YVES SAINT LAURENT
TUXEDO

2015

PERFUMER
Juliette Karagueuzoglou

Violet
Coriander
Bergamot

Rose
Black Pepper
lily-of-the-valley

Patchouli
Ambergris
Bourbon Vanilla

Tuxedo is a fragrance that I learned of on my first day of looking into this world. I’d since tried it two times in a store, but never got to wear it until about 2 years later and I can’t believe I waited so long. It might be the most fruity, classy gentlemanly fragrance I know. The fruit I smell isn’t listed, but I think the Violet could be the culprit. Add to that a hint of citrus, rose and a healthy dose of pepper. The base is all patchouli, but it’s not a dry fragrance. It’s sweet, but fruity sweet to me.

It is rightfully compared all the time to Rochas Moustache EDP, which I smelled right after this. They give the wearer the same experience to be honest, but for some reason I’d prefer Tuxedo (must be the niche-snob in me smelling that higher price point).

Surprisingly, it reminds me a bit of Ella KMelodie D’Altai. The two are very different in the details; The Ella K leans way further into the vanilla and less on the fruitiness (it’s also more rugged on the leather, which I heard old Tuxedo formulations were as well). Yet, in the air they give me a similar vibe. Somehow I find Tuxedo evenly suitable for office wear and for date nights.