French Ruby

French Ruby opens on its headline note - a bright, crunchy green apple, the unmistakable signature that made Lacoste Red so recognisable. A green-aromatic heart of pine and a whisper of jasmine follows, before a woody base of patchouli, vetiver and white musk grounds it with a clean, fresh warmth. Against the Lacoste original the dupe reads a touch flatter and simpler, the playful apple-over-woods idea preserved but the nuance trimmed. Because Style in Play is itself a linear, soft-projecting skin-scent, the budget version sits even nearer the skin and fades a little sooner. It wears as a cheerful, casual fresh fragrance - made for warm spring and summer days, sport, daily wear and easy outings. Projection is modest and longevity skin-close after the opening hour or two. As a smell-alike it captures the fun green-apple-and-woods character of Lacoste Red while losing a little of the freshness and what staying power the original had.