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Greetings, gentleman; I have recently reviewed a few fragrances of the modern era, so this week, I wanted to mix it up a bit. Today, I am travelling back to 1973 when perfumer Jean Martel released the iconic Paco Rabanne Pour Homme. It is an Aromatic Fougere fragrance for men and is widely considered today as a “Dad Fragrance.” Not to say anything is wrong with that, of course. As a Dad myself, I would have no problem wearing something like this out and about. When you get to a certain age, you don’t give a damn what other people think anyway.

Unlike many of my peers, I have no bias toward this one in terms of nostalgia, as it was unfortunately never part of my youth. Nevertheless, I have been wearing it all week in preparation for this article, and what a treat it has been. Is it any good and worth your dosh in 2024? Well, my fragrance-loving friends, here’s my humble opinion. 

Appearance and Presentation

The bottle design is not particularly fancy; it’s refreshingly simple, to the point and masculine. They don’t make them like this anymore, which is a shame.

It reminds me of other old-school fragrances I reviewed last year, such as Quorum, Polo Green and Brut. So yes, Paco Rabanne Pour Homme has a thumbs up from me regarding the appearance and presentation. 

Price and and where to buy?

It’s moderately priced, which is reasonable for what you’re getting. Surprisingly, this fragrance is still flying off the shelves in most stores today despite being over 50 years old, which is impressive.

As well as the Eau de Toilette version, you can pick up a slightly cheaper and less concentrated Aftershave Lotion, which I have yet to try. It seems to have been well received, judging by what I can see from the reviews. 

When it comes to getting the best deal, your best bet is almost always the discounters — especially when they’re running coupon codes. And the one that’s never let me down is FragranceX.

They ship worldwide, they only deal in authentic stock, and they’ve got a solid 30-day return policy, which keeps things risk-free.

Prices do move around (sometimes daily, especially during holiday sales), so it’s always worth checking the current deal. 👇

The Notes

Top Notes – Rosemary, Clary Sage, Brazilian Rosewood

Middle Notes – Lavender, Geranium, Tonka Bean

Base Notes – Oakmoss, Honey, Musk, Amber, Tobacco

My thoughts about this scent

After the first few minutes of spraying, I knew this fragrance would be my cup of tea. The top notes are green, fresh and soapy, with a kind of shaving cream vibe. The lavender notes start to surface as it transitions to the mid, blending nicely with the woods and oakmoss. If green / lavender-based scents aren’t your thing, steer clear of this one. Some fragrances in this genre can smell a little “grannyfied” or like a cleaning product, but fortunately, I am not getting that from this one. 

There won’t be anything new to smell here for those well aquatinted with fragrances of the 70s and 80s as there are many others with similar compositions. Of course, It has been reformulated and doesn’t have the same muscle as it once did, but sadly, this is 2024, and that’s to be expected.

It’s a decent, well-balanced, nostalgia-inducing fragrance that is still a pleasure to wear. If you enjoy an old throwback from time to time, this one is worth checking out.

Compliments?

This fragrance will be appreciated in most instances, although it’s not a crowd-pleaser. Those of a younger crowd into their Dior Sauvage and Jimmy Choo Man may turn their noses up at this one, but who cares? Not me. 

The compliments will likely come from those over 40 who can still appreciate the old, rugged, masculine scents their fathers and grandfathers used to wear. Remember, this was the Creed Aventus of its day. If your Dad wore this in the ’70s, you probably have siblings you’ve never met! 

Performance

I still need to put my nose to a vintage bottle, but I’ve researched enough to know that this fragrance was widely considered an 80s powerhouse (despite being released in the 70s). 

The modern formulation, however, is much more moderate and will last approximately 4 – 5 hours, which could be better. Most people within about arm’s length can smell it for the first two hours before it becomes a skin scent. In summary, the performance is “okay”.

🔥NEW FRAGRANCE!

When to wear

This fragrance belongs to the fresh/woody family. Therefore, one could use this any time of year without getting into trouble. Green and mossy scents like these perform their best around spring and autumn, in my opinion. They are also great for outdoor wear. 

Where to wear

Again, it’s an allrounder and is safe to use on almost all occasions, as long as you don’t overspray. I’ve been wearing it in the office and at home, and it has generally been well received.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• A Well-balanced and pleasant fragrance
• Masculine and excellent for Dads
• Reasonably priced
• Nostalgia-inducing
• Beautiful green, lavender and mossy scent
• A timeless charm
• It is still prevalent despite its age
• Versatile, suitable for any time of year and all occasions

Cons

• It could be too old-fashioned for some
• Performance is not as good as the original
• Not that unique compared to similar fragrances from the 70s & 80s 

Should you buy?

If you are already considering buying this fragrance, there’s a good chance you’ve used it before and are looking for a trip down memory lane. If that’s you, you will be satisfied, and I recommend you purchase it. If it’s something more contemporary you’re after, I would look elsewhere. Check out my reviews on modern fragrances such as Boss Bottled Night or Montblanc Explorer if that applies to you.

I’ve enjoyed this fragrance, and if I didn’t have others to review, I probably would have continued wearing it for weeks. Let me know how you get on with it.

READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?

If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:

• FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
• Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.

👉 Pick the option that works best for you.

No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.

WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?

I put together The Ultimate Fragrance Cheat Sheet—a no-fluff guide that covers everything from notes and families to shopping smart and applying like a pro.

It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.