The idea that fragrance should be split into strict masculine and feminine camps is fading fast, and honestly it was always a marketing convenience more than a rule. Scent sits on skin, not on gender, and some of the most compelling perfumes of recent years have been designed from the outset to be shared. A great unisex fragrance is simply one built around notes that flatter almost everyone: soft woods, clean musks, bright citrus or warm, cosy accords that sidestep the obvious clichés of pink florals or aggressive aquatics. The category has quietly become one of the most creative corners of modern perfumery.
For this edit we have chosen six unisex fragrances that span both the price spectrum and the mood spectrum, from a breezy coastal cologne you can spray without thinking to a radiant modern powerhouse that turns heads. Each is real, widely stocked and genuinely versatile, and we have taken care to describe honestly how each one wears rather than leaning on hype. Whether you are buying for yourself or hunting for a safe but stylish gift, there should be something here to suit, and several would make an easy present precisely because they suit so many people.
What to look for in a unisex perfume
Balance is everything. The best shared scents avoid leaning too hard in any one direction, so look for blends built on woods, musk, citrus or aromatic herbs, which tend to read cleanly on a wide range of people and skin chemistries. Consider the occasion too: fresh, mineral and citrus scents are ideal for daytime, work and warm weather, while sweeter, woodier and spicier compositions come into their own in the evening and colder months. Matching the fragrance to when you will actually wear it matters as much as the notes themselves.
Longevity and projection also matter more than you might expect with shared fragrances, because you may be wearing them from morning to night. Colognes tend to be brighter but shorter-lived, while eau de parfum concentrations last longer and sit closer to the skin. Test on your own skin rather than a paper strip, wait for the dry-down before deciding, and remember that potent modern scents need only a spray or two. If you like the sound of the woodier options here, our guide to woody perfumes worth trying digs deeper into that family and pairs well with this list.
One last thing worth saying: do not be swayed by the label on the box. Plenty of fragrances marketed to one gender wear beautifully on anyone, and some of the best-loved shared scents were never officially designated unisex at all. The category is really just a state of mind, an invitation to choose by how a fragrance smells on your own skin rather than by which aisle it happens to sit in. Approach it with curiosity, keep an open nose, and you may be surprised by what suits you. Borrowing a partner’s or a friend’s fragrance is often how people stumble into their favourite shared scent in the first place, so there is much to be said for trying whatever crosses your path.
1. Le Labo Santal 33
If any fragrance defines the modern unisex movement, it is this one. Santal 33 is built around creamy sandalwood and cedar with a leathery, faintly smoky edge, and it has become genuinely iconic, recognisable on a passer-by within seconds. It manages to be distinctive without shouting, which is a rare and clever balance, and it has the kind of moreish, addictive quality that turns first-time wearers into long-term devotees.
Why it made the six: the reference point for contemporary shared scent, warm and characterful on anyone.
Price: Splurge, from Liberty London and Le Labo.
The Sixated take: ubiquitous for a reason; try before you commit in case you want something less recognisable.
2. Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club
Jazz Club is like being wrapped in a warm evening: rum, tobacco leaf, vanilla and a little pink pepper come together into something cosy and slightly boozy. It leans a touch sweeter and warmer, which makes it a brilliant autumn and winter option, and it flatters a huge range of people without ever tipping into cloying. Part of the Replica line’s charm is how vividly it conjures a scene, and this one nails the hum of a dimly lit bar.
Why it made the six: comforting, moreish and easy to love, with excellent value for a niche-feeling scent.
Price: Mid-range, from John Lewis and department stores.
The Sixated take: the perfect fireside fragrance for cold evenings in.
3. Byredo Gypsy Water
For a cleaner, more outdoorsy mood, Gypsy Water pairs bright bergamot and lemon with pine needle, incense and a soft sandalwood base. The effect is fresh and woody at once, a little like a walk through a sunlit forest after rain. It is understated and refined, settling into a gentle, skin-close dry-down that feels effortlessly modern and works just as well in July as in December.
Why it made the six: genuinely all-season and effortlessly shareable, with an elegant woody finish.
Price: Splurge, from Selfridges and Byredo.
The Sixated take: subtle and grown-up; do not expect enormous projection.
4. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
Few scents feel as breezy as this. Mineral sea salt and earthy sage evoke a windswept coastline, and the whole thing is light, clean and instantly likeable. It is one of the easiest fragrances to wear every day, and it layers well with other Jo Malone colognes if you want to build something a little more personal. The simplicity is the point, and it is what has made it such an enduring favourite.
Why it made the six: universally flattering and fuss-free, a modern classic for daytime.
Price: Mid-range, from Jo Malone London.
The Sixated take: a lovely first foray into shared fragrance; refresh through the day as colognes fade faster.
5. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
This is the modern powerhouse of the list. Saffron, jasmine, cedar and ambergris create a radiant, sweet-woody signature with remarkable projection and a scent trail that lingers for hours. It is striking and unmistakable, and it reads much the same impressive way on everyone, which is precisely why it became a genuine phenomenon and spawned countless imitators. A little restraint is essential, as its strength is both its appeal and its risk.
Why it made the six: a genuinely distinctive statement scent that works across genders.
Price: Splurge, from Harrods and selected stockists.
The Sixated take: less is very much more; one light spray is usually enough.
6. CK One by Calvin Klein
The fragrance that arguably started the mainstream unisex conversation back in the nineties is still going strong. CK One is a bright, clean blend of citrus, green tea and soft musk, and it remains supremely wearable and remarkably affordable. It is not complicated, but it is fresh, cheerful and reliable, which is exactly what many people want day to day, and its low price means you can spray it with abandon.
Why it made the six: an accessible, iconic option that proves shared scent need not be expensive.
Price: Budget, from Boots and most pharmacies.
The Sixated take: a brilliant everyday and gym bag scent that you can use freely.
Whichever direction you lean, the joy of unisex fragrance is the freedom to ignore the labels entirely and choose what genuinely suits your skin, your mood and your day. The smartest approach is to sample a few across different styles, wear each for a full day, and notice which one you keep reaching for. If you want more inspiration, our round-ups of everyday fragrances and affordable perfumes are natural next reads for building a versatile scent wardrobe, and our guide on ways to make perfume last longer will help you get the most from whatever you choose.