Scent for Boyfriends, Husbags & Brothers

I know what Himself is getting - Paul Smith's new Story fragrance (below left). He has no choice in this matter, I like it and that's that. Ah no, I'm not that mean, he is a fan of Paul Smith's original Eau de Toilette (second left, €38.50, 50ml - also a good bet for the man in your life) and I do think he'll like this one too - it's very fresh and clean, with a hint of melon about it. Yum! You won't get this cheap online because it's new, so expect to pay about €50 for it.

In my experience, the fella in your life won't wear just anything. It'll have to be by someone credible and it'll have to smell good. DKNY scores in this regard - both Be Delicious (middle, €33.50, 50ml) and the original Eau de Toilette (€34.50, 100ml) will go down well on account of good looks and great fragrance. Lacoste is another very acceptable brand, and Lacoste Red (right, €31.50, 75ml) would be high on my list of recommendations - it's gorgeous. A fashionable male friend also recommends Lacoste Essential (2nd right €34.50, 75ml).

Another very trendy male friend of mine highly recommends posh perfumery Creed (prices start from €100+) for men's fragrance. Granted, Creed fragrance will be more expensive, but worth it if your fella / brother is on a constant quest for something a bit different. And hard to find too - you'll only find Creed in Dublin stores like Brown Thomas, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and Nue Blue Eriu - but sure of course our old mucker Strawberrynet can help out too. Celeb wearers include John F Kennedy and George Clooney, fact fans. And er.. Prince Charles. Try not to let that put you off though.

Dolce & Gabanna's D&G Masculine is a citrus scent that's "packed with raging Mediterranean sex appeal" - OooOoh. If that's a bit too saucy, err on the side of caution with D&G Homme instead. It also rates highly with males of my acquaintance and I really like Clinique Happy for Men (€27, 50ml) - but it's a very fruity scent, so I can imagine a lot of men rejecting it on the grounds that it's a bit 'girly'.

Hugo Boss, Issey Miyake and Calvin Klein (in particular I like Eternity & Escape) are all fail safe brands. The Hugo Boss range is huge, but I recommend the tried and trusted Hugo (€23, 100ml) in its distinctive canteen shaped bottle, especially for younger men. It's a sharp, fresh fragrance. Boss In Motion (€29.50, 40ml) is also good. It's "alluring and seductive". Mmm! It's a "blend of sweet and spicy oils combined with fresh and woody notes". L'eau D'Issey (€45, 75ml) is recommended for romantic use apparently, and it has a very fresh, clean scent with notes of sandalwood, moss and cedar. [all prices from Strawberrynet, you'll pay more in shops)

But really people, we won't kid ourselves - the man in your life is going to get something YOU want him to smell of, isn't he?