Calvin Klein has launched a range of successful fragrances for both men and women – but one of their old-school gems is Obsession For Men.
Since its introduction, this fragrance has been a top seller and still has a big following, decades after its release. However, it’s not always the easiest to get your hands on.
So, today, I will be covering the top dupes of this classic CK cologne
If that’s what you’re looking for, then read till the end.
What Does CK Obsession For Men Smell Like?
Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein was launched in 1986. This cologne by Robert Slattery was a successor of the original Obsession for women.
The men’s version of Obsession proved that it was no less than its female counterpart, as it had a high-quality fragrance with a wonderfully woody and aromatic fragrance.
Right off the bottle, you are greeted by fresh, bright citruses, lavender, and a bunch of spices.
There is an endearing warmth and subtle sweetness, thanks to the cinnamon, that makes it instantly likable.
As it progresses, the tangy citruses subdue and the floral notes start to become more apparent. The mix of myrrh, pine tree, and nutmeg fused with the flowers create an interesting aroma.
The dry down keeps getting warmer as the scent becomes woodier. You are engulfed in warm notes of amber, musk, and patchouli along with the woods.
Here is a breakdown of all the accords present in this cologne:
Top Notes: Cinnamon, Lavender, Coriander, Mandarin Orange, Lime, Bergamot, and Grapefruit
Middle Notes: Myrrh, Nutmeg, Carnation, Brazilian Rosewood, Pine Tree, Sage, Jasmine, and Red Berries
Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Patchouli, and Vetiver
Overall, it’s a cozy, sensual cologne that wraps you up in the warmth of woodsy notes, amber, florals, and spices – a classic scent, this is impossible to dislike.
It has a decent projection, especially during the first few hours, and lasts around 6 to 7 hours.
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What Colognes Smell Similar To CK Obsession For Men?
Now that you know the basics about CK Obsession for men, you will be able to understand how its clones compare with the characteristics and notes profile.
Like most popular colognes, this CK fragrance also resulted in many dupes over the years, including some scents which were inspired by this aroma.
However, naturally, not all of them were up to the mark. So, after thorough research and testing, I narrowed down the best dupes or alternative scents for CK obsession for men.
Here is my list of the colognes that smell the closest to Obsession For Men by Calvin Klein:
Passion for Men by Elizabeth Taylor
Top Notes: Lavender, Fruity Notes, Bergamot, Neroli, Orange, Galbanum, and Lemon
Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Carnation, Sandalwood, Nutmeg, Patchouli, Cedar, Balsam Fir, Jasmine, and Geranium
Base Notes: Vanilla, Styrax, Benzoin, Tonka Bean, Oakmoss, Amber, Musk, and Vetiver
The first cologne on the list was released in the late 1980s, and it is Passion for Men by Elizabeth Taylor.
This nostalgia-inducing cologne is warm, spicy, woody, and ambery – all things that make it very, very similar to CK Obsession.
Passion kicks off with prominent lavender, citrus notes, cinnamon, and spices. It’s safe to say that this fragrance captures and recreates the style and scent of Obsession really well.
The core of the scent has a delicious blend of light floral notes with spices and woodsy notes.
The dry down is creamy, warm, and cozy. You get a scent of sweet vanilla and woodsy bases.
Despite the similarities, Passion feels like a slightly sweeter and fruitier copy of Obsession. So, if that’s what you want then you can give it a try. It is very inexpensive, lasts for a very long time, and projects well.
When to Wear
Passion for Men is a great choice for winter, fall, and spring. Its coziness makes it apt for the cooler seasons, and I would recommend avoiding wearing it during summer.
You can wear it to any sort of casual or formal event, it’s quite wearable.
Why Should You Buy
- Close dupe of CK Obsession.
- Fruitier alternative.
- Affordable price.
- Impressive longevity.
- Good projection.
- Great value for the price.
Lagerfeld Classic by Karl Lagerfeld
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Tarragon, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Lemon, and Green Notes
Middle Notes: Tobacco, Sandalwood, Orris Root, Patchouli, Rose, Cedar, and Jasmine
Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla, Musk, Oakmoss, and Tonka Bean
The next cologne is Lagerfeld Classic by Karl Lagerfeld, which launched in the 1970s. So perhaps, this is a scent that inspired Obsession instead of the other way around.
Lagerfeld Classic is an oriental, classic woodsy cologne created by Ron Winnegrad. It has a clean, masculine aroma that feels evergreen – it is never going out of style.
The opening act features citruses, green notes, and strong aldehydes. As it progresses, the heart reveals dominating woody notes, accompanied by smokey tobacco and aromatic florals.
