Ombré Leather is like a cheat code for confidence. It’s near enough guaranteed to attract compliments at the bar, but it’s clean enough to wear to work too.
A lot of leather-leaning fragrances can smell a little impure and rugged, but Ombre Leather is a refreshing exception. Think “new supercar” rather than “Hell’s Angels”.
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- This deep and alluring fragrance exudes masculine sensuality.
- A special introduction to high-end fragrance. A great place to start with the designer houses.
- Best for evenings when you want to make an impression.
- Might be out of reach for budget users. Ombré Leather is simultaneously good value and expensive.
- A little thick and moody. Not recommended for breezy, sunny days.
It’s probably fair that I offer a quick disclaimer: Tom Ford is my favorite fragrance house, bar none. But it’s for good reason. The quality of the notes in this expression is unparalleled. The leather doesn’t need fancy gimmicks to be a success, Tom Ford just let it shine.
First Impressions
The standard-issue bottle just looks cool. It’s not some intricate piece of glassware, but it’s brooding, deep, and Darth Vader-esque.
The matte black finish of the bottle alludes to the oodles of leather you’re about to find inside.
My sample decant was a little less “rock n roll” aesthetic and a little more “lab test tube”, but it’s what’s inside that counts right?
What Does Ombré Leather Smell Like?
Let’s make one thing very clear: this is leather in its purest form. Deep, dark, and brooding.
That said, Ombré Leather is a rather uniquely clean representation of the accord. This is less about dirty biker jackets and more evocative of the interior of a new supercar. The note is able to confidently speak for itself, rather than smack you with earthiness until you succumb to its raw alpha energy.
This deep and alluring fragrance exudes masculine sensuality.
A special introduction to high-end fragrance. A great place to start with the designer houses.
Best for evenings when you want to make an impression.
- A dreamy scent of butter-soft leather with hints of sensual flowers.
- The scent is incredibly on point; akin to a really beautiful, velvety black leather jacket.
No, that’s far too vulgar. With Ombre Leather, you’ve got CEO confidence, not ruffian bravado. Think Tony Stark, not Conor McGregor.
The primary leather expression is helped along by flickers of vanilla and cardamon, adding welcome nuance to an otherwise uncomplicated palate.
| Top Notes: | Vanilla and Cardamom |
| Middle Notes: | Jasmine and Leather |
| Base Notes: | Moss, Patchouli and Amber |
How Long Does Ombré Leather Last?
Like the majority of Tom Ford’s flagship fragrances, Ombré Leather is a performance monster. I easily get 8 hours out of a single application, which is usually more than enough given I wear it mostly for evening jaunts rather than office slogs (more on that in a second).
Projection is equally impressive, particularly because Ombré Leather pulls off a trick most leather-inspired scents fail to – a strong leather sense that doesn’t overpower.
The leather here is so clean that it makes you feel like you’re wearing a high-quality leather jacket, but not like you’ve become the jacket itself!
When Should I Wear Ombré Leather?
Leather fragrances tend to suit cooler weather best, and Tom Ford’s Ombré Leather is no exception. I can certainly attest to it attracting attention in the smoking area of boutique bars by night.
The hearty leather feels homely, and those inflections of vanilla and cardamom add just enough of an aromatic sense to make this feel like a real winter warmer.
This deep and alluring fragrance exudes masculine sensuality.
A special introduction to high-end fragrance. A great place to start with the designer houses.
Best for evenings when you want to make an impression.
- A dreamy scent of butter-soft leather with hints of sensual flowers.
- The scent is incredibly on point; akin to a really beautiful, velvety black leather jacket.
Can You Wear Ombré Leather to Work?
Ombré Leather wouldn’t be my first pick for the office. Sure, you could get away with it, if you’ve got a boisterous personality and you’re in a position to get away with that.
However, it’s more explicitly masculine than most of the colognes I’d recommend for the workplace. You want something light, breezy, and airy for an enclosed space, and it would be a stretch to classify Ombré Leather as that. A better pick would be something like Gucci Guilty or Invictus Victory.
Where to Buy Ombré Leather
I’ve used Nordstrom for a couple of years, and they’re my favorite. I enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that everything is taken care off; the product is authentic and will show up when I expect it to, for a fair price.
Ombré Leather is a crowd-pleasing scent that you’re probably going to love – but in the worst case, Nordstrom offers the most flexible returns policy I’ve come across when buying colognes online.
They’re perfectly happy for you to try your order and send it back if it’s not for you. As long as you haven’t used half the bottle, that is.
Failing that, you can always go through Amazon. They’re probably the most stocked place to buy colognes online, and I love that the reviews for each vendor are public so I know exactly what I’m getting.
Also, Amazon has got shipping down to a fine art. If you order a cologne available with Prime delivery on a Thursday, there’s a good chance it will be in your hands by the weekend. It’s that rapid.
This deep and alluring fragrance exudes masculine sensuality.
A special introduction to high-end fragrance. A great place to start with the designer houses.
Best for evenings when you want to make an impression.
- A dreamy scent of butter-soft leather with hints of sensual flowers.
- The scent is incredibly on point; akin to a really beautiful, velvety black leather jacket.
Similar Fragrances to Ombré Leather
Tom Ford – Tuscan Leather
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Le Labo – Santal 33
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Tuscan Leather – Ombré Leather Alternative
The other main leather fragrance from Tom Ford is Tuscan Leather. It’s like Ombré Leather’s edgy cousin, a little rougher around the edges and a touch more obnoxious.
Tuscan Leather
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It’s a great pick for date night as it strikes a perfect balance between rugged masculinity and cosmopolitan flamboyance. The leather is deep and serious, but there’s flair from touches of opulent saffron and a sharp raspberry note.
It’s got “big baller, shot caller” energy, as evidenced by its bevy of ostentatious advocates.
| Top Notes: | Raspberry, Saffron and Thyme |
| Middle Notes: | Jasmine and Olibanum |
| Base Notes: | Leather, Woody Notes, Suede and Amber |
Le Labo Santal 33 – Ombré Leather Alternative
Le Labo’s Santal 33 revolves around powdery sandalwood, but there’s a good dollop of leather in the base that makes me consider it a viable alternative to Ombré Leather.
Santal 33
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It reminds me of old libraries with leather-bound books, presenting refined masculinity that speaks to experience and expertise. Like Ombré Leather, this is no cookie-cutter, biker-jacket leather. Something more nuanced and impressive is going on, straddling the line between sensual and sweet with aplomb.
It still picks up compliments whenever I wear it, even though I’ve noticed plenty of other people jumping on the hype train (at least in London, that is).
- If you’re on a budget, check out our guide to the best alternatives to Santal 33
| Top Notes: | Violet and Iris |
| Middle Notes: | Cardamom, Amber and Papyrus |
| Base Notes: | Sandalwood, Leather and Cedar |
What’s Changed?
We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information.
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