FRAGRANCE | Safari for Men EDT by Ralph Lauren: Is it worth hunting down?

halfwhiteboy - Ralph Lauren Safari for Men EDT 01

I was fortunate to cop a partial bottle of Ralph Lauren's famed Safari for Men, now sadly discontinued. I know many people are often bewildered as to why brands decide to phase out fragrances that are beloved by many (hello, 70s Gucci pour Homme!) that people often resort to scouring the internet for bottles which prices are jacked up to the heavens just because they're no more. Safari is one of them. But is it worth pursuing at all?

I don't have the box but my, is Safari's bottle really handsome! The textured clear glass, the carved metal crest, the flat, faux tortoise shell finish atop the stopper—they all make for a dashing flacon worthy of praise. It even looks like a liquor bottle of some pricey brandy or cognac to me. It's simply one of the most beautiful fragrance bottles in my collection.

Safari for Men is essentially a fougere. It has that characteristic lavender note, fresh citrus opening, and oakmoss base. It carries this shower-fresh, old-school, masculine vibe right from the start, where the lavender effectively balances off the bitterness of the bergamot. A leathery, mossy accord underscores it all, patiently waiting for its cue to take over, while a mild spiciness gives the scent an added character.

halfwhiteboy - Ralph Lauren Safari for Men EDT 02

As the citrus fades, the green and earthy character of the oakmoss unfolds, beautifully adorned by some florals and lightly peppered with spice. It later reveals a powdery, or rather dusty, aspect that's similar to how the ingredient behaves in Maxim's pour Homme. The leather seems subdued here, or probably just lost in the blend, while a faint woody facet quietly lies in the background. And then musk joins in in the fragrance's waning hours.

While distinctly masculine, Safari for Men isn't overbearing or brawny. It isn't formal either. It's more country club and preppy, with which I usually associate a lot of Ralph Lauren's designs. I see it best suited for daytime wear, especially when it's warm outside. It projects moderately for maybe 2 or 3 hours before gradually descending into a skin scent. The fragrance lasts the whole day, though, and I enjoy the sporadic soft bursts of it throughout.

All things considered, Safari for Men is worth having but I don't think I'd be willing to pay a fortune just to get a bottle. However, if you chance upon a reasonable offer like I did, just go get it. It's like a softer callback to the house's iconic Polo Green, although it will only make you question why they opt to keep churning out these horrible Polo flankers instead (I was surprised with Polo Supreme Oud, though, and in a good way). Oh, well, some good things truly never last.

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[Also check out my review of Safari for Women EDP by Ralph Lauren.]

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