Top 5 Colognes Similar to Le Male [Ultimate Dupes 2024]

If you are familiar with the fragrance industry, then there is no way that you are unaware of Le Male – one of the most popular men’s colognes by Jean Paul Gaultier.

Hundreds have loved this traditional and iconic cologne; however, I have had a lot of people come up to me asking about dupes of this scent.

Hence, I decided to take matters into my own hands and dig up the best replicas of this popular scent.

So, if you are looking for a clone of Le Male, then you are in the right place – just read till the end and get your hands on the ultimate alternatives of this Jean Paul cologne.

What Does Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Smell Like?

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier was launched in 1995  and created by the famous perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. It is a Fougere men’s cologne that’s fresh, woody and ambery.

Le Male starts off with brilliant, vibrant citrus, mint, lavender, cinnamon and spices, the result is a captivating freshness that develops beautifully.

As the scent develops, you can detect the warm notes becoming more prominent. You can smell the vanilla while amber, tonka bean and woody notes take center stage.

To help you better understand the cologne, I have included the notes in detail below:

Top Notes: Lavender, Mint, Cardamom, Bergamot and Artemisia

Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Orange Blossom and Caraway

Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, Sandalwood and Cedar

Besides its aroma, Le Male is also very versatile, and you can pull it off in almost any setting during any season of the year. However, it is best suited for winter.

The performance is also remarkable as it lasts more than 10 hours at times, and the projection is also decent. Nonetheless, given its reputation and attributes, the sillage and projection could have been better.

What Fragrances Are Similar to Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male?

Now let’s move on to the real deal: Colognes that smell like Le Male.

It is normal to look for cheaper alternatives or dupes that are more refined, smell better, or simply have a nice touch in addition to the irresistible aura of Le Male.

Since it’s so popular, countless alternatives and dupes have been seen in the market since the late 90s. However, most of them were not up to the mark.

Regardless, some imitations were made that not only mimicked the cologne brilliantly but even surpassed Le Male itself in terms of scent, longevity, and/or sillage.

Hence, I have created this list of the top contenders in my eyes (or should I say to my nose?).

So, here is my list of the 5 best alternatives to Le Male: 

Cuba Gold by Cuba Paris

The first cologne on the list is Cuba Gold by Cuba Paris.

It is a refreshing, woody aroma that kicks off with bright citrus and spicy pepper. Gradually the scent develops into a smooth lavender, amber aroma with a touch of vanilla and tonka bean.

The similarities with Le Male are undeniable, but this one has slightly enhanced floral notes and less spicy elements.

However, that doesn’t take away from the scent. The performance is decent, lasts around 6 hours and has moderate sillage.

This cologne is extremely affordable and an absolute steal, in my opinion. So, if you are looking for an affordable alternative to Le Male, then this is the one that you should opt for.

When to Wear

Cuba Gold can be worn almost anywhere, but it is best for cooler seasons. The scent isn’t particularly exciting, but it can be worn to parties and casual events alike.

Why Should You Buy

Luna Rossa Sport by Prada

Next on the list is Luna Rossa Sport by Prada, launched in 2015 and created by Daniela Roche Andrier.

This one is a clean, fresh, mature fragrance that embodies the scent of Le Male quite well.

The opening is very pleasant as you get a blend of subtle sweetness of juniper berries and spicy ginger. The lavender heart of the cologne sets a powdery, refreshing tone.

It is not a particularly complex cologne, but as it dries down, the vanilla and tonka bean create a warm smoothness that feels delightful with the sweet opening.

Luna Rossa Sport isn’t particularly budget-friendly as it is more expensive than the JPG cologne, but it sure is a great alternative to Le Male.

When to Wear

Luna Rossa Sport is quite a versatile scent. It complements any season, so you can wear it all year round and at any time of the day. Moreover, it suits formal events as well as everyday wear to work.

Why Should You Buy

360° White for Men by Perry Ellis

Launched in 2005, 360° White for Men by Perry Ellis is the next cologne on this list. It has a similar scent profile as Le Male and gives you a similar experience at a fraction of the price.

Initially, 360° White is much more vibrant and spicier than Le Male as the bergamot, lime, and cardamom take center stage.

As the scent settles, the vanilla, musk and tonka bean give it a pleasant coziness that blends well with the fresh spirit of the scent.

The citrus notes, however, are much more persistent and remain throughout the scent’s duration.

It is an excellent cologne at an affordable price range that provides good longevity and projection (especially given its price point).

When to Wear

360° White is great for spring and fall. You can also wear it during winter and summer. It is also very useful as you can wear it to pretty much any event at any given time of the day. So, I would say it gets bonus points for versatility.

Why Should You Buy

212 Sexy Men by Carolina Herrera

212 Sexy Men by Carolina Herrera was created by Alberto Morillas and Rosendo Mateu and released in 2006. It is a close replica of Le Male, and much like Le Male, it is a Fougere, Ambery cologne.

It starts with sweet citrus notes but has a freshness that makes it desirable. It gives rise to a sensual yet lively and refreshing aroma.

As the scent evolves from citrus and spicy to floral to warm, cozy amber and musk, it sets the tone right and makes a beautiful overall aroma.

It is quite easy to pull off and gets the wearer a lot of compliments. Plus, it is relatively less expensive and has great performance, given the price.

When to Wear

212 Sexy Men is more wearable in the cooler seasons, so I think fall and winter are the best seasons to pull it off. It can get a bit overbearing if the weather is too hot, so make sure to use it less during summer. However, it has plenty of use and can be worn in formal, semi-formal and casual events alike.

Why Should You Buy

Darley by Parfums de Marly

Last but not least, we have Darley by Parfums de Marly, created by Francis Deleamont and released in 2009. This is another Fougere fragrance that closely resembles the scent of Le Male.

Darley has a similar slight sweetness accompanied by fresh citrus, lavender, spices and cinnamon that eventually develops with a warm, woody, amber base.

Just like Le Male, this one makes me feel fresh yet cozy and confident.

The floral notes in this masculine cologne are expressed more than in Le Male, which adds to the scent’s layers.

Moreover, Darley’s performance is remarkable. The only drawback is the price, as it is quite an expensive cologne.

When to Wear

Darley by Parfums de Marly can be worn in any season, but it’s best suited for spring, summer and fall. You can wear it to daytime and nighttime events, which is especially great for formal occasions.

Why Should You Buy

Conclusion

I know it is difficult to find the appropriate dupe or substitute for a scent you really like, but not if you have a list of the top alternative colognes available right now!

Out of all the fantastic Le Male reproductions, I’ve picked out the closest ones for you.

I’ve included both pricey and affordable Le Male dupes in this post to help you get the right match for yourself.

If you sample any of these colognes, I have no doubt that you won’t be disappointed, as they are all refreshing amber delights.

Please share your pick in the comments section below, along with the scent I should cover next.