Reviews of Lauder for Men (1985)
by Estée Lauder

Along with Versace L'Homme, Lauder for Men is probably the only other acceptable men's fragrance that came out of the eighties (that weren't for yuppies anyway). It's a sparkling exhilarating fragrance and is expertly mixed. Get the oakmoss at the bottom -- I think all 80's mens fragrances had it. It's sort of like Knize Forest Light, but I think I like this better. The only shop I know that stocks this is Harrods in London.

One of the great masculine classics: I would place Lauder for Men in the company of the originals of Antaeus, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bois du Portugal, and Tiffany for Men: truly distinguished. After a piercing but short-lived opening citrus note, Lauder for Men quickly progresses to a smooth spice / wood / green accord that can be described as a lot noble and a little dirty. Its top presents all the needed characteristics: full, rich, masculine, smoothly blended, and a more than a bit intriguing with its massed and complex accords. Its movement to the floral middle is smooth, and so is the floral middle itself, which doesn’t smell very floral: it’s a rippleless presentation of the wood / green from the top, floral bouquet from the middle, with the beginnings of the wood, amber, moss and musk of the base. The drydown follows the sophisticated patterns already established: ultra smooth, note filled, massed ‘80s accords, well balanced.

Though not as aggressive and domineering as those I’ve mentioned, at all times there is an authoritative exclusiveness about Lauder for Men that holds strongly through the run of the fragrance. It’s one of the few great classic masculine archetypes, and probably the most versatile of the group.

It doesn't matter when, where, or why, wear this and you will always be the epitome of sophistication. All of the notes rush to the fore in a ravishingly clear and crisp bouquet. A singularly debonaire and timeless fragrance. Together with Metropolis, Lauder's masculine masterpiece.

Super macho scent. Starts off very strongly (I do get a little woozy sniffing the top notes). It settles down pretty nicely to a subdued herbaceous drydown. Outstanding sillage, pretty average longevity but I will give this a thumb up for daring to be different.

Timeless. This could have been set into production in any era and is still viable. Flat out classy and unobtrusive.

Softened green opening going into a floral heart held up by a classic base. This is Lily of the Valley done right in the middle accord. Too much of this note and a scent becomes ambiguous, but not here. This is perfect.

Lauder for men is a standalone scent for formal or casual, winter or summer. I cannot see where this scent would not fit in. This is a gem,albeit a hidden one it seems.

Dirty leather fougere with a tobacco base. If you can't find Dior's Jules, this is more readily available.

Lauder for Men starts out a little bit like Kouros on a leash. The two begin travel on parallel trails, but Lauder’s path receives more sunlight. Where Kouros has orange, Lauder has lemon; where Kouros has incense, Lauder has crisp aromatics; and where Kouros has its titanic, beastly accord of civet and urinous honey, Lauder makes do with just the honey. In short, everything about Lauder for Men is a bit brighter and bit more sparkly.

After a half hour, Lauder’s trail takes off in a different direction, as a big, spicy tobacco accord presses into the foreground. By the time its central movement is established, Lauder has moved away from Kouros and pulled up next to…Havana! That’s right – it’s hard for me to smell Lauder’s spicy tobacco fougere heart without immediately thinking of that late, lamented offering from Estee Lauder’s own men’s division. Once again, Lauder for Men is the lighter, brighter scent, but I smell a strong family resemblance – one that only intensifies as Lauder for Men approaches its pungent mossy tobacco drydown. Aramis could probably have marketed Havana as “Lauder for Men Intense,” but the name they chose is honestly more compelling. Since Havana is to all intents and purposes extinct, those who remember it fondly would do well to give its older sibling a whirl.

If you think I’m insinuating that Lauder for Men is a Kouros/Havana wannabe, you’re mistaken. I believe that Lauder for Men stands as a great fougere fragrance on its own. Not least among its merits is its comparative wearability. The sheer immensity of Kouros and Havana limit the occasions for their wear. Not so Lauder for Men, which makes a comfortable everyday scent. What ultimately puzzles me about Lauder for Men is how such a fine fragrance can be so little known or discussed. Frankly, it’s a hidden treasure, and probably one of the most underrated and underappreciated scents I know of.

Lauder for Men is one of two Lauder fragrances I can wear without wanting to barf. Though I have a love-hate relationship with this scent, I do keep it around for those days I want to be above the "boys": it echos class from a bygone era when three-martini lunches were the norm and travel was by train or ocean-liner. I'm not crazy about the murky dry down Lauder has with my chemistry--watered-down mossy/lemon smell--but my female co-workers literally squeal with delight when I wear this.

If you have Boucheron pour Homme, you don't have to bother getting Lauder. I do think though that Lauder is less robust and gentler, but the drydown in particular is very close to Boucheron. I don't know who listed the Basenotes notes above, but I think it's very misleading. This is what the Lauder website says:First introduced in 1985, this clean, very masculine scent transcends time and place. The fragrance is bursting with the freshness and clarity of crisp citrus and brisk herbs. Floral accents and a rich woody complex lend depth and warmth, while oakmoss, amber and musk surround you with a confident, masculine presence.

Fragrance Type: Herbaceous/Woody

Top Notes: Lemon, Mandarin, Crisp Green Accents, Herbs, Spices
Middle Notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Subtle Floral Accents
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Amber, Musk

I agree with the above - the lemon is just as pushy as in Boucheron. It's good stuff on the days you're in a lemon mood.

