Yardley London Equity EDT for Men 100ml

Equity has been in Yardley's range since 2004 and it is built on the old cologne structure: bright citrus at the top, aromatic herbs through the middle, quiet woods underneath. Nothing about it is trendy, which is exactly why it still works twenty years on.

It opens on bergamot, lemon and lavender, sharp and clean. Rosemary, coriander and clary sage carry the heart, which is where the herbal character comes through, and it settles on sandalwood, patchouli and musk. Warm, dry, and close to the skin by the end.

This is the one to wear where a fragrance should be noticed only by people standing near you. Interviews, offices, formal daytime events. A heavy oud or a sweet gourmand in those rooms is a mistake, and a citrus-herbal cologne never is.

Which Yardley? Urbane is the fresh green one for daytime and heat. Classic is warm and spicy, best in the evening and in winter. Navy is the marine one, built for summer. Sport is aquatic and woody, for casual and active days. Equity is the citrus-herbal cologne, the most formal of the five.

Worth knowing: 100ml Eau de Toilette. Citrus openings are loud for the first twenty minutes then settle quickly, so judge this one an hour in rather than on the first spray from the bottle.