Lacoste Fragrance review

Lacoste Style in Play Review: Fresh Woody Elegance

A crisp, green apple opening that evolves into a woody, musky embrace—perfect for the modern man.

By Vivir ·
Lacoste Style in Play, launched in 2004, is a fragrance that captures the essence of dynamic masculinity. Composed by the renowned Annick Menardo, this woody floral musk for men is a testament to her ability to weave together contrasting elements into a harmonious whole. From the first spritz, you are greeted with a burst of crisp green apple and thuja, a combination that is both invigorating and subtly resinous. As the scent unfolds, a heart of pine tree, jasmine, and cedar emerges, adding depth and a touch of floral sweetness. Finally, a base of white musk, vetiver, and patchouli grounds the composition, leaving a soft, musky trail that lingers on the skin. Style in Play is often described as a more complex version of Lacoste Red, and it shares a similar crisp-apple signature with Boss Bottled, another Menardo creation. This fragrance is a versatile companion for the modern man, equally at home in the office, at the gym, or during a casual daytime outing. Its fresh, fruity, and woody character makes it particularly suited for spring and summer, though it can be worn year-round. While its performance is moderate—longevity of 4-6 hours and soft to moderate sillage—vintage batches reportedly offer better projection and tenacity. Despite being discontinued, Style in Play remains a beloved choice for those who appreciate a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-wear scent that never fails to uplift.
Longevity
3.0
Projection
3.0
Sillage
2.0
$40-$90
SpringSummerFallWinter

Accords

Woody Aromatic Fruity Green Fresh Musky White Floral

Notes Pyramid

Top
Green AppleThuja
Heart
Pine TreeJasmineCedar
Base
White MuskVetiverPatchouli

Scent Journey

1
Opening 0-30 min

The first 0-30 minutes bursts with crisp green apple and thuja, a sweet-and-sour freshness that is both invigorating and slightly resinous.

2
Heart 1-2 hrs

The heart reveals a woody-aromatic blend of pine tree, jasmine, and cedar, adding depth and a touch of floral sweetness.

3
Drydown 4+ hrs

After 4+ hours, the base of white musk, vetiver, and patchouli emerges, leaving a soft, musky, and slightly earthy trail.

Performance Dashboard

Longevity 3.0/5

4-6 hours (moderate; vintage batches reportedly longer)

Projection 3.0/5

moderate for the first 1-2 hours, then close to skin

Sillage 2.0/5

moderate to soft

When to Wear

SpringBest
SummerBest
FallOK
WinterOK
casual daytimeofficegym / post-workoutschool / collegewarm-weather outings

Pros & Cons

  • Crisp, refreshing opening
  • Versatile for daytime and warm weather
  • Pleasant, crowd-pleasing scent
  • Good value for a designer fragrance
  • Moderate longevity and sillage
  • May be too light for some
  • Discontinued, so prices may rise
  • Not very complex or unique

Price & Value

$40-$90
Good value for a discontinued fragrance if found at retail; secondary market prices vary.

“Worth it for fans of fresh woody scents, but performance is moderate.”

Reformulation History

Vintage 2004 batches reportedly have better longevity and projection than later batches.

Who It's For

Ideal For

  • men who enjoy fresh, woody, and fruity fragrances
  • those seeking a versatile daytime scent
  • fans of Boss Bottled and similar crisp apple scents

Not Recommended For

  • those who prefer strong, long-lasting fragrances
  • individuals who dislike sweet or fruity notes
  • those looking for a winter powerhouse

Explore More

Similar Fragrances

Lacoste Red Lacoste Red Lacoste
Boss Bottled Boss Bottled Hugo Boss
DKNY Be Delicious Men Donna Karan
1949 Red Gant

Clone Alternatives

1949 Red Gant

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Layering Ideas

Final Verdict

Lacoste Style in Play is a delightful fresh woody fragrance that excels in warm weather and casual settings. While its performance is moderate, its crisp apple and pine notes create a memorable and pleasant experience. A worthy addition to any collection, especially for fans of Annick Menardo's work.

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