Ralph Lauren Big Pony 4 For Women Review: A Vibrant, Sporty Floral for the Confident Spirit
Discover the playful, energetic charm of this citrus-floral delight from the iconic Big Pony collection.
In the world of designer fragrances, few collections capture youthful exuberance and sporty chic quite like Ralph Lauren's Big Pony series. Launched in 2011, the Big Pony collection was a bold, colorful departure from the brand's more traditional, preppy offerings. It was designed to speak to a younger, more dynamic generation—those who saw fragrance not just as an accessory, but as an extension of their active, vibrant lifestyle. The collection featured four distinct scents for men and four for women, each identified by a numbered pony and a corresponding color, creating a playful, collectible aesthetic that was instantly recognizable.
Big Pony 4 For Women, distinguished by its vibrant green bottle and the number 4, was positioned as the fresh, energetic member of the quartet. While its siblings explored fruity, floral, and oriental territories, Number 4 carved out its niche as a crisp, green, and slightly sporty floral. It was conceived not for formal galas or quiet evenings, but for the woman on the move—the one who balances a busy schedule with a zest for life. The concept was clear: a fragrance that felt as refreshing as a cool breeze and as uplifting as a burst of energy, perfect for throwing on after a workout, before a casual brunch, or to add a spark to an ordinary day.
The inspiration is pure, unadulterated vitality. Imagine the feeling of a sunny morning, dew still on the grass, with the promise of a day full of possibilities. This is the essence Big Pony 4 aims to bottle. It's less about a specific memory and more about an attitude: confident, approachable, and refreshingly uncomplicated. In the fragrance community, it developed a reputation as a reliable, crowd-pleasing "freshie"—a scent that's easy to wear, hard to dislike, and perfect for those who find heavy, complex perfumes overwhelming. It became a staple for many as a signature daytime scent or a trusted backup for hot weather.
While it may not have the cult status of some niche fragrances, Big Pony 4 holds a special place as an accessible gateway into the world of perfumery. It represents a specific moment in time for Ralph Lauren, where the brand successfully tapped into a more casual, athletic-inspired luxury. For the wearer, it's a scent that doesn't demand attention but consistently earns it through its cheerful, clean, and utterly likable character. It's the olfactory equivalent of a bright smile—simple, effective, and universally appealing.
The Nose Behind the Scent
The perfumer behind Ralph Lauren Big Pony 4 For Women is not publicly credited in most official materials, which is common for many designer fragrances where the house's in-house team or a contracted perfumer creates the scent under the brand's direction. The Ralph Lauren fragrance line has collaborated with renowned noses and firms like Firmenich and Givaudan over the years. The scent profile suggests the work of a skilled composer who understands how to balance bright citrus and clean florals for a mass-appealing, energetic effect.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The fragrance bursts onto the skin with an exhilarating, slightly tart splash of grapefruit and mandarin orange. It's instantly uplifting and clean, backed by a crisp, dewy greenness that feels like crushed leaves. This opening is linear for a good 20-30 minutes—it's all about that vibrant, sporty citrus freshness that defines the scent's personality.
As the initial citrus sharpness softens, the heart reveals itself. A delicate bouquet of lily-of-the-valley and freesia emerges, adding a soft, clean floralcy. The peony lends a subtle, airy sweetness, but this is not a heavy, powdery floral. The transition is seamless; the scent becomes smoother, rounder, and slightly more feminine, while retaining its essential freshness. It feels like the crisp morning has gently warmed into a pleasant, flower-filled afternoon.
After several hours, the fragrance settles into a soft, intimate embrace. The clean, skin-like warmth of white musk becomes the star, supported by a whisper of dry cedarwood and a hint of amber that provides a faint, comforting glow. The citrus and florals are mere ghosts in the background. This drydown is subtle, clean, and incredibly wearable—it clings close to the skin like the memory of a refreshing shower.
Performance Dashboard
Lasts approximately 4-6 hours on skin, which is typical for a fresh citrus EDT. It's a daytime scent, not built for all-night wear.
