Acqua di Gio (EDT) Review – Everything You Need to Know

Acqua di Gio EDT.

One of the best and most popular fresh fragrances on the market.

Experience this fragrance through prominent citrus, aromatic, and marine notes. This review will describe its smell and performance and if it’s the right choice for you.

Quick Summary

• Acqua di Gio EDT is a must-have fragrance.
• Acqua di Gio is based on fresh and aquatic accords.
• Acqua has average longevity and projection.
• It is one of the most popular fragrances for men.
• There are multiple flankers of Acqua di Gio EDT

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How Giorgio Armani Describes it

Here is the product description, “Acqua Di Giò opens with a splash of fresh, Calabrian bergamot, neroli, and green tangerine. Light, aquatic nuances mix with rosemary, sweet persimmon, and warm Indonesian patchouli to create a fresh cologne for men.”

What Does Acqua Di Gio EDT Smell Like?

I’ll get right to the point. What does Acqua di Gio for Men smell like? It smells like citruses, florals, and the ocean. The opening is profoundly fresh and bright.

Acqua di Gio is an aromatic aquatic fragrance; you’ll smell like the ocean and surely get noticed. 

A recurring theme of Acqua di Gio is harmony between sharp citrus and masculine woody notes. The opening is bright and has a juicy freshness.

When you count all the notes, there are 25 different accords. 

However, the most prominent are citrus, florals, sea notes, musk, and woods. The citrus duo creates a fresh aroma. After the opening, the citrus fades quickly, transitioning from a fresh to a clean smell.

What I mean by this is that as the citruses fade, the fragrance loses the bitter brightness of the citrus.

As the scent develops, there is an amplified calone and sea note. These accords stay present for the rest of the wear. Once the scent is entirely developed. 

Acqua di Gio smells clean, with masculine musk and wood accords in the background. Combined with a sea smell, the clean floral accord of jasmine gives a sweet residue.

The official Acqua di Gio EDT notes:

Acqua Di Gio EDT Performance

How Long Does Acqua di Gio Last?

Acqua di Gio is an average performer lasting 5-6 hours on the skin. This isn’t great, but it is expected from a citrus fragrance.

The projection is similar to longevity. It is moderate; I would consider this as a personal bubble scent. It will project for 1 hour and 1-2 feet. Then it fades and stays close to your skin for the rest of the wear.

Is Acqua di Gio Versatile?

The versatility is above average. Acqua di Gio is great for everyday wear. It is clean, masculine, and likable. It is excellent for most seasons as well. I know many men wear this as a signature scent all year, and it works great.

If I had to choose a season, it would be spring and summer. Since it is not dense and heavy, it will struggle in colder temperatures but will still work.

Is Acqua di Gio Unique?

Uniqueness is average. When Acqua di Gio was first released, it was the most unique fragrance on the market. It revolutionized men’s fragrances with the men’s aquatic fragrance genre.

No one had ever used Calone before. Since its inception, newer fragrances have jumped into the oceanic vibe. It has diluted Acqua di Gio’s uniqueness.

Uniqueness for you; you won’t smell unique. It is the best-selling men’s fragrance, and many men still wear it. So if you want a signature scent that will make you stand out in a crowd, this isn’t the one.

Does Acqua di Gio EDT Get Compliments?

This fragrance is a great compliment puller. Though the scent profile is complex, the smell is not. It is clean and not offensive. It is difficult not to like because of its simplistic smell.

Is Acqua di Gio EDT Worth It?

Yes. It is a must-have. It is inexpensive compared to other designer brands. You can buy a 100mL bottle for less than $80 at discounters. 

It is not a performance beast, but it gets the job done. It is versatile and a great first fragrance or addition to your collection.

How do The People Rate Acqua di Gio EDT?

Don’t just trust me; what do the masses think? This information is pulled from fragrantica.com. Providing a general estimate of what others think.

At the time of writing, Acqua di Gio EDT has 14,905 votes with a rating of 4.11 stars out of 5. Based on the cost-for-value metric, it is rated as neutral to slightly overpriced.

