Up in the Air

“Wide Society Up in the Air Review”

Up in the Air is built around leather, but it does not rush into a dry biker-jacket style. The opening brings a warm alcoholic glow from rum and saffron, and that boozy lift gives the scent an inviting first impression. It feels plush rather than rough, with a sweetness that softens the edges early on.

As it settles, the composition starts to show more texture. Plum adds a dark fruit tone, tobacco adds body, and the leather becomes the clear centre of gravity. This is the stage where the fragrance feels most distinctive. It is serious and a little moody, but not cold. The listed rose and artemisia seem to play more of a supporting role than a starring one, helping the heart feel rounded rather than floral.

The base is where Up in the Air gets its lounge-like mood. Vanilla, styrax, birch and tobacco make the leather feel smoother, smokier and slightly resinous. Ambrette and orris likely contribute some softness underneath, though the scent still reads mostly as leather first. One positive review describes it as a gorgeous boozy scent with a sweet base and an easy unisex balance, and that lines up well with the structure on paper.

What keeps this from feeling too polished is a faint edge of tension. Red chilli pepper and saffron can give the warmth a subtle bite, while birch and styrax stop the sweetness from turning creamy or cozy in a simple way. Instead, it keeps a darker tone. That makes it better suited to someone who enjoys texture and shadow in a fragrance, rather than those looking for a clean suede or an airy modern leather.

Performance appears steady rather than extreme. It usually reads as moderate to long lasting, with projection that can feel moderate to strong depending on application and skin. In practice, that means it should suit evenings, dinners and cool-weather daytime wear without needing to behave like a room-filling statement scent.

The main caveat is the leather itself. Not every wearer will read it as smooth or luxurious. One negative review found it plastic-like, and that is important with this style of scent because leather accords can swing from elegant to artificial depending on taste and skin chemistry. If you know you are picky about leather, sampling first is the sensible move.

For the right wearer, though, Up in the Air offers a rich and characterful take on boozy leather. It feels intimate, dimly lit and slightly dressed up, with enough sweetness to stay approachable. This is a fragrance for someone who wants warmth, texture and presence, not freshness or transparency.