Le Mâle in the Navy by Jean Paul Gaultier

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Le Mâle in the Navy Jean Paul Gaultier 2018

6.8 / 10 64 Ratings

A perfume by Jean Paul Gaultier for men, released in 2018. The scent is fresh-synthetic. It was last marketed by Puig.
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Main accords

Fresh

Synthetic

Aquatic

Sweet

Woody

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Peppermint

Heart Notes

Marine notes

Base Notes

Ambergris

Vanilla

Perfumers

Quentin Bisch, Nathalie Gracia-Cetto

Ratings

Scent

6.864 Ratings

Longevity

6.455 Ratings

Sillage

6.256 Ratings

Bottle

7.880 Ratings

Value for money

7.338 Ratings

Submitted by Franfan20 · last update on 10/22/2025.

Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Icon Racing

JV x NJ - John Varvatos x Nick Jonas (blue)

Invictus Eau de Toilette

Eros Eau de Toilette

Invictus Aqua (2018)

Reviews

6 in-depth fragrance descriptions

09/21/2020

8Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

ScentSlave
251 Reviews

ScentSlave

5

This one isn’t the best

But it isn’t the worst either. For me, it feels like Invictus got a few shots of testosterone kicked into it. It’s got a similar “bubble gummy” vibe, but it’s a hair more masculine, and a tad more mature. You can definitely feel the similarities, but it’s a bit quieter on how it resonates.

While the projection isn’t what you normally expect from a “Le Male” scent, it’s nowhere near as bad as the word on the street makes it sound. It’s definitely THERE, it’s just not quite as flamboyant as the other members of its family. Maybe a 1-2ft bubble radius. The same factors apply to the sillage trail; it resonates there, just not as loud as one would expect for something that’s similar to Invictus in aromatics. Longevity is also bludgeoned in online reviews, but it gets you 7-8 hours of life. People notice it on you when you stop smelling it. It’s probably the ambroxan fatigue kicking in. As it dries down, the bubblegum notes back off and leave a lighter, very blue, masculine base.

You can tell it’s an attempt to replicate Invictus, but it isn’t a horrible grab, especially now. I grabbed 125ml for $50; at this price it delivers “enough”. If you have an Invictus scent in your collection, you won’t need it, but if you want something more masculine and less loud, this one is something you might want to try.

08/24/2018

7Scent 4Longevity 2Sillage

N471v3
134 Reviews

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N471v3

Helpful Review 8

The scent isn't as salty as I thought... "For Fans"

As a Gaultier perfume enthusiast and "Le Mâle" die-hard fan, I couldn't help but get my hands on this edition as quickly as possible. Just on principle. :) Because I am genuinely excited about their original work, as well as some flankers. Most of all, I love "Le Mâle eau de Toilette," "Le Mâle Eau Fraîche Popeye Edition," "Fleur du Mâle," "Ultra Mâle," and "Le Mâle Terrible."

The scent, I find, doesn't really smell like the Le Mâle DNA for the first time. Well, it doesn't have to, as long as it's good... but what does it smell like then? Honestly, it's hard to say, as it is just SO weak. I'm not exaggerating... even with 20 sprays, you can only smell a very faint veil that soon disappears. Or is the nose just getting tired of it so quickly? Or both? Hm.
In any case, it smells somewhat fresh, salty, sweet. When I bury my nose in the spot on my T-shirt where I intentionally applied it for the "clothing test," it briefly reminds me of Coach for Men.
But the best description is this: It smells extremely similar to Dunhill Icon Racing, just a bit less sweet, fresher, and noticeably weaker. Since Icon Racing also draws parallels to Invictus, some who don't know Icon Racing might recognize this in it. But Icon Racing really hits the nail on the head... although I find the scent of Navy better and more pleasant, but without the performance, that unfortunately doesn't help much. During further testing, it also gave me brief "La Nuit de L'Homme Eau Electrique" moments.
I would say 70% Icon Racing + 30% Eau Electrique = In the Navy.

If I had to try to understand Gaultier, I could explain it like this: When you watch the commercials for "Le Mâle," where muscular guys spray themselves with 1000 sprays after sports... one would think Gaultier wants their fragrances to be applied generously.

Why?

-> Maybe because they think their rather maritime scents work better when applied during sports or in the summer heat, if applied in low concentration but generously and massively? Then you don't offend anyone, but the distribution of the scent aura on the body is more even / better.

-> Or, because they would like people to absorb the "spray effect," the experience *pff pff pff*, more into their consciousness and see it as part of their daily routine? Don't laugh at me!! The sound of a car door closing is meticulously crafted by scientists... for the premium car experience! ;)

-> Or is it simply because they believe they will sell more if people have to bathe in it to feel it?

Hmm... I can already guess how most of you will see this.. ;P Feel free to tell us in the replies!

