Black
Superdry Black is an aromatic fougere for men, characterized by a bright lime opening over a smooth leather and oak moss base. Released in 2011, this fragrance targets men seeking a polite, clean scent for professional environments. It offers a subtle, sophisticated presence perfect for office settings during transitional spring and fall weather.
Similar Suggestions
BETAFragrances with the nearest note and performance profile.
For more in-depth suggestions.
Performance Metrics
227 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Longevity is poor, lasting two to three hours. Sillage is intimate, staying close to the skin after the first hour, making it ideal for professional office settings.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
A clean, aromatic fougere defined by a zesty lime opening, a heart of lavender and thyme, and a base of soft leather, incense, and sandalwood. It has a soapy, herbal texture that feels fresh and office-ready.
Main Accords
14 MAPPEDThe leather and aromatic accords are soft rather than intense. On the skin, they behave in a linear fashion, offering a clean, spicy profile that stays consistent until it fades.
Community Data
170 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Inoffensive profile perfect for office use
Clean, fresh lime opening
Safe for close-quarter professional settings
Polite, modest projection
Versatile for spring and fall days
Composed and neat aromatic structure
Easy to wear for daily errands
Not sweet or cloying
Refined herbal heart of thyme and lavender
Subtle, personal scent aura
Sophisticated base blend of resins and sandalwood
Engaging complexity in the heart notes
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Weak longevity fails to last a full day
Requires constant reapplication
Lacks the depth of similar aromatic fragrances
Becomes a skin scent almost immediately
Performance feels subpar even for the price
Not suitable for evening wear or dates
Common scent profile that lacks unique character
Cannot project through heat or busy rooms
Too quiet for those seeking presence
Diminishing returns if used as a signature scent
Fades prematurely on skin
Limited projection restricts situational use
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Superdry Black: An Intimate Aromatic For The Daily Grind”
The opening of Superdry Black is surprisingly bright, led by a sharp, zesty lime that immediately hits the nose. It is a clean, fruity start that feels energetic for about ten minutes. As it settles, you notice the herbal quality of thyme and coriander, which pull the fragrance into a more grounded, aromatic space. Lavender provides a familiar, soapy backbone that keeps everything feeling composed and neat.
The heart is where this fragrance resides for most of its life. The nutmeg and jasmine add a slight complexity that prevents it from feeling strictly like a shower gel, though it definitely shares that DNA. After an hour, the base notes of leather, sandalwood, and a touch of incense begin to surface. They are soft and quiet, never becoming the dark, smoky animalic mess that the term leather might imply in other niches.
On the skin, the accord behavior is polite. It does not bloom or radiate aggressively. Instead, it hugs the skin, acting as a personal aura of cleanliness. If you are someone who enjoys a scent that only you or those in very close proximity can detect, this behaves exactly as intended. However, the lack of depth means it does not morph significantly throughout the day; it essentially stays in its clean, spicy loop until it vanishes.
Performance is the main hurdle here. It simply does not have the stamina for a full work day. Expect two, maybe three hours of noticeable projection before it retreats into a whisper. In cooler spring or fall weather, it performs better than in the heat, but don't expect it to survive a commute and an entire day at the desk without a refresh.
This fragrance is built for the man who wants to smell decent without drawing attention. It fits the office, the grocery store, or a quick morning meeting. It is not for the person chasing compliments or seeking a signature scent that lingers on their jacket for days. If your goal is a tidy, unobtrusive scent for professional settings, it fits the bill.
Ultimately, Superdry Black is a serviceable, if unremarkable, aromatic. It does its job well enough for the short time it exists on your pulse points. If you treat it like an after-shower spray rather than a high-end investment, you won't be disappointed by its limited lifespan.
FAQs
What does Black by Superdry smell like?+
It opens with a zesty lime and fruity notes before shifting into a heart of lavender and thyme. The dry-down relies on leather, incense, and oak moss to create a dark, woody finish. It feels clean and professional rather than heavy or overly sweet.
How long does it last on skin?+
Longevity is a common critique for this fragrance. Most users report it lasting between two to three hours before becoming a faint skin scent. If you need all-day wear for a long office day, you will likely need to carry a decant to refresh it.
Is this a good office fragrance?+
Yes, its moderate sillage makes it quite suitable for professional settings. Since it does not project aggressively, it is unlikely to offend colleagues in close quarters. It provides a clean, spicy profile that fits a standard business casual dress code during autumn or spring.
Should I wear this on a date?+
It is generally not recommended for romantic evenings. Many users find the scent profile too transient and understated for a date night, where you might want something with more presence or warmth. It performs better as a daily-use scent for errands or office hours.
Which season does it suit best?+
It excels in the cooler, transitional weather of spring and fall. The blend of lavender and herbal thyme works well with temperate outdoor temperatures, while the base of resins and sandalwood provides just enough grounding for crisp mornings before the fragrance fades.
Is it a heavy, loud scent?+
Not at all. It is described as intimate and modest in its projection. Even if you increase the dosage, it tends to remain relatively close to the body, making it a great choice for those who prefer their scent to be discovered rather than announced.
Does it smell like Le Male?+
Some enthusiasts compare it to a much weaker, watered-down version of Le Male, but it lacks the iconic dense sweetness and power of that fragrance. It shares a similar aromatic backbone but behaves with much less intensity and depth on the skin.
What is the gender lean?+
It is marketed as a male fragrance. The combination of leather, oak moss, and spicy coriander aligns with traditional masculine scent structures, although the fruity opening keeps it light enough that some might consider it a versatile, modern aromatic composition.
Is it good for blind buying?+
Proceed with caution if blind buying. Given that its longevity is widely reported as weak and its scent profile is considered common by some, you might prefer to sample it first. It is best suited for those who prioritize a clean, non-offensive office scent over long-lasting performance.
Does the dry-down change much?+
The fragrance transitions from a bright, fruity-lime opening into a more grounded, herbaceous heart. The dry-down introduces a soft leather and incense accord, though it remains quite subtle. The development is linear and relatively quick because the scent dissipates rather rapidly.
Rankings
Full rankingsWear Diary
0 COMMUNITY WEAR LOGSKeep sprays, longevity, weather, and compliments in one practical log.
Sign in to keep private wear notes.
Compliment Signal
FROM WEAR LOGSReviews
No owner review yet. You can be the first.
Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREIf you enjoy the aromatic style but want more longevity, consider Bleu de Chanel or YSL Y. If you specifically want the Superdry aesthetic, try Steel, which is slightly more refreshing.
No User submitted dupes yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Live questions about Black
Ask one quick question and let the community weigh in while it is live.
No live pulse yet.
Trusted Sellers
Community-submitted stores that regular buyers trust, by country.
No trusted sellers added for this fragrance yet.
Where to Sample
Discovery sets, official samples, and trusted decants.
No sample or decant options shared for this fragrance yet.