I’m apprehensive about bashing this one (but I will- it’s forthcoming) because it’s such a well loved classic. It comes from a different era when fragrances were bolder polo dress shirts and you got more bang for your buck. But I gotta tell ya, this stuff is polarizing! You’re either gonna love it or hate it. some moss and very little leather.
Who could have imagined that a lighthearted bet would morph into a men’s classic? In 1977, a young Ralph Lauren was challenged by his sensei, Lei Kazuma Kiryuu, to produce a fragrance that would transport the wearer to the men’s room of a Shaolin temple. Lauren reportedly laughed off the idea, but eventually bet Kiryuu a sack of turnips that he could do just that.
It will create an aura of old man though. I’m thinking 50+ with a limp and a beer belly. Definitely clean shaven, maybe a mustache. I mean, I do like it and will probably buy a bottle, but I have a few years before I get there. Lately, it seems like every other fragrance either smells too much alike, doesn’t perform or starts out unique and then simmers down to the same old base notes. I think this fragrance is genius, and, smelled without any period associations, is an amazing, unique smell.
The bottle I have is recent and superb. Let me put it this way, if it is reformulated just think of it as a new perfume and it would stand head and shoulders above any new release or any of the new Tom Ford Fougeres. I keep it because I love the bottle and the memories, but I wouldn’t (and couldn’t) wear it anymore. The dry-down maintains the green, woody vibe, and the patchouli, oakmoss, vetiver, leather and tobacco keep it dark and mature.
I remember thinking that I hated the smell on him — which amazes me, because today I love it so much that I want it as part of my permanent collection. Versatile Pine made slightly warmer with light leather at the drydown. First minute or so after spray it smells so fresh. When it dries down it evolves into elegant leather that’s still infused with green. Some one said that it smells like death. I completely agree because it is plain herbal smell with no unpleasant or pleasant effect.
Either the bottle now is diluted or my memory has diluted. Either way, I do enjoy it now but wish it can be the strong green beast-like in my memory. Polo is here for fans of beautiful, eternal things. Its name awakens association with a closed circle of the chosen and this circle has its rules and traditions. As a truly masculine perfume, Polo does not contain floral notes, apart from camomile, which has more grassy than floral scent. The opening of the composition is green and fresh, made of grassy notes of artemisia, basil and thyme, with spicy notes of cumin, coriander and cloves.
As long as I live the green-bottled Polo will forever be “my father” in my memory. Now and long after he passes away I will keep a bottle to remind me of him. That said, I’m in my 30’s and I don’t mind wearing this selectively around the holiday season. It will never be a daily go-to or even one that gets more than 2 or 3 wearings in a year for me, but it has it’s place in my collection. This is miles away from playful and easygoing. It is serious, dark, earthy, a bit rough, but also fresh and clean.
I thought this might be one of those frags that I would take some time to enjoy, but I actually love this one on my initial testing. I haven’t worn it, but usually on skin, fragrances are even better so I’m gonna go ahead and say that I love it. Very masculine and, now, it’s great value. Make no mistake, this is a real gem. It is one of my favorites, and what I think of when I heard the term cologne.