With the notable exception of Dave Navarro and Billie Joe Armstrong, eyeliner has a fairly limited following among men. At the same time, despite movies and high school successes, we have yet to see women stake a large claim in the area of American football. Similarly, could you ever imagine a world where your grandmother would splash on some of grandpa’s Old Spice or grandpa would sneak a spritz of her Estee Lauder? Unlike the first two examples, scent swapping among the sexes is not only alive and well, but growing steadily – so much so that fragrance manufacturers are beginning to take notice and design androgynous scents for him or her.

Of course, in the world of high fashion the illusion of androgyny has been around for decades, but it is a relatively new idea in the world of fragrance. Industry watchers and sales counter associates will tell you that this trend has been growing under the radar for years and is now gaining popularity due to its recognition by some boutique manufacturers who have begun to cater directly to it.

Driven by reports of men buying women’s fragrances – apparently for themselves – and women trying out their guys’ scents, several forward-thinking companies have begun to combine fragrance ingredients in new ways unheard of even five years ago. Most perfumers have learned that traditionally florals and sweet fruits served as the basis of feminine scents while leather, wood, smoke and fern were man territory. What they have found in both controlled and anecdotal studies is that, in a nutshell, it’s not that easy. There are many women who absolutely love scents that traditionally were sold only at the men’s counter and men who are increasingly open to trying fragrances that most manufacturers would have never marketed to them.

The key to the new market is in that middle ground between the extremes. The most aftershave-ish or smoky scents are going to remain squarely in the man camp, but the lighter hues of leather and fern can take on an exciting exotic aroma when worn by a woman. By the same token, a light floral scent can take on a completely different complexion when worn by a man. While most couples would probably balk at the idea of wearing the same scent, some are making the trip to the fragrance counter a gender-bending adventure for both of them.

Guys and girls alike are talking about the attraction power of a traditionally gender-opposite scent on their partner. The main idea behind buying a new fragrance is for the reaction it elicits from your significant other. If one of these cross-gender fragrances gets your partner interested enough to pull in for a closer whiff, it’s already accomplishing its purpose. On your next trip to the mall, take your partner along and see what smells good on each other. Who knows what you’ll find?

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