Fabulous

The Verdict

Tom Ford Fabulous (originally launched under its more provocative name in 2017) is arguably the most polarizing fragrance in the Private Blend collection. At around $400 for 50ml, it's priced to make a statement before you even spray it. The community is split between those who find it uniquely magnetic and those who call it the most overpriced leather wipe they've ever encountered. With over 9,200 votes, the debate shows no signs of settling.

What It Smells Like

The opening is where Fabulous loses or wins you. A wave of Bitter Almond arrives first — not marzipan sweetness but a dry, almost medicinal almond that's immediately distinctive. Lavender and Clary Sage add an aromatic herbal quality that keeps the opening from veering into gourmand territory.

As it develops, Leather emerges — but not the aggressive, smoky leather of Tuscan Leather. This is glove leather, the inside of a luxury handbag, the suede lining of an expensive jacket. One reviewer nailed it: "It isn't an off-putting leather fragrance, but it is reminiscent of a very expensive new handbag." Others disagree entirely, saying they "get no leather whatsoever — just creamy almond and sage."

The drydown is where converts are made. Tonka Bean and Cashmeran create a plush, cashmere-like warmth that sits close to the skin and rewards proximity. It becomes less about individual notes and more about aura — warm, intimate, and quietly magnetic.

Longevity & Projection

Fabulous is not a beast-mode fragrance. Longevity runs 6-9 hours on skin (longer on clothes), but projection is moderate at best — noticeable for the first 1-2 hours, then it becomes a close-to-skin scent. If you want to fill a room, look elsewhere. If you want someone leaning in close to whisper "what are you wearing?" — this delivers.

The Price Question

At ~$400 for 50ml, this is one of the most expensive mainstream designer fragrances available. The community is ruthless about this:

The believers say the almond-leather-tonka combination is genuinely unique — there's nothing else that smells like this in the Private Blend or anywhere else. For them, the price buys something irreplaceable.

The skeptics point out that a fragrance built primarily around tonka bean shouldn't cost this much, and that the leather note is subtle enough to be debatable. One buyer called it "the biggest rip off I have ever experienced."

The pragmatists recommend buying a decant or small split rather than a full bottle — you get the experience without the financial commitment.

The Community Says

With 9,201 votes, Fabulous has the engagement numbers of a fragrance people feel compelled to have opinions about. The almond note is the dividing line — you either find it sophisticated and intriguing, or you find it odd and not worth enduring for the drydown.

The most consistent praise is for the drydown phase, where the cashmeran-tonka warmth creates something genuinely special. If you can tolerate the first 30 minutes, the reward is a cozy, intimate scent that wears like cashmere.

Who Should Buy This

Fabulous is for the person who buys fragrance for themselves, not for compliments. It's an intimate, close-to-skin experience best suited to cold weather, evening events, and moments of quiet luxury. It works equally well on men and women.

Skip it if you measure a fragrance by its projection radius, if you need something for hot weather, or if spending $400 on something this divisive feels reckless without testing it extensively first.

The Bottom Line

Tom Ford Fabulous is genuinely unique — the bitter almond and soft leather combination exists nowhere else at this level of execution. But "unique" and "worth $400" are different questions. Sample it, wear it for a full day in cold weather, and pay attention to how you feel about the drydown. That warmth is either worth every cent or a dealbreaker. There is no middle ground with this fragrance.