Portrait of New York - Vetiver

This is a nice & simple collection. Sure you can wear these by themselves, but they lack depth and complexity; like below mentioned, layering is encouraged (similar to Jo Malone) and almost necessary. What's best depends on personal tastes (except Magnolia, Amber, and Oud, which are characterless and/or seriously lacking...better off with Polo Supreme Oud); personally I favor this one layered with either Orange Flower or Rose.

Really simple, natural and beautiful vetiver scent. The central juicy vetiver is surrounded by slight hints of cardamom and black pepper. Takes you immediately to a place like the Malabar Coast of India after a rain. Masculine leaning with strong sillage and longevity. Vetiver lovers need to try this beauty at least once. Enjoy!

Vetiver is part of Ralph Lauren's Collection fragrances, and the current vendor in the US (outside of select Ralph Lauren boutiques) is Bergdorf Goodman. A BG rep sent me samples of this and White Lily. The fragrances are billed as unisex, but to me, Vetiver leans more male. The opening is reminiscent of pine needles and Christmas trees, and the dry down is a nice, standard vetiver - nothing more, nothing less. Reading the press information, I believe that layering these scents is encouraged, but at the price point ($140 for the small bottle), seems outrageous. If you like linear fragrances and love vetiver, this may be for you. However, for me, I will pass. I am interested in smelling some of the others in this collection, but Vetiver is not for me.