Projects moderately for the first 1-2 hours, creating a personal freshness bubble. It becomes a skin scent relatively quickly.
Leaves a very light trail. This is not a scent that announces your arrival from down the hall; it's for those in your immediate vicinity to enjoy.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Receives consistent, positive comments for being 'fresh,' 'clean,' and 'nice.' It's a safe, likable scent that people enjoy being near, often described as 'you smell good' rather than 'what perfume is that?'
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Extremely pleasant and inoffensive scent profile
- ✅ Perfect for hot weather and active days
- ✅ Very affordable for a designer fragrance
- ✅ Bright, cheerful, and mood-boosting opening
- ✅ Clean, musky drydown that smells like fresh skin
- ❌ Below-average longevity for those used to EDPs
- ❌ Very light sillage and projection after the first hour
- ❌ Scent profile is simple and not particularly unique or complex
- ❌ The citrus top notes can fade quickly on some skin chemistries
Price & Value
“Excellent value for money. It's an affordable way to own a cheerful, well-made designer fragrance that's perfect for casual, frequent wear without breaking the bank.”
📜 Reformulation History
No significant reformulation history or widespread batch variation issues are widely reported for this fragrance. As a relatively recent and mass-produced designer scent, consistency across batches is generally maintained. The primary concentration has remained an EDT since its launch.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Young women (teens to late 20s)
- Those with active, casual lifestyles
- Fragrance beginners seeking something easy and pleasant
- Anyone who loves clean, fresh, non-cloying scents
- Individuals who prefer light, airy florals over heavy orientals
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those seeking extreme longevity and projection
- Lovers of deep, spicy, or gourmand fragrances
- Individuals looking for a formal, evening-appropriate scent
The Family
A fruity-floral with red apple and wild berries, in a red bottle.
A floral-oriental with pink peony and vanilla, in a pink bottle.
A fresh floral with water lily and white freesia, in a blue bottle.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a vibrant, aquatic citrus opening, though Light Blue is more marine and has better longevity.
A more sophisticated and longer-lasting citrus-floral with a similar fresh, clean, and energetic vibe.
Another classic mood-boosting citrus fragrance known for its bright, cheerful character.
A more aquatic and floral take on the fresh, clean theme, with a distinctive lotus note.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Offers a similar bright, citrusy, and clean profile at a fraction of the price, though with typical Zara longevity.
Captures the bright, clean citrus and musk vibe in body care form (mists, lotions) for a very low cost.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
A playful, fruity-floral with a similar youthful and cheerful energy.
For those who love the clean, green, and refreshing aspects of Big Pony 4.
A more nuanced and mineralic take on fresh, clean, and aquatic scents.
More from Ralph Lauren
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple vanilla body lotion to add a touch of warmth and sweetness to the drydown.
- A light, clean musk perfume oil to boost the longevity and skin-scent quality.
- A grapefruit or mandarin-focused fragrance to amplify the citrus opening.
🏆 Final Verdict
Ralph Lauren Big Pony 4 For Women is not a fragrance that will change the world of perfumery, and it doesn't try to. Its charm lies in its delightful simplicity and unwavering commitment to being a source of fresh, clean joy. In a market saturated with intense oudhs, syrupy gourmands, and challenging niche creations, there is a profound virtue in a scent that simply makes you—and those around you—feel good.
You should buy Big Pony 4 if you are building your first fragrance wardrobe and need a reliable, sunny-day staple. Buy it if you have a collection full of heavy hitters and crave something light and effortless for the gym, the grocery store, or a casual coffee date. Buy it for its incredible value, its cheerful green bottle that looks great on a shelf, and its ability to serve as an olfactory 'reset'—a spritz of pure, uncomplicated freshness.
It is the scent of optimism in a bottle. It’s for the woman who values feeling clean, energized, and approachable. While it may not have the tenacity of a winter oriental, it excels precisely where it's meant to: as a bright, sparkling companion for the vibrant moments of life. In the end, Big Pony 4 is a reminder that sometimes, the greatest luxury is feeling effortlessly, refreshingly good.