Absolutely, there’s no rule anywhere that says gourmand notes belong to women’s fragrance, and plenty of well-loved, distinctly masculine-marketed perfumes lean heavily on vanilla, tonka bean and caramel.

Why the sweet-equals-feminine idea doesn’t really hold

Some of the most successful men’s fragrances of the last two decades are built on a sweet, warm gourmand base, often paired with tobacco, leather or spice to keep the overall effect from feeling one-note. That pairing, sweetness against something darker or smokier, is exactly what stops a gourmand from tipping into overly saccharine territory, and it’s a large part of why gourmand-leaning men’s fragrances have become genuinely mainstream rather than niche.

If you’re new to wearing sweet scents

Look for a gourmand balanced with something drier, tobacco, leather, coffee or a smoky wood, rather than a pure vanilla or caramel note on its own, which can read as more straightforwardly sweet. Application matters too, gourmands project generously, so a lighter hand goes further than you’d expect. Our men’s fragrance guide and complete guide to perfume both cover this without the old-fashioned gendering.