The dry down is very warm and has the woodsy notes consistently present.
You also get the aroma of amber, musk, oakmoss, and sweet vanilla filling the air.
It is a potent, sexy scent that men enjoyed back in the day, and some still seek. It’s very close to Obsession and sort of more masculine than the latter.
It lasts super long, almost the entire day, and has an excellent projection, especially in the beginning. You can also get it at a reasonable price, so it’s an absolute vintage legend.
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When to Wear
Lagerfeld Classic is quite versatile, as it can be worn all year round. However, you might want to lay off this one when it’s really hot outside. It’s excellent for formal and professional occasions. You can also wear it on date nights.
Why Should You Buy
- Very close scent to CK Obsession.
- More masculine aroma.
- Inexpensive cologne.
- Very long-lasting.
- Broad projection.
- Great value for the price.
Dark Obsession by Calvin Klein
Top Notes: Guarana, Wormwood, and Green Mandarin
Middle Notes: Balsam Fir, Clary Sage, and Vetiver
Base Notes: Madagascar Vanilla, Suede, and Labdanum
Dark Obsession by Calvin Klein is a flanker of Obsession for men and it was launched in 2013.
This flanker is a modern rendition of the original Obsession for men and presents a darker, more intense aroma that is very close to its predecessor.
Dark Obsession starts off with a woody scent mixed with some green and nutty notes. The core is sort of balsamic and has a rich blend of spicy, woody notes.
The base is creamy and rich with a touch of sweetness. The vanilla blends well with the labdanum and suede, creating a dark, mysterious, and masculine aroma.
Dark Obsession has decent projection and lasts for a really long time. Overall, it’s a great flanker and a really good alternative to Obsession.
When to Wear
Dark Obsession is ideal for the cooler seasons, so you can maximize its use in winter and fall. It’s great for nighttime events, whether it’s a fancy formal party or a date night.
Why Should You Buy
- Good flanker of the original CK Obsession.
- Great overall aroma.
- Impressive longevity.
Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle
Top Notes: Lavender, Tangerine, and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Cinnamon and Cloves
Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, Sandalwood, Guaiac Wood, and Cedar
The next cologne was launched in 2000 and has an almost identical aroma to CK Obsession, it’s Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle.
Musc Ravageur was created by Maurice Roucel and has a woody, ambery, musky aroma.
The opening has a mix of citruses and lavender, much like Obsession. However, spices are not prominent.
As it progresses, cinnamon takes over and some spices are also detectable. The eventual dry-down is very musky, woody, and ambery. You get a lot of vanilla, which gives the powdery cologne a sense of creaminess.
Overall, it’s a rich, high-quality fragrance with excellent performance. However, it’s quite expensive, so you can try it if the price isn’t an issue for you.
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When to Wear
Musc Ravageur is ideal for winter, and it gets overwhelming during the warmer seasons. It’s best suited for formal events, fancy parties, and professional settings.
Why Should You Buy
- Close scent to CK Obsession.
- High-quality cologne.
- Very long-lasting.
- Great projection.
Meharées by L’Erbolario
Top Notes: Cinnamon, Orange, Bergamot, and Rose
Middle Notes: Sandalwood, Guaiac Wood, Cedar, and Patchouli
Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla, and Musk
Last but not least, we have Meharées by L’Erbolario. This cologne is also very close to CK Obsession, but I feel as though it has even more in common with Musc Ravageur.
Meharées has a sweeter opening with citrus notes, cinnamon, and a touch of rose.
The core of the scent is very woody and warm, creating a sensual and masculine scent.
The closing is consistently warm but has newer notes that make the cologne more reminiscent of Obsession. The creamy vanilla, amber, and musk create the base grounding and cozy.
Meharées lasts for a very long time and has a decent projection, it also comes at a reasonable price so it’s a good alternative to CK Obsession.
When to Wear
Meharées can be worn in winter, fall, and to some extent during spring as well. I wouldn’t recommend wearing it during summer. It’s great for both day and nighttime occasions.
Why Should You Buy
- Close scent to CK Obsession.
- Affordable cologne.
- Long-lasting scent.
- Good value for the price.
Conclusion
When it comes to vintage colognes, getting your hands on a similar alternative can get really difficult.
CK Obsession for men is one of those colognes with an excellent classic aroma that’s difficult to recreate.
However, the colognes mentioned in this article all have replicated a scent that is very close to that of Obsession for men. Some are stronger, while others are milder – but they are all of a similar style and overall aroma.
So, let me know which one you go for and which cologne I should cover next.
