Question:
After nearly a year of researching and testing, I’m pretty happy with my fragrance collection at the moment. In addition, since starting my new job, I’ve been able to have the luxury of wearing these brilliant creations to work everyday. However, within the last few days, something occurred to me – Le Male is the only fragrance I haven’t worn out (obviously disregarding my summer scents).
Le Male was the very first fragrance that I truly loved and had been wearing it for nearly ten years. As a matter of fact, it was the ONLY fragrance I wore during the majority of that period. It was only when I acquired my third large bottle of the stuff that I started thinking about getting a secondary scent. Then I discovered Basenotes…
For the past year, I had not really worn Le Male (I hadn't even used my recently purchased bottle) – I felt the need to take a break from it, while exploring other fragrances. But now, it’s reached a point where every time I muse over which fragrance to wear for the day, my bottle of Le Male is constantly ignored. It reached a point where I felt compelled to start wondering why I had always overlooked it, but could never bring myself to draw a firm conclusion.
Anyway, today I decided to spray some of Le Male on my arm (for the sake of nostalgia), and it was then I finally realised why I never reach for it. Maybe this is an age thing, maybe my tastes have changed (and they have in other areas, such as the clothes I wear) or/and maybe my nose has become more sophisticated but I suddenly realised how embarrassed I’d feel wearing Le Male. Embarrassed? I really have no explanation for this sudden feeling of negativity. However, apart from clubbing (something that I don’t do much, these days), I just can’t see myself feeling comfortable about wearing this in public anymore.
I want to feel proud of what I’m wearing and Le Male seems to have fallen heavily from grace – it seems I have moved on, without knowing it. In addition, the notes smell more synthetic now than when I last remembered. I still admire it for its longevity and sillage but am no longer under its spell.
Whether I’ll sell it off remains to be seen, but it certainly conjures up many happy memories for me.
R.I.P. Le Male.

Answer:
You know what? I have similar feelings about Acqua di Gio.
It, too, was the first true fragrance I ever owned. Still, my tastes have changed, plus the fact that everyone here in the Fort wears it made it "fall from grace". I'm still looking for that AdG replacement for my collection, though...
(P.S.: I still love Le Male and reach for it often. Maybe its lower popularity than AdG around here helps...)

Answer:
Originally Posted by MFfan310 I'm still looking for that AdG replacement for my collection, though... Have you tried Givenchy PH Blue Label? I think its a great replacement possibility.
The same thing happened to me with Pi Fraiche. I never wore it exclusively for a long time, but it was my go-to scent for about a year. Then I just stopped liking it. It was too synthetic and too sweet (like Le Male!) and I ended up swapping it. I would kinda like to revisit it now though

Answer:
I have not worn Le Male in a Long time either.... the last time I sprayed this I just could not get into this at all.....A word to remember....This could change for us any day....so don't jump to a conclusion too fast.....Gary

Answer:
Great story Trebor - I can totally relate to 'saying goodbye' to a fragrance.
Mine was A*Men - although so many BN still luv it, I had to end it...

Answer:
Originally Posted by Trebor Maybe this is an age thing, maybe my tastes have changed (and they have in other areas, such as the clothes I wear) or/and maybe my nose has become more sophisticated but I suddenly realised how embarrassed I’d feel wearing Le Male. Embarrassed? I really have no explanation for this sudden feeling of negativity. However, apart from clubbing (something that I don’t do much, these days), I just can’t see myself feeling comfortable about wearing this in public anymore.
I bought it knowing full well that I'd only ever use it for clubbing and that it had near zero use for any other situation. I'd feel pretty odd wearing it any other place.
Renato

Answer:
Yeah, I prefer my scents to be either masculine or fresh - LeMale is neither. It's just too strong for a powdery vanilla drydown. I prefer other scents that are less strong with that drydown. I think when I was younger I wanted to make a statement so colognes like Joop and LeMale were attractive because they were strong and loud, but they are exactly what I despise these days - there is no class or subtlety to either scent.

Answer:
I have liked Le Male since the day it was released, I don't wear it that often anymore though. I'm looking forward to his next mens offering.

Answer:
Originally Posted by eric I have liked Le Male since the day it was released, I don't wear it that often anymore though. I'm looking forward to his next mens offering. Hold on there now... it shouldn't be long before Fleur du Male is available in Europe (in April, I believe). BTW, it's currently being rolled out as I speak in the US and Canada... how ironic, we were the last ones to get Gaultier², but we're getting Fleur du Male first.

Answer:
Originally Posted by MrCoffee I think when I was younger I wanted to make a statement so colognes like Joop and LeMale were attractive because they were strong and loud, but they are exactly what I despise these days - there is no class or subtlety to either scent. I think that's exactly the problem I have with Le Male now - synthetic, loud and lacking in class. Even Givenchy's Pi has some class.