Musky Memories: Exploring Vintage Men's Cologne Ads of the 1960s and 1970s

The fantasy world of the 1960s had an irresistible allure featuring charming, globetrotting spies that captured the imagination of an entire generation.

Reflecting this gentle trend, the decade's cologne industry ingeniously incorporated fragrances with exotic scents, while advertising campaigns highlighted sophistication and elegance.

On the other hand, the 1970s emerged as a transformative era, featuring earthy fashion statements like brown, denim, corduroy, and a celebration of natural masculinity, with body hair being adopted as a symbol of strong appeal.

So it's no surprise that men's fragrances during this period exuded an alluring muskiness, representing the essence of unapologetic masculinity. Here we have collected the most popular vintage men's cologne advertisements from the 1960s and 1970s.

As we delve into the world of vintage cologne advertisements, a captivating narrative unfolds that celebrates the evolution of men's grooming habits and how they have reflected the social changes of their respective eras.

Advertising campaigns of the 1960s portrayed the men as sophisticated gentlemen, evoking images of cosmopolitan charm and sophistication.

In contrast, advertisements of the 1970s had a cheeky and humorous tone, enjoying a celebration of natural masculinity and individuality.

An aromatic journey through these decades paints a vivid picture of how cologne has served as a symbol of cultural expression.

brute

An eyepatch always makes a man look tough, even if it's a medallion from a drugstore aftershave bottle. Brut, one of the most famous people of the time, used the name

Mandom

Charles Bronson exposed this pungent smell. In 1976, it didn't get more manly than Bronson – mustache, pipe, and all.

This is cricket

The complex, slow game of cricket does not seem to be the dirtiest game. Now, Oakland Raiders, they might have made a nice, tough body spray from the 1970s.

A type of animal

As the ad says, "It's only for the man who gets the most out of life, the glory from leading – who plays to win, no matter what the game." The bottle looks like a cross of a barbell and a tube of nuclear material.