Polo EDT.
Ralph Lauren’s most masculine fragrance.
Ralph Lauren Polo EDT was released in 1978. It is based on woods, aromatics, and subtle spices. It lasts seven to eight hours on the skin with above-average projection. In this review, I will describe its smell and performance and if it’s worth it.
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Table of Contents
What Does Ralph Lauren Polo Smell Like?
The opening grabbed my attention from the start. There are prominent green and fresh accords. With this many notes, it’s hard to determine the specific note, but green freshness is the general idea.
Give the opening a few minutes, and in comes lively spice. It’s never in my face but jumps off the skin and wakes the senses. Consider it a slap of masculinity.
It stays similar after this period. Wood, tobacco, and leather linger up from the base. The large emphasis in the first hour is fresh aromatics and wood.
Over time, the woods get more intense. Led by a prominent pine needle accord and subtle vetiver. It is a very forest-type aroma. There’s greenness, earthiness, and a degree of a conifer nature.
In the background is warm, sweet tobacco that helps break up the woods. Fresh aromatics are present. And leather is only present if you “search” for it. This is what you’ll smell for the rest of the wear.
Ralph Lauren Polo EDT notes:
TOP NOTES
- Juniper Berries
- Basil
- Artemisia
- Caraway
- Coriander
- Bergamot
MID NOTES
- Pine Tree Needles
- Leather
- Chamomile
- Pepper
- Carnation
- Geranium
- Jasmine
- Rose
BASE NOTES
- Tobacco
- Oakmoss
- Patchouli
- Cedar
- Vetiver
- Musk
- Amber
Performance
Polo EDT lasts seven to eight hours on the skin with above-average projection. It pushes out an arm’s length or more for the first few hours before receding. The rest of the wear maintains a couple-foot ambiance.
The more you move around, the louder Polo EDT gets as it leaves a long, dense scent trail. This performance is with three sprays.
This is fall, winter, and early spring wear. You’ll have to moderate your sprays in the spring. If it gets too hot, it’ll become too much. You’ll get six months of wear in a four-season climate.
As for occasions, it is casual wear. This is a loud and decisive scent. It’ll be overwhelming in close-quarter settings. Whereas dates and formal events it doesn’t have the charm for those situations.
Lastly, mass appeal and likability are below average. This is one of the most decisive scents for men. You have to wear this fragrance for yourself and be confident about it. This is one of those fragrances that Ralph Lauren says, “We made an excellent cologne. You either love or hate it, and if you don’t like it, we don’t care.”
Final Words
The best Polo EDT clone is Quorum Antonio Puig. It is very similar, only deviating in the prevalence of the secondary accords but maintaining the dominant aromatic and woody duo.
The final burning question is, is Ralph Lauren Polo EDT worth it? Maybe. It’s a quality and ultra-masculine fragrance with decent performance. But it’s not for everyone. As a younger man in his 20s writing this, Polo EDT is slightly too mature and old-school.
I appreciate the masculinity the fragrance emphasizes, but other quality masculine fragrances are more wearable.
Polo EDT is an excellent cologne and a polo cologne. Yet, don’t just limit yourself to Polo EDT. Check out the best polo colognes for men. All are primed to cut through the cold air; you might just find your signature scent.