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Chaps (original) by Ralph Lauren, 1979

Chaps (original) by Ralph Lauren, 1979 + add a photo
34 reviews
88% Positive Reviews
Rated #774 in Fragrances
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Posted
By Zealot Crusader
Rich, animalic, raw, leathery, and loud; this fragrance assaults the nostrils upon first whiff. If one can make it to the dry-down, a softer and more powdery sophistication awaits, with ever the slightest touch of sweetness. The problem is, if one over-applies the vintage formula, that dry-down phase never really happens, and it stays at the head not for the duration of the wear (Joop! has this problem as well). I can see this being reformulated into the softer and tamer creature that the "Chaps Est. 1979" is today, because Ralph Lauren wanted to take all the effort out of wearing this one the right way by removing the animalic elements and subduing the leather notes, leaving behind only the softer side that was always there, but buried in the head notes by those who wore this indiscriminately. It's a shame, because some of the powder and dry formality was removed as well, making the new version smell too fresh and casual for it's intended market. If you can find unopened bottles of this classic, go for it, because it can be quite a head-turner if worn with discretion and poise - as it was intended.
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Posted
By Bigsly
This is animalic but not too musky. There are a lot of notes but you probably will never be able to detect them all. Thankfully, the lavender isn't too strong. It's more than a little sweet and it's undeniably powdery, but it does have good "note separation" for this kind of fragrance. There is an interesting dynamism between a sweet/syrupy quality and an old, dried-out leathery one. I don't detect any strong spice note (for me, "spice" means cinnamon, clove, etc., and not what I think of as herbs, such as clary sage), and this is largely what separates Chaps from an Old Spice type of formula (one of the older, good ones), I think. There is also an animalic quality ("dirty" jasmine, presumably), making it seem like there is a touch of a Kouros-like fragrance in here as well. Longevity and projection ("sillage") are very good if not excellent. It's certainly natural smelling, though one would guess it would be far too "old" for the aquatic/"fresh"/"sport" crowd. If you like The Knize Ten and want a variation on that theme, this is one to sample.
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By dwrestle
Chaps kicks ass! I think this an awesome fragrance that really does put you in mind of a dressed up country boy/cowboy or something. To me it smells like the pinkish orange Caress soap mixed with musk, and it gives off a soft leathery quality(like English Leather but more leather). I find Chaps to be an innofensive and safe fragrance that screams old school and 80's at the same time which is a win win in my book.
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By foetidus
In all these years I never felt an impulse to test Chaps: My heroes have never been cowboys and I guess I thought this had nothing to offer for me I finally took the plunge and I dont mind saying that I was amazed at the first sniff. Granted, its old-fashioned, uber-masculine, cowboy iconic, and potent; but in my mind, theres no doubt that it is a very good fragrance for its drugstore status it's smooth, blended, and comfortingly endearing. It isnt complex: It doesnt seem to have movements among levels of the scent pyramid. Its intricately massed combination stays solidly what it is, and that is an invitingly smooth and enjoyable masculine scent. I cant really separate out the individual notes in the fragrance: Its not constructed for that and its ingredients are likely not expensive enough to stand close analysis but that doesnt stop Chaps from being a satisfying scent. I dont get sweet, and yet I dont get dry. I dont get more than a modicum of powder, and I dont get leather, but it does seem leather-like so I can understand why other reviewers claim leather, but what I get is a well integrated floral / patchouli / mossy / ambery combination with just a touch of sweet probably a honey-like note. I dont apply it on cloth or any exposed skin its too strong with that kind of application. I apply it on my chest and that method also increases its rather poor longevity. Chaps is a good scent for the money. I know, I know... I don't wear it very often... but I can say that about several niche and expensive designer fragrances that I own...
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By Hartman Design
Vile liquid! This is to cologne as haggis is to meat. I'll say this for it: It's got lasting power, which unfortunately has lasted beyond the shower I just took to get this crap off my skin. Horrid.
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By The_Cologneist
Spicy! Very spicy, though balanced out with a natural sweetness from lavender, anise patchouli and amber. This is without doubt, one of the most blended and refined fragrances ever made. The overall result.. a rugged man's fragrance with some serious sex appeal. I don't know how the newer formula plays out, before it was discontinued (in the square bottle) but the original with the country/outback look, is so amazing. This was actually one of my first fragrances when I was much much younger, and I never really appreciated it, of course, at age 12, what 12 year old is gonna wanna smell like this? Recently I got a whiff of this and was blown away; now that I appreciate fragrances more and see things from a more artistic point of view. It's hard to believe this has been discontinued, it's really good stuff, a wonderful hidden gem, and a bit of a powerhouse. Not many know about Chaps. If you ever see this in the old school bottle, and you like stuff like Azzaro pH.. don't think, don't even blink, just buy it! Trust me, you will not regret it. It's not something I would wear everyday, but it can surly suit somebody's signature scent. It's versatile, projects well, lasts long, and is timeless. It's old school, but never really comes off that way.. similar to the original Polo and Azzaro pH, which never feel dated, just mature. This is a manly man's fragrance. I will soon be searching for a small bottle of this to reminisce!
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By lex
back n da day my best friend use to wear chaps all the time. what stood out to me was like a honey and musk scent that was nice
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By Redbeard
This (the old version) is what I wished Stetson could have been. It's still a sweet brown brew, with honey and flowery spices yielding to a gentle musk, but while Stetson smelled like my mom's Norell and had no balls, Chaps probably has one. It's not very strong so sometimes I try to do a double dose. Even so, the base notes are pretty weak and I sometimes will re-splash myself to smell anything at all. If I breathe deeply over the splash spot, I get a slight pee residue smell. I wish there were something astringent or sour other than that pee in the mix, even if only for the first few minutes, to break up the monotonous, though not quite overpowering, sweetness.
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By Manuel
OMG! I think this may now be a discontinued fragrance.
It wasn't at any of the usual pharmacies and I ended up driving all over town, in vain, trying to find a replacement bottle.
Chaps opens with a comforting, sweet and powdery accord layered over stark botanicals, viceral sweaty musk, dry leather and a long sandalwood drydown. A freakin' brilliant fragrance that oozes rugged masculinity.
I have seen Chaps receive plenty of bad press on other sites, and I think this is a result of 'fragrance elitists' letting the western-stylized name and bottle evoke their own negative imagery. Their minds are muddled before the first sniff!
Chaps sits proudly on my shelf alongside the Lutens, Guerlains, and Carons.
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By Mario Justiniani
Yes, I confess my first She Who Must Be Obeyed loved this on me. So macho. So Western Rugged! She would give it to me as a gift--or a peace offering after throwing some piece of crockery at my head. She loved me so. Stunningly beautiful and much weirder than the body pierced goth girls that lurk in California these days.
I believe she ended up in prison for securities fraud, or owning a mansion in Pasadena. Or was it both?
There's a moral to all this, but I'm not quite sure what it is. Evil scents end up in drugstore shelves? Beware of beautiful babes that choose Chaps? I must reminisce further. . .
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Facts and Details

Chaps (original) by Ralph Lauren, 1979
By:
Description:

FIFI award winner in 1980

Details:
DetailValue
Top NotesAnise, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Lavender, Lime, Lemon
Middle NotesJasmin, Patchouli, Orris, Geranium, Sandal, Cedarwood, Patchouli
Base NotesAmber, Vanilla, Musk, Honey, Moss, Benzoin, Tonka Bean
Launched Date1979
GenderMen
AvailabilityDiscontinued
ByRalph Lauren
Bottle Designer
Perfumer
Models:
Model Name/TypeMPNEAN/UPC
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