How Many Frags Should a Guy Have?

How Many Frags Should a Guy Have?

Alright guys, I’m not going to post this as another basic poll, been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Instead, I want to share my take on a question that pops up all the time… and I’d love to hear what you guys think too. A lot of beginners wonder about this, and it’s good for us seasoned sniffers to step in and give some real-world perspective. So here’s my response, my two “scents,” if you will:

The real answer? “As many as you like.” Simple. Honest. True. But (and you knew a ‘but’ was coming) there are a few caveats.

1) Be Responsible…

• Don’t go into debt.

• Don’t spiral into addiction.

• Don’t take out a second mortgage because you “needed” another blue fragrance.

We’re adults. We act like it… mostly. And if you feel yourself slipping, remember: you’ve got a whole support group right here. We’ll talk you off the ledge (or at least help you find a cheaper dupe). 

2) Be Conscientious…

• You don’t need 12 backup bottles.

• You don’t need every batch variation like you’re running a fragrance museum.

• You don’t need 300ml of something you wear twice a year.

Enjoy what you have. Use your bottles. Let the journey be fun, not stressful!

3) Be Considerate

• Share your knowledge.

• Share your wins, your fails, your “I blind-bought this and now my wife thinks I smell like a lemon-scented sock.”

The best part of this hobby is the shared experience.

At the end of the day, the fragrance world is a journey. Your journey. So enjoy it; don’t rush it, compete in it, or go broke in it! And for the guys who can’t (or won’t) follow these guidelines: Start simple. Stick with two scents: one everyday banger and one fancy frag for date nights and special occasions. Trust me… that setup has saved many a wallet.

What say you, guys? How do you approach this whole “How many fragrances should I own?” debate? Do you find a larger collection enhances the journey, or does keeping it tight and curated make the hobby more enjoyable? And for those of you who’ve been at this for a while, what advice would you give the newcomers who are just starting to build their lineup? And hey, if you disagree with me completely, that’s cool too. There’s always that one guy who swears the correct number of bottles is “however many shelves IKEA can hold before collapsing.” Love to hear from ya’!