberry Touch without violets, like Angel Schlesser spicier, green, and anemic 212, type Rochas Aquaman without grapefruit, very similar to the Truth by Calvin Klein, that 1999 office cologne: crystal clear, spicy, peppery, and woody. Sander for Men is a super watery formula; if you’re lucky, you’ll smell a banana leaf (maybe ivy), a mint/pepper mix like Cristasol, then a green-spongy touch with ivy and transparent sweetness from cardamom, cedar, and cypress. At the time, it was modern, cosmopolitan, and minimalist. Today, any young guy will find it old-man-ish. For me, raised on ads of flawless, poreless heartthrobs who, after ten hours in the office, still had no bad odor, it smells like generic men’s hygiene lotions from twenty years ago. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a follower of that 1999 watery minimalist vibe. If that style turns you on, it’s a perfect blind buy. P.S.: Longevity and sillage are abysmal.

I bought it because of the good reviews on the English Fragrantica site, and it wasn’t what I expected. It’s not bad, but it reminded me of Burberry Touch, with that baby-diaper or wet-wipe scent I don’t like. It has a touch of cedar and maybe ivy, but the spices, mint, tobacco, and cypress left me wanting. If you like that type of fragrance that isn’t fresh, oriental, citrusy, fougère, or aromatic, but has a subtle wood base, go ahead. Scent 6, Longevity 7, Projection 6, Price 10.