Ralph Lauren’s Polo collection dates back to the 1970s, and even after more than 50 years, this cologne range is still relevant and worn and loved by many!
Today I will be covering one of the Polo colognes, which is not the most popular but is one of the top contenders in this Ralph Lauren series – Polo Green.
It’s not just any fragrance; it is a cologne that makes a statement.
Hence, in this article, I will break down the scent of this classic men’s fragrance and introduce to you the best dupes and alternatives to this cologne.
So, if that’s what you are looking for, read till the end.
What Does Polo Green Smell Like?
Polo for Men was created by Carlos Benaim and launched in the late 1970s. Now it is more commonly known as Polo Green owing to this family’s many additions of Polo fragrances.
It is a masculine, woody, green, sort of grassy scent that resonates with men who like to feel classy.
The iconic Polo Green is the most well-known member of the Polo family and is widely considered among the best colognes available to men. It is also regarded to have the most sillage and a strong personality.
It is worth noting that the classic Polo Green smell is the only one that does not contain any floral notes, with the exception of a trace of chamomile – hence, it is a wholly masculine aroma.
In order to help you better understand the scent of Polo Green, I have included a breakdown of its notes below.
Top Notes: Juniper Berries, Artemisia, Basil, Caraway, Coriander and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Pine Tree Needles, Leather, Chamomile, Pepper, Carnation, Geranium, Jasmine and Rose
Base Notes: Tobacco, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Cedar, Vetiver, Musk and Amber
Overall, this classic Polo Green is a sophisticated fragrance.
It is very green and crisp. The pepper, cedar, patchouli, and tobacco bring a sense of coziness to the fragrance, while the initial notes of leather in pine provide a pleasant start.
This aroma contains a significant amount of spiciness, and winter months are perfect for using this earthy, manly aroma. You can also use it in summer, but I recommend opting out or wearing very little.
What Fragrances Are Similar to Polo Green?
Since you are now aware of Polo Green, you are probably curious about this cologne’s possible dupes and whether those options can compete with the original Polo.
In order to give you the most authentic answer, I did mass market research.
I think it is safe to say that I have encountered numerous scents that attempt to imitate the scent of the original Polo, some of which do it fairly successfully while others do so less so.
I have narrowed the selection down to the best 5 colognes that have a comparable fragrance and work incredibly well, and I have gathered all of the information that you need to know about these colognes.
So, here is my list of the 5 best alternatives to Polo Green:
Quorum by Antonio Puig
Top Notes: Artemisia, Caraway, Lemon, Bergamot and Grapefruit
Middle Notes: Pine Tree, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Carnation, Cyclamen and Jasmine
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Tobacco, Leather and Amber
The first cologne on this list is Quorum by Antonio Puig. Quorum was curated by Carlos Benaim, Rosendo Mateu, and Max Gavarry and launched in 1981. Much like the original Polo, this one is also a classic scent.
When you spray this scent, the overlap in the notes is very apparent. Quorum exudes an aroma similar to that of Polo Green, and the two colognes have excellent quality.
The pine, oakmoss, leather and tobacco are very prominent in this scent and create a masculine, grassy and smokey overall scent.
However, a key difference between these two scents is the presence of floral notes in this cologne. Quorum has its fair share of white florals, but the scent is still fairly masculine.
It unquestionably possesses a lot of vintage features and a lot of traditionally manly qualities, both of which will appeal to the preferences of men with a traditional taste, plus it’s budget-friendly.
When to Wear
Quorum is an ideal scent for fall and winter. It has limited use in warmer weather but still works as a great option for parties and formal events. It complements the user at all times of the day, so it is quite versatile.
Why Should You Buy
- Similar scent to Polo Green.
- Masculine aroma.
- Slightly floral.
- Long-lasting fragrance.
- Strong sillage.
- Great value for the price.
- Versatile scent.
Italian Cypress by Tom Ford
Next on the list is Italian Cypress by Tom Ford. It is a unisex scent created by Carlos Benaim and launched in 2008.
This scent’s vibe is identical to that of Polo Green on my nose. It has a similar woody aroma encompassed by crisp green notes. The citrus plays out beautifully in the opening, followed by a cool mint and lots of grassy aromas.
It has impressive longevity and decent sillage. Moreover, the green notes seem to linger much longer, even when the rest of the cologne has dissipated.
Overall, it’s a great scent to own and a lovely option for you if you are into the earthy, grassy aroma.