Here are the top three pros and cons:

Presentation

The 30mL bottle being reviewed today was purchased from FragranceX.com. The bottle is foggy clear with a silver cap and silver writing. The box has the same color scheme. It is white with silver writing.

The batch code is on the bottom of both the box and bottle. Mine is 38W202V.

The Story of Acqua Di Gio

Acqua di Gio Pour Homme is a scent that was launched in 1996. It made its way to the top as a relatively inexpensive designer fragrance. It consistently left you smelling fresh and clean—a mass-appealing scent.

There are ten other flankers of the original EDT. Three of which are now discontinued or unreasonably priced. The three most popular flankers, and the ones I talked about today, are Profondo, Profumo, and EDP.

All were released years after the original. The other four that I will not cover are exclusive and special blends. For the average person, they are not worth seeking out for what they are.

However, if you want to learn about them, check out this video.

My Experience With Acqua Di Gio EDT

All of the above information is my experience with Acqua di Gio EDT.

However, I keep it as objective as possible. This way, you can objectively decide if this is a fragrance you want to purchase or if you’re comparing a few fragrances. Thus, this section is my subjective opinion.

Acqua di Gio was as good as I expected when I first tried it. It lives up to the hype, and it is no shock it has been a best-seller since its release almost 20 years ago.

I have nothing to critique about the smell, and the performance is what it is. The scent does come across as slightly mature. That’s solely because it’s not your stereotypical aquatic fragrance.

Lastly, I know some guys wear this in the winter as their signature scent. But the aroma doesn’t fit the cooler weather, even fall. Definitely has the vibe of late spring and summer.

FAQ’s

Where Do I Buy Acqua Di Gio for Men?

I recommend checking out Besuited Aroma’s Shop.

Sizes:

• 0.67oz/20mL Bottle
• 1oz/30mL Bottle
• 1.7oz/50mL Bottle
• 3.4oz/100mL Bottle
• 6.8oz/200mL Bottle
• 10.2oz/300mL Bottle

Do you not want to drop money on a cologne you’ve never smelt before? I don’t blame you. Check out Besuited Aroma’s decants. They are the cheapest and easiest way to experience new fragrances.

How Many Sprays Should I Apply? 

I recommend 3-5 sprays.

If you’re going to be in close-quarter settings, three sprays are fine. Even though Acqua di Gio is a lighter fragrance, it still gets intense in close vicinity.

If you’re going out, say the beach, five sprays are perfect as they let you announce your presence slightly better.

When To Wear Acqua Di Gio for Men?

Acqua di Gio works for all occasions; it is an easy fragrance to wear. It can also be worn during any season, though it may struggle in colder temperatures.

There will always be better fragrances for a specific occasion. If you are looking for a fragrance that does it all, this is the scent for you.

Who Wears Acqua Di Gio?

Men of all ages can wear this fragrance. It is fresh, and the scent profile isn’t anything crazy that best fits a particular age group.

However, when it comes to the EDP version, it is best suited for middle-aged and older men. It is more sophisticated and mature than the other versions.

What Are Related Fragrances? 

360 Red for Men by Perry Ellis. Is the best alternative.

However, the most similar fragrance is the flankers of the Acqua di Gio line. Profumo, Profundo, and the EDP version.

All have the same Acqua di Gio DNA but present it slightly differently. The EDP version is the closest and is known as the mature version of the EDT.

Final Words

Acqua di Gio EDT is a cornerstone of fragrance history. There is a reason that Acqua di Gio is the best-selling men’s fragrance line; it is so clean and likable. The fragrance is easy to wear and attention-getting.

Acqua Di Gio has a recurring theme. The perfect harmony between aquatic and masculine accords.

After you try Acqua di Gio EDT, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Other Articles of Interest

• Acqua di Gio Line Reviewed – Which is Best for You?
• Dior Sauvage (EDP) Review – Everything You Need To Know
• Full Review of YSL Y EDP – The Profound Truth
• The Ultimate Guide to the Best Summer Fragrances for Men
• Best Citrus Colognes – 11 of the Most Interesting Freshies