My favourite men’s fragrances ideal for Father’s Day gifts

With Father’s Day 2025 just around the corner, if you’re still on the hunt for one of the top gifts for men to spoil him with this year, a fragrance is always a safe bet. As a Beauty Editor for OK! and The Mirror, I’ve sampled plenty of scents over the years, including new releases, and have picked a selection that I believe offer the best value for money (and the best smell too). Whether the dad in your life favours robust and intense aromas or lighter, fresher scents, or even if you aren’t quite sure what his dream fragrance is, I don’t think you can go wrong with the selection below.

From Hugo Boss to Dolce&Gabbana to Davidoff and Barbour, below are some of my favourite men’s fragrances – and they’re all available to purchase in time for Father’s Day (which falls on June 15 this year). 

Dolce&Gabbana truly embraces its Mediterranean roots with this seductive scent. It’s said to be inspired by the Sicilian tradition of adding a twist of lemon to your daily espresso as you sit in a sun-drenched town square watching the world pass by, and I can certainly envision that when I smell it.

I think it balances rich and spicy coffee notes with zesty citrus and earthy patchouli. At £83 from Dolce&Gabbana, yes, it’s on the pricier side, but as it’s an Eau de Parfum, it has a much stronger scent than a regular perfume and will last for longer (meaning you’ll go through less). 

However, right now you can get it even cheaper from Debenhams, where the retailer has reduced it to £66.40 from £83.

This fragrance is a great option if you want to take advantage of a sale right now. It’s currently available for £49.60 for 50ml from Debenhams (down from the usual price of £62).

This parfum offers a fresh take on Davidoff’s signature oceanic notes, introducing an exotic twist with elements of lavandin and rose oxide, underpinned by a rich oud base. Despite the floral-sounding ingredients, this is a reinterpretation of the “fougère” fragrance family, traditionally masculine scents, resulting in a scent full of character.

I’ve found the Hugo Boss fragrance available for £63.07 for 50ml from Sephora (down from the usual price of £77).

In my experience, the BOSS Bottled perfumes are reliable choices if you’re uncertain about the recipient’s specific scent preferences. As the name suggests, this version is the most potent and enduring of the range, boasting a high concentration of its key notes of leather, incense, patchouli and cedarwood.

I think it’s a rich, warm fragrance with universal appeal, guaranteed to please.

This offering from Parisian fashion house Cerruti 1881 has a Da Vinci Code-esque aesthetic, requiring a small puzzle to be solved to open it (the ‘V’ must align with the ‘1881’ to unlock the lid). Inside, you’ll find an invigorating and youthful scent, featuring hints of ginger, apple, sesame and saffron.

The fragrance is available from The Perfume Shop for £64.

Ever wondered what the scent of arguably the greatest footballer of all time might be? According to his new fragrance, it’s a blend of fresh cardamom, wild cypress, leather (perhaps a nod to football boots?) and vanilla bean. Much like the man himself, it’s subtle and understated, making it a perfect addition to your gym bag or an everyday spritz.

Available for £55 for 100ml from The Fragrance Shop.

This fragrance takes inspiration from Barbour’s classic country gent taking a brisk walk along the windswept Northumberland coast. It features refreshing notes of bergamot, pink pepper and clary sage to clear the mind, combined with sea-sprayed marine accords, washed-up sandalwood and a comforting warmth from tonka.

Available for £76 for 100ml from Mainline Menswear. 

Priced from £85 for 50ml at Boots, if you’re shopping for a father with luxurious tastes, this new Rabanne fragrance could be just the ticket. While an actual gold bar might be out of reach, this scent is the next best thing.

Sensual, confident and opulent, it centres around vanilla – a rare find in men’s scents – which lends it a warm decadence. Paired with zingy bergamot and spicy cardamom, it’s a confidence boost with every spritz.

Issey Mayake is unrivalled when it comes to aquatic fragrances, and this latest intense version draws inspiration from the enigmatic depths of the ocean. The scent opens with a jolt of Sichuan pepper, akin to a splash of water on your face, which is beautifully balanced by refreshing notes of lemon and balsam fir, underpinned by a base of cedarwood.

It’s essentially refined freshness encapsulated in a bottle. The fragrance is available from Boots for £108.