I just hope this isn't a sign that PUIG is now completely sinking the Gaultier brand... -.-

I found the original Le Mâle so great because it made a statement. It was a bit edgy and provocative, almost intrusive with its spice blend, probably due to the tarragon, lavender, etc.; but it still had something attractive and appealed to most because the sweetness and freshness provided a veil over it all that softened it.
This contrasting interplay was also so strong in intensity, even with 1-2 sprays of the vintage version, that it added even more to the whole and made it even more distinctive. (And exhausting if someone overdid it excessively...)

And I would really find it a shame if the brand no longer tried to uphold this spirit in a worthy manner. I mean, is it so hard to dare a little more and step out of the comfort zone? I know there is quite a bit of affordable competition now, and it probably doesn't come from nowhere that Gaultier has sold out / been bought or something.
Where Le Mâle Terrible was a step in the right direction for me, although also already weaker in concentration but still good and daring, this is now a bit of an indictment. Not very independent anymore, and also weaker than usual. The Eau Fraîche Popeye Edition is very successful though! Was that before PUIG?

Never has the label "For Fans" fit so well... because anyone who is not an idealist and lover of the brand, or has a screw loose like me, or both, is really well advised to get Dunhill Icon Racing for a fraction of the price, and thus already celebrate the intense version of "In the Navy," which will only be available in Austria in March. (:

EDIT: We're reporting live from the testing ground! I just applied a massive dose again, 2x underarms, 4x under the shirt, 2x on the neck, and 3x on the arms... In this dose, the salty scent comes across almost citrusy. And yes, now it's really good. Let's see how long haha ^^

12/27/2018

4Scent 4Longevity 4Sillage

Prophetfive
3 Reviews

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Prophetfive

6

Ahoy sailor, ahoy! ;-)

LE MALE by Jean Paul Gaultier ....
This bottle and its scent have been with me since the mid-90s.
I have already noticed in everyday life and of course here in the forum that this
name associated with the fragrance divides opinions and tastes.
For my part, I still remember very well how I had to have this scent with a bottle
packaged as a male torso in a tin can (how crazy! ;-) ) with my apprentice salary - no matter how it actually smells or how it smells on me.
In the meantime, there are several LE MALE fragrance versions that I mostly have
in my collection. Today, or rather in 2018, there was an announcement for
LE MALE - IN THE NAVY. Unfortunately, this fragrance was not available at any of my usual
places - and it also seemed difficult to get it online.
At least in the online stores I know here.
By chance, I was able to win this edition as a "buy it now bargain".
Here on the perfume site, I was able to get a first impression -
of what this time awaits me as a fragrance variation.
The scent actually arrived unopened and after unpacking, the first spray
went directly under the shirt on my skin.
The first impression was rather unpleasant.
I found the scent to be light & very chemical & salty.
For me, there was no trace of mint ...
This smell reminds me a lot of my time in the Bundeswehr.
I mean, some items back then smelled like that too.
Not really sexy.
For me, one spray was absolutely enough.
That the scent should be very weak was
not something I could relate to.
However, it actually doesn't take long for the salty smell to fade
and only a light hint of vanilla can be sensed.
As much as I like the fragrances of Jean Paul Gaultier -
this one is really not for me.
There was surely a vision from the creators of this fragrance.
I am glad that I was able to get it for myself - I certainly won't sell it.
But 2019 is just around the corner and I suspect that
there will be a new vision for LE MALE then.
Until then, I will enjoy the other fragrances in my collection.
;-)

02/11/2021

nasivin
5 Reviews

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nasivin

6

Doseee!

Honestly, Le Male is my "heavyweight" motorcycle scent that I wear very often and usually only alternate with Kouros or Issey Miyake. I bought the NAVY solely because of the brilliant can - and without trying it beforehand - just like the AVIATOR, which is a must for me as a passionate air breather.
Both are visual can statements; the Navy guy smells - to me - pleasant; he is not as "unnoticeable" as has been complained about here before. I've been smelling him for some time, of course: (also) my(!) nose gets used to these relatively quickly - for those around me, however, he remains recognizable (= if I can't smell anything anymore, I turn around while walking and can still surprisingly perceive quite a lot in the slipstream). And I am definitely not the re-sprayer par excellence - I never do that. An unfortunate (are there others?) Austrian politician once coined the much-ridiculed term "situationally elastic," which I've adapted for the NAVY: it is, for me, the situation-independent scent, when you need to step out quickly and can't really sample much, you can't go wrong with it in case of doubt.
I find him likable, yep!

07/07/2023

6Scent 6Longevity 10Sillage

FragrancePD
11 Reviews

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FragrancePD

1

In the Navy ️

One of the worst fragrances of all time, of course the one from Le Mâle Eau de Toilette lasts quite briefly as an eau de toilette, I don't like all of them.

This one feels too short, you only perceive it for a moment. I tested it again yesterday, just before work I sprayed a bit more than enough.

You don't really get approached about it. I even asked if they could smell me today, unfortunately no.

I like its freshness, the mint stands out a lot, the rest doesn't really come to the fore.

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