I disagree with DISbanzai, whose opinion is unfair and doesnt do justice to this elegant, fresh (in the positive meaning of the word), and very attractive fragrance. I have been using it for a decade now and it has never let me down. Morning, afternoon or evening - all times of the day (and night) are suitable for it to be worn. Sorrounds you with an atmosphere of casual elegance.

LAUDER,very versatile.can be worn casually(slacks and shirt)or with a suit.ciao!

Highly formal and classic. Good staying power and silage; but the rose and carnation dominate with a somewhat sour note that smells a tad antique. I like it overall.

What hapenned to all the "good ones"...? Those luxurious mens fragrances in the vein of Aramis, Antaeus, Largerfeld Classic and Goodlife? Well, who knows? Those four classics do still exist, and I am told, Aramis is seeing a come-back sorts.

It's easy to see why; everyone has become fed-up with all those mass-produced designer fragrances that are described as "watery, fresh, dynamic, clean and masculine" - when, with the exceptions of Cool Water, Cool Water Deep, Goodlife and Issey Miyake, all I can smell is a harsh concoction of industrial chemicals, preservatives and cleansers...

Even when fashion houses do "attempt" a few fragrances in the genre of those classics from the 60s, 70s and 80s, they create something reminiscent of those fragrances, but with an aweful sweaty feet note that I find incorrigable...ergh!

But, alas, I stumbled upon Lauder for Men...I am reminded of Aramis, Antaeus (similar to, but softer than Aramis, and Eau Sauvage...It smells "of" those great classics, but it (very desirably) avoids the clingy, sweaty notes that Aramis and Antaeus do so well with, and avoids the overly harsh citrus blast of Eau Sauvage...It smells clean, fresh, powdery, relatively mild, and indeed masculine...and it does have a great softly aromatic chypre quality to it...

In it's dry-down, Lauder for Men develops into a melange of all notes it entails, so as to make indidual notes indiscernable, but in a good, classy way, giving it a modern edge...

All in all, quite a nice fragrance, but nothing especially unique, with only average lasting power...Still, I can't help but love its versatility! A number of colleagues had told me that its an out-and-out business/formal perfume, but for me, it's freshness and dynamic lends me to use it more often casually than to work or formal functions...Anybody else feel the same way?

Anyway, not bad stuff. It's probably worth mentioning that layering this perfume is the best way to go, with the deoderant, aftershave balm and cologne.

Cheers!

P.S. On the note of every one becomming fed-up with all those mass-produced designer perfumes, I have noticed that here in Australia (particularly Brisbane and Sydney), all of the major department stores and chemists (drug-stores), and even the perfumeries, are really pushing with great sales to get rid of those fragrances, with a trend in declining interest, with many cosmopolitan Australians seeking out "olden-goldies" like those by Guerlain, Chanel, Patou, Dior and Gres.

lauder for men is absolutely a fantastic scent for a man and i am talking about a man!a fresh chypre-clear,light and well balanced-all ingredients very well mixed and orchestrated.This is an elegant and classical edt for daily use, for the office as well as in the evening.it is really masculine and very pleasant-not nerving, not exhausting- as i said evrything perfectly put together.pour monsieur is too warm and smooth, eau sauvage too much lemon and citrus, sagamore too oriental-estee lauders edt is the perfect composition - if you look for a classical and elegant masculine fragrance with this special touch then you are right.not to recommend to young, skinny crazy metrosexuals-this is an edt for a succesfull, elegant 30 + with self-cnfidence and sure of himself!Great american edt.By the way JHL would bethe perfect match then for winter!

Impeccable, crisp, formal. In the same class as Pour Monsieur, Acier Aluminium, Antaeus, etc.

Not for those who don't care for citrus/spice mixtures, but otherwise perfect.

Very masculine

The only scent I know that smells like a manly man (not sweety or fruity) but at the same time very crisp and fresh.

Its a classic

It does smell masculine, however the issue that it smells like a 85 year old masculine.

Puzzling over what to wear, my hand instinctively reached for Lauder for Men, despite not having worn this in many moons. What seemed normal to me absolutely shocked my noble assistant. "Sir, I'd nearly forgotten what a remarkable scent this is! Truly the Santal Noble of its' time and, I should say, every bit its equal and then some!"

This classic 1985 scent opens with an harmonius lead of citrus, green notes, florals, woods and spice, with musk also present; artful. As this progresses, the woods and musk, with a little spice, assert themselves and turn this scent in an even more masculine direction with excellent duration! Truly should be tried by everyone.

Wicozani

I started using Lauder for Men back in 1985. It is a world class scent from a different time, yet remains modern and elegant. Opens fresh and citrusy and the wood drydown is wonderful. Lasts all day and receives many compliments. We're talking Masculine here folks, with a capital "M". In fact, Lauder for men has been called "the most masculine fragrance ever made". Getting hard to find, but if you can find it, get it. The first and the best of Mrs. Lauder's offerings for men.

I have gotten more compliments, from both men and women, with this frag then with any other I have worn, still a classic scent after all these years.

Not really. Like Lord Molyneux, a rather crude, cheap, blunt use of spices. Better as it develops and gets more subdued.

One word: Masculine. Not for the tepid or meek. Out of production I think. Hunt it down for late night wear.

Fresh and natural-smelling citrus fragrance with warm woody drydown that has classic masculine notes. Refined and mature aromatic fougere.