Escape for Men by Calvin Klein

I bought the current version of Escape for Men by Calvin Klein, made by Coty Spain, and I must say it was a great disappointment. Unlike the originals from the 90s and early 2000s, which came in frosted glass bottles, this one comes in a transparent bottle, which already hinted at a change. The scent is very faint and light, with a projection more akin to a body mist than an intense fragrance. It barely retains any traces of the original formula and lacks that explosive fruity burst of melon, mango and citrus that made the classic so striking. I have read that the US version still resembles the original more and maintains the frosted bottle. For now, I have ordered a vintage bottle from 2000 to see how it has held up over time and whether it can awaken that unforgettable tropical sensation I had the first time I used it in 1997.

Escape for Men by Calvin Klein. To me, the best fragrance from the worst designer house. This contradiction makes sense given Calvin Klein’s lack of innovation lately, with weak, generic scents that no longer have their own signature, except for this glorious exception. Escape is a fruity men’s fragrance that doesn’t use citrus as a base. The opening features melon, mango, and peach—macerated fruits for a real treat. Then come the heart notes of fir, juniper, and cardamom. It has excellent trail and projection, clinging to fabrics with brutal potency. I could still smell it after washing my shirts. Curiously, and as a welcome exception, it smells just as it did in the 90s. I hope the younger generation starts appreciating these 90s gems, which were absolutely masculine fragrances. Rating: 9/10.

My story with this perfume: It was 2004, I was 15, and an uncle gifted me a partially used bottle. He loved it (or still does, I suppose), finding it very youthful and perfectly suited to my age. The 90s didn’t feel quite so distant back then, with cultural echoes still lingering; from my perspective, Calvin Klein’s Escape seemed like a scent that was still modern. It’s hard to describe the first time I tried it, but I only know that one note captivated me, though I couldn’t define it at the time. In short, it smelled fresh, youthful, and ‘modern’. Compliments from several people, especially women, didn’t keep me waiting. I think I bought two more bottles; in fact, it was the first perfume I bought with my own money. It became my signature for a good while. However, as the perfume boom wasn’t as big back then as it is today, I didn’t continue with that scent, partly because later I discovered the legendary ADG, which displaced the CK Escape. Fast forward to today… I’ve had my little collection for a few months now, and Escape has been my latest acquisition. Yes, it was more out of nostalgia than for the perfume itself. I have little to say about its performance, but now I know that the note that captivated me was the melon with a hint of mango; I love how it stays impregnated in the atomiser… a delight. I miss the previous bottle design with its frosty finish; it gave it a special visual touch.

Lots of melon, tropical. It’s for daily use, but much better in tropical climates. It’s a very rich aromatic aquatic. Although in extreme heat it can become cloying, you just need to use a little less. If you like the melon note, it’s a definite yes. The cypress, fir, and birch blend perfectly to create a very particular sensation. An underrated gem from Calvin Klein.

I’ve been using Calvin Klein Escape since I was 20; I’m 50 now. It’s an extraordinary and very underrated perfume; it has left me with the best compliment I have: my wife. I met her wearing this fabulous perfume. Since we got married, she gifts it to us for our anniversary; we’ve been married for 25 years. A delicious sweet, fruity citrus scent with a melon top note and a sweet finish that isn’t cloying at all, totally aromatic, brilliant. I recommend it 100% for a very economical price; it’s worth much more than it costs, sincerely. A great perfume.

I was given a CK set and this was the one I liked the most. It opens fruity and fresh with a sweet base, very easy to detect. Once dry, it smells of a damp forest yet retains the citrus notes. The trail isn’t its strong suit (lasting an hour or so), but for the price, it’s worth reapplying. It’s a very interesting option.

When I was little, in 1995, I used to steal perfumes from my brother. I was about 12 and only remember a smell of melon.

There’s no debating it: the top 3 of Calvin Klein are Escape, Eternity and Obsession. Tremendous.

For me, Escape is the best CK for men. I love its incredibly fruity, fresh and respectful opening, even with the reformulations. I received a bottle from the 2022 batch and was surprised that the quality remained intact. It lasts and projects well, highlighting the shortcomings of other classics like CK One or Eternity. I’ll use it for hot days; despite being fruity, it’s not cloying and gives energy. It lasted in the gym with moderate application, but I’ll use it mainly for going out with my wife, who is a fan (9/10).

Nice fragrance, I used it until the 100ml bottle was empty. I let myself be swept away by the charms of Escape For Woman but it didn’t meet my expectations, although I keep lovely memories. What annoyed me most was its poor trail.

The opaque bottle of Calvin Klein’s ‘Escape’ stares back at me from the desk. It’s fresh and slightly daring; I’m not as taken with it as I am with Dune or Kenzo, but I respect it. It moves away from the safe lavender/mint with a strong dose of secondary fruits and herbs. The eucalyptus works better than in Contradiction. It tries to distinguish itself from Eternity with a fresh, aromatic twist. The opening is mango and melon, with more mango coming through, followed by a sharp, salty grapefruit. It’s polarising: you either love it or you don’t. Then it calms down and lets its woods show, with fir, cypress and more perceptible eucalyptus. The herbal and woody facets take control. It lasts well on skin but has a moderate trail. It’s a fresh aromatic, acceptable and less polarising than the feminine version. I like it, but I wouldn’t buy it blindly.

I was looking for summer fragrances, and seeing melon, sea, and eucalyptus in a classic bottle made me buy it without hesitation. The first thing I notice is that sweet melon, which doesn’t last long, alongside the eucalyptus and classic aromatic notes. That sweetness makes it less appealing in the height of summer; I enjoy it more in mild weather, such as spring or autumn.

A classic, simple fruity fragrance. A bit strong at first but formidable once it dries down. It’s like the 90s in a bottle; I like it so much I bought two at a comfortable price. Long life to this perfume.

Smells of tea and plastic, with a smoky and sweet touch. It’s the exact aroma of stepping into a new car. It has its years and doesn’t feel old to me, although I prefer Eternity.

A special fragrance with an original scent. The combination of melon and eucalyptus, with its sweet tones, earned me many compliments back in the 90s which I later capitalised on for dates, what times… I still keep it for the memory. Even with its reformulation, it continues to earn compliments.