Even if you’ve got a fragrance collection which commands its own room of the house – you can admit it, it’s ok, there’s no judgement here – there’s something to be said for adding something affordable to the rotation.
Whether it’s simply to pop into your gym bag without fear of breaking something more expensive, or to wear on those days when you’re not really going anywhere or doing anything, but still want to smell great, there’s a place for cut-price scent.
Recently, I got my hands on a bottle of Lacoste’s L.1212 Bleu. That’s a new fragrance which follows a familiar pattern – the L1212 series is a popular part of the brand’s current catalogue, with Blanc, Noir and Silver Grey editions.
Something Blue
If your high school French still serves you well, you’ll probably already know what kind of scent this is. Blue scents are categorised as those with fresh and aquatic properties – like the perfect shower gel scent – and have found a lot of popularity in recent years.
That’s what you’ll find here. The overall composition is very uncomplicated, which is not uncommon for scents at this price point. You’ll find a woody base of cedar and vetiver, heart notes of lavender and geranium and a top of yuzu and ginger.
If that sounds a little messy to you, you’ll be glad to hear it doesn’t translate in that way. The wood base is perfect for keeping things feeling masculine, and the fresh top notes give a lightness to the scent. It’s not citrussy, but the effect it gives is broadly similar to how those scents would work.
Scent from a simpler time
On my skin, this presents like a really classic men’s fragrance. It’s the sort of thing you’d associate with the 90s, and feels instantly homely. Longevity is also better than you’d expect. It’s an Eau de Parfum strength, which certainly helps, but I also think the simpler make-up means there’s less competition for your nose.
It certainly doesn’t project like some I’ve tried, but that’s fine. In practical use, it’s more than enough, and it’s inoffensive enough to reapply without gassing those around you.
Priced at £37 (approx. $50) for the 50ml bottle and £53 (approx. $71) for the 100ml bottle, this is a much more affordable option which punches above its weight. It’s a safe enough option for just about all men, and makes for a reliable grab’n’go option.