Question:
Several of the more experienced (and respected) members don't really care for (or absolutely hate) aquatic fragrances. Is it how they are made? Do they smell too synthetic? What is it.

Answer:
For me, it's three things:
1) They smell very synthetic in most cases.
2) They tend to have shoddy compositions.
3) Everyone wears them.
There are some exceptions: for example, I like L'eau d'Issey PH, as it is well-crafted and not too synthetic. It's the AdGs and Kenneth Cole Blacks that make me sick.

Answer:
I just don't find aquatics very interesting, preferring stronger, richer, more complex scents which hold my interest. Yes, by the standards of this forum I qualify as a genuine old man

My typical response to an aquatic is that when I first encounter someone wearing one I think that sure smells nice. But just a few minutes later I'm already bored with it and wish I didn't have to smell it anymore. It's not that I find aquatics unpleasant, but rather boring.

I don't hate aquatics, and I even have a few in my wardrobe. But overall I'd usually prefer to wear something more interesting. Why wear something that bores me?

I liken the aquatic fad to the concurrent popularity of white drinks like white wines, vodka and light rums over red wines, whiskies, cognacs, and dark rums. For a while it seemed like manufacturers were intent on making drinks with no flavor whatsoever.

I like those white drinks just fine, but prefer something with more stuffing, the same way I like my fragrances.

Answer:
Same as above, mostly the reason is the synthetic-ness, especially in the drydown. In contrast to the drydowns of most classic non-aquatic scents that change and turns and reveals on and on for hours, most new fresh/aquatic scents give me a drydown that makes me feel like being wrapped up in skin tight plastic wrap, a good example of this would be polo blue. Composition-wise they are almost always gimmicky, some run of the mill fruity syrup top notes plus the plastic wrap-like aquatic note is always the formula.

Answer:
I personally think that this aversion is often based upon the popularity of these fragrances on the mass market.

Many of today's releases are built around an aquatic, airy, light theme. The majority of the world believes in smelling 'clean' and has negative associations with body odor, dirt, etc. There is nothing wrong with that in theory, but in an effort to project a positive image, most people will play it safe and grab a scent that is accepted by society and that will not offend others. This is what makes it quite easy to guess what a random person who isn't specifically into fragrances is wearing. When you're familiar with many fragrances that have a very different theme, it's more appealing to wear something that's different and that makes you stand out or just suits your personal tastes better.

Also, certain aquatic scents tend to have a rather harsh or unnatural composition that emphasizes strongly on being 'fresh'. This can put people off, regardless of their knowledge of fragrances. My personal opinion is that humans were never meant to smell completely fresh 24/7, all year long, but that doesn't mean they should reek of body odor either. Something more complex and natural is just more interesting to me. I love my citruses and I love my light scents, but I also love a touch of wood, incense, something sweet or something green every now and then.

Answer:
After a shower I scent myself with a fragrance that I find unique, comforting and creative. After about 4 hours, when my natural odors have returned and mixed with the applied fragrance, I'm one happy animal. IMHO, Aquatics and natural body odors are in direct opposition to each other, they never combine to create a harmony - they just duke it out until my next shower.
On a limited basis, in a warm climate or in the summer, I can do a citrus fragrance, but that's as "fresh" as I like to be.

Answer:
I think it comes down to market saturation and over use due to their current popularity.
On the supply side...When something is really popular, companies come out with a number of products to cash in on the popularity. Many of the products are rushed to market and other which should not have been brought out at all are brought out. In a lot of ways popularity leads to mediocrity.
On the customer side...Because it is a popular type of fragrance, it becomes the "safe" choice and people end up over using it and using it inappropriately.
The bottom line is that Aquatics can be really nice and are a useful part of a well rounded fragrance wardrobe. Think of Aquatic fragrances as being the Hawaiian shirts of your fragrance wardrobe.

Answer:
Fragrance is like music. If you really study the chemistry and psychology behind scent, then it's easy to see a quality perfume as literally like a musical symphony.
Aquatic fragrances generally smell synthetic and one dimensional, and in my opinion are the equivalent of teeny bopper music. It doesn't mean they're bad, but fragrance preference is a lot like musical preference, and the quality of scents preferred by a person can indicate a certain personality or mental/emotional maturity level.
For example, in aromatherapy circles and according to some perfumers, people that like deeper scents (woods, orientals, oud, patchouli) tend to be more comfortable with themselves, or more inclined or able to experience intimacy (emotionally and mentally). This is something that comes with age and maturity, usually (hopefully).
Just some thoughts to muse on.

Answer:
Originally Posted by MFfan310 For me, it's three things:
1) They smell very synthetic in most cases.
2) They tend to have shoddy compositions.
3) Everyone wears them.
There are some exceptions: for example, I like L'eau d'Issey PH, as it is well-crafted and not too synthetic. It's the AdGs and Kenneth Cole Blacks that make me sick. that sums it up rather nicely

Answer:
I think acquatics are really interesting and fascinating. Halston Unbound, Gant Indigo, Lacroix's Bazaar, Creed's Erolfa, L'Eau D'Issey are excellent aquatics I own. Then there are the more marine type scents like Kenzo Homme, Nautica original, Nautilus Aqua, Nautilus Black Marlin (a marine oriental!) and Nautilus Blazer. Even the harsher Agua Brava - Sea Power and Aqua Quorum smell good after a while.
Citrus scents are nice during warm and hot weather, but who wants to wear citruses all the time when there are so many interesting aquatic and marine scents which are also perfect for the occasion? The much admired deeper, multi dimensional scents that are supposedly so much better than aquatics just don't cut it on a hot day.
Renato