Lacoste Red Lacoste 2004 Eau de Toilette

Often, it’s worth taking a second look before putting a perfume in a specific category. With Lacoste, this is sometimes labeled as: mid-priced and of average quality, mass-compatible, somehow fresh and youthful, but all without depth. However, excellent perfumers also create for these brands. Just take Annick Ménardo in the case of "Lacoste Red/Style in Play."

She has already gifted us several masterpieces (including "Body Kouros," "Armani City Glam for Him," "Bvlgari Black," "Acqua di Giò pour Homme," "Au Maskulin") and her creations are at least undoubtedly often very distinctive and inventive. She often combines woody notes with fruity undertones. The best example of this is the wood apple "Boss Bottled." I like the German designer apple that has conquered the world, but I find a scent in this direction even finer, and that’s what I’m discussing here. "Lacoste Red/Style in Play" is, for me, the subtler and more harmonious evolution of "Boss Bottled." I don’t always crave the latter; often I have the impression that the blend of apple and wood here is somewhat raw and implies a certain toughness that is distinctive and gives it edges and corners, but for which one must be in a certain mood.

"Lacoste Red/Style in Play," on the other hand, comes across much lighter, but not in terms of longevity and intensity. It may be fruitier; here you find the freshness of red apples. Slightly candied, but not overly so, so to speak. The woodiness is integrated more finely, rounding it off in a nonchalantly masculine way. This is delightful and provides a certain fresh deodorant effect without being too synthetic. For the warmer days, "Lacoste Red/Style in Play" is one of my favorites that can be worn anytime. I loved it as a teenager, and the scent was a hit. This still holds true today, as it appears fresh and youthful, but is by no means confined to that category. It already brings enough masculine attitudes with it.

In direct comparison with "Boss Bottled," Ménardo has worked here more finely and less angular. Those who can also complain at a high level about the Boss and feel similarly should definitely test "Lacoste Red/Style in Play" as an alternative, and likewise, one can like both for good reason. Personally, I prefer Ménardo's French apple, so it always has a place in my collection as an all-rounder for the warmer days.