However, there’s one drawback – it’s quite expensive.
When to Wear
Italian Cypress is quite a versatile scent. You can find its use in any and every season throughout the year. It is also wearable during both daytime and nighttime. However, I’d say that it’s best suited for fall as it complements the weather splendidly.
Why Should You Buy
- Similar scent to Polo Green.
- Crisp, green aroma.
- Great longevity.
Handsome by Paris Elysees
Top Notes: Pine, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Coriander
Middle Notes: Cedar, Vetiver, Pepper and Artemisia
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Tobacco, Patchouli and Leather
The next cologne on the list is Handsome by Paris Elysees, launched in the early 2000s.
Much like Polo Green, Handsome has a green and woody aroma. The cologne’s keynotes are the same, and I’d say this one is a well-developed dupe of the original Polo.
The oakmoss, tobacco and leather create a warm and cozy aroma, which initially starts off with delightful pine, coriander and eucalyptus.
There is a hint of spiciness, which is also quite likable. Overall, it has an excellent aroma.
Moreover, it has an incredibly affordable price range, and the performance of the cologne is remarkable for this price point.
When to Wear
This Paris Elysees scent is perfect for fall and winter. It’s not ideal for warmer weather, as the scent may feel a little overbearing. However, it can be used in a variety of casual and formal settings throughout the day.
Why Should You Buy
- Similar scent to Polo Green.
- Much more affordable than Polo Green.
- Excellent value for the price.
- Great masculine overall scent.
Esencia pour Homme by Loewe
Top Notes: Lavender, Green Notes, Juniper Berries, Tarragon, Bergamot, Galbanum, Lemon, Artemisia and Petitgrain
Middle Notes: Pine Tree Needles, Basil, Nutmeg, Clary Sage, Geranium, Neroli, Rose, Black Currant, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Fir, Oakmoss, Leather, Vetiver, Cedar, Styrax, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk and Tonka Bean
A beautiful Fougere fragrance, Esencia pour Homme by Loewe is another cologne that mimics the fragrance of Polo Green quite well.
Esencia was launched in 1988 and created by the famous perfumer Olivier Cresp. It is a fresh, green classic for men.
The scent of this cologne is very layered – when you first spray it, the green, spicy and citrus notes play out well. Gradually the pine, basil, sage and floral notes come into action.
Eventually, the warm base notes set the tone for a traditional, mature, masculine aroma.
When to Wear
Esencia pour Homme is a great cologne for most seasons. You can wear it effortlessly in fall, winter and spring. However, you might want to avoid it during the hotter months.
It is also better suited for nighttime events than during the day. Plus, it is excellent for any sort of semi-casual, formal occasion.
Why Should You Buy
- Similar scent to Polo Green.
- Mature, strong scent.
- Very long-lasting scent.
- Good value for the price.
Spirit for Men by Avon
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Lemon and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Violet Leaf and Jasmine
Base Notes: Woody Notes, Amber and Musk
The last cologne on the list is Spirit for Men by Avon, launched in 2005. It is an interesting dupe of Polo Green because not all the notes in this one are duplicates of the original Polo, but the aroma is still very reminiscent of its fragrance.
This cologne has a touch of florals and unique use of aldehydes in it, which imitates the pine you get in the original Polo. Moreover, the woody notes create a warm base similar to the classic scent we are looking for.
Even though it has moderate performance in terms of longevity and sillage, it offers a great scent at a highly affordable price range.
I think it’s an excellent cologne to own and use on the go.
When to Wear
Spirit for Men is best for winter, but it can be worn during any season throughout the year. It doesn’t last very long, so you might have to carry it around and reapply it from time to time. It’s great for casual events and outdoor activities.
Why Should You Buy
- Similar scent to Polo Green.
- Very affordable alternative.
- Great for everyday use.
- Good value for the price.
Conclusion
Finding the ideal dupe or alternative for a perfume you enjoy might be challenging, but not if you have a list of the best alternative colognes on the market right now!
I have picked out the best for you among the excellent replicas of the magnificent green, woodsy, and manly Polo cologne.
Despite the fact that the smell-alike colognes in this article have some different notes of their own, they all fundamentally follow the same pattern.
To help you find the best match, I’ve included both premium and inexpensive Polo Green dupes in this article. I have no doubt that you won’t be let down if you try any of these colognes.
Now, comment below and let me know which option you choose and which fragrance I should discuss next!
