Halston Z14 (for men)

Chat Lunatique

I must admit that I have always harbored a secret fondness of too-much-cologne guy. He is the man whose grooming is immaculate, but wears a cheap suit. He aspires to gentility. And he IS, invariably, a gentlemen -- not of the well-heeled, schooled-in-etiquette variety, but because he naturally considers others. Too-much-cologne guy dresses up each morning to be his personal best, and too much cologne is an integral part of his ritual. He may not know that less is more; he may love the way he smells. Either way, it has always struck me as endearing.

For me, too-much-cologne guy was Mr. Del Rio, the kind, perfectly-combed children's shoe store owner;
He was the white-suit-wearing Italian gentleman on a very full train trip when I was eight, who let me rest my feet on his lap so that I could nap;
He was the Swiss hotel concierge with the golden jewelry, who lowered me in the dumb waiter each night into the hotel kitchen, for a slice of chocolate cake;
Sometimes, he was my father.

Too-much-cologne guy, you prefer Halston Z-14, don't you?

gucci

this perfume was very popular in the 90's i still love it it's very manly that's what i love

darlingbuds

Mmmmmm! I love everything about this fragrance. From its bad-boy associations right down to its cute-as-a-button, dark brown blood-cell shaped bottle. I agree with Knightz that it's probably nicer to wear during the colder season.

Z-14 starts out bold and fresh -- slides right across the stage on one knee singing "Mammy!". Although the top notes listed say bergamot and lemon, those citruses simply add a crispness to the main event, which to me is the cypress.

As it calms down, Z-14 squeezes behind the wheel of the Knight Rider car (KITT?)and cruises along in leathery lasciviousness. Yeah, there are flowers here, but they're the flowers he seduced you with, now tossed into the backseat as. . . . well, I'll spare you the raunchy details. The leather-benzoin ride lasts and lasts until the almost tar-like finish. A good tar -- like Grandpa's Pine Tar soap(marvelous soap!)

Say what you will about its datedness, but I would trample my own mother to get to any guy wearing this within 50 miles of me. It's damned sexy, and as far as I'm concerned, irresistable. I sometimes wear this to bed at night after a shower to maybe provoke some racy dreaming.

Guys: wear it! Call me! ;)

Stefan

Compare to Valentino Vendetta. The same thing basically, but the VV is actually sweeter and not as harsh of the senses thoughout the day.

fredward

This is a dark, spicy, musky scent that I never liked too much. Very popular when I was growing up. This must have been created with cigarette smoke in mind because a lot of guys used to smoke back then and the two smells seem to go hand in hand. Not classy.

knightz

I was on the fence about Halston Z-14, and maybe even it's brother Halston 1-12. It seemed I once liked 1-12 better, though. I tried both of them for the first time early this year, when the Spring was starting to warm up into Summer. At that time, the Z-14 smelled just as heavy as it was sour to me. I put it aside, wrist-testing it many times throughout the summer, it always seemed too sour.

Today the weather outside is fully into Fall, cool days, cooler nights, and there have even been a few brief, light snowfalls. I tried the Halston Z-14 again several times this week and, to my complete surprise, it was nice and sweet, spicy, and has some nicely aggressive florals. I'm smelling it now on my wrist and it's almost approaching gourmand. The lightest note of benzoin is detectable. As the dry down softens, the florals fade in and out just as the spices do. What I once thought smelled like cough medicine now bears it's true colors for the Fall Season. A beautiful and complex blend of notes, each and every note contributing to every other note in some way. I love it.

I am amazed at the reversal of senses, based just on the season. I didn't know why I couldn't like a scent that has been around for almost 35 years. No other cologne has ever smelled so different, to me, depending only on the outside temperature. Something else that surprises me is that I liked Halston 1-12 more than Z-14 in the Spring/Summer, and now it's 1-12 that doesn't agree with me this season. These are not only 'try before you buy' scents, but ones that should be tried in different seasons.

A very nice, cool/cold weather scent, excellent for the holidays. Above average projection and average longevity. I will get much use out of this now, if it proves as good through the Winter as it is in the Fall.

ThePerceiver

I know why it is nearly 35 years old and still around...it is a classic yet intriguing scent.

However, I would not use it as an 'everyday' or 'casual' type cologne. It is more special than that.

I should add that, even though I disagree, my girlfriend says I smell like an 'old man' when wearing it.

Aiona

My mother collects minis, and she had about 3 minis of Halston Z-14. So I appropriated one. It would be a shame to let this sit in a bottle unopened because it really does smell nice. It smells like celery seed to me, even though I see no celery seed in the notes listed above. It's distinctive. Not a cool aquatic. Not really a gourmand, despite the celery seed. Just a nice greenish scent.

LuvWarrior

Fond memories of 1-12 & Z-14. My first adult job in 1978 (right out of high school) was at a Hudson's dept. store and I purchased both of them. I used to wear both at the same time. I haven't smelled or worn this fragrance since the mid '90s, but remember it as a nice masculine scent, esp. mixed together.