Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male EDT
The 90s icon in the sailor-torso bottle that refuses to retire. Sweet, minty, loud — and still one of the most complimented fragrances going.
★★★★☆ 4.3 / 5
The 90s icon in the sailor-torso bottle that refuses to retire. Sweet, minty, loud — and still one of the most complimented fragrances going.
Le Male is one of those fragrances everyone's smelled, even if they don't know the name. It's been knocking around since 1995 and it's still one of the most popular men's fragrances in the UK. There's a reason for that — it's sweet, it's bold, and people notice it.
Up front you get a blast of fresh mint and lavender. Give it ten minutes and it settles into this warm, almost gourmand sweetness — vanilla, tonka bean, a bit of cinnamon. It's cosy without being cloying. Think "lad who's made an effort" rather than "walking dessert".
The projection is serious. Two sprays on the neck and people across the room will catch it. Three sprays and you're announcing your arrival. That's either a selling point or a warning, depending on how you roll.
Le Male works best for blokes who want to be noticed. It's a night-out fragrance first and foremost — pubs, clubs, dates, house parties. It's not an office fragrance. If you're in a shared workspace, your colleagues will know you're there before they see you.
Age-wise, it skews younger (18-30) but honestly, anyone can pull it off if the setting's right. It's particularly good in autumn and winter when that sweet warmth works with the cold air.
Longevity is solid — 6 to 8 hours without respraying, and the base notes linger on clothes even longer. Projection is above average for the first 3-4 hours, then it pulls in closer to the skin as a soft vanilla-amber trail.
For the price (around £45 for 125ml), the performance-to-cost ratio is excellent. You're getting a designer fragrance that punches well above its weight compared to newer releases at double the price.
In the "sweet going-out fragrance" category, Le Male competes with Dior Sauvage (cleaner, more mass-appeal) and Versace Dylan Blue (fresher, more versatile). Le Male is sweeter and bolder than both — it's the one you reach for when you want to stand out, not blend in.
If Le Male's sweetness is too much, try Versace Eros (similar energy but with a fresh mint edge) or Paco Rabanne Invictus (sporty-sweet with less vanilla).
Le Male is a certified classic for a reason. It's loud, it's sweet, and it gets more compliments per spray than almost anything in its price range. Not an everyday scent — but for nights out in autumn and winter, it's still one of the best £45 you'll spend on a fragrance. Just go easy on the trigger.