Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint Laurent Jazz Eau de Toilette
A rich 1988 aromatic fougère for men, opening with spiced lavender and coriander over a carnation and jasmine heart, finished with leather, tobacco and oakmoss.
Yves Saint Laurent Jazz Eau de Toilette is a rich, spiced aromatic fougère for men, launched in 1988 and now considered a vintage classic. It's a complex, old-school composition built for those who enjoy a proper masculine fragrance with real depth.
What does Jazz smell like?
The opening throws a lot at once: nutmeg, artemisia, coriander, cinnamon, lavender, basil, anise, bergamot and cardamom combine into a spiced, herbal blast. The heart softens into carnation, iris, jasmine and geranium, giving it a slightly powdery floral character alongside the spice. It finishes on a substantial base of leather, sandalwood, tonka, amber, musk, oakmoss, cedar and tobacco, which is where the fragrance really earns its reputation as a bold, old-school scent.
- Top notes: Nutmeg, artemisia, coriander, cinnamon, lavender, basil, anise, bergamot, cardamom
- Heart notes: Carnation, iris, jasmine, geranium
- Base notes: Leather, sandalwood, tonka, amber, musk, oakmoss, cedar, tobacco
Performance and when to wear it
Jazz is typically long-lasting on skin, in keeping with many fragrances from this era. It suits autumn and winter, and works well for evening wear where its dense, spiced character has room to show.
Who is it for?
This fragrance suits men who enjoy vintage-style aromatic fougères with real complexity, rather than modern, simpler colognes. It's a good pick for fans of 1980s masculine perfumery.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jazz long-lasting?+
Yes, it's typically long-lasting on skin, reflecting its era and its dense leather, tobacco and oakmoss base. Expect it to hold through a full evening without needing to reapply.
Is Jazz for men or women?+
Jazz is a men's fragrance, launched in 1988 with a spiced, leathery aromatic fougère profile aimed squarely at classic masculine perfumery.
Which size should I buy?+
This fragrance is available in an 80ml bottle. As a vintage, rare release, stock and pricing can vary, so confirm availability before buying.
At a glance
Jazz by Yves Saint Laurent — Fresh – Aromatic Fougere. Launched 1988. Created by Jean-François Latty. Price in South Africa: R5650. Best for: morning commute, weekend brunch, date night, power meeting.
- Scent profile
- Fresh – Aromatic Fougere
- Launched
- 1988
- Perfumer
- Jean-François Latty
- Price in South Africa
- R5650
- Gender
- Masculine
- Best for
- Morning Commute, Weekend Brunch, Date Night, Power Meeting
Main Accords
Fragrance Pyramid
How this scent unfolds on your skin
Community Opinions
Wear It When
Morning Commute
“A spritz before you leave — fresh enough to wake you up, polished enough for the boardroom.”
Weekend Brunch
“Sun-dappled café tables, iced lattes, and effortless charm.”
Date Night
“Candlelight, slow conversation, and a scent trail that draws them closer.”
Power Meeting
“Quiet confidence in a bottle. Let the work speak — the fragrance just underlines it.”
Drag the knobs to explore
This Scent Is For
Crisp & invigorating — thrives in warmer months.
Scent Mood
Peak season: ☀️ Summer (100%)
Spr
Sum
Aut
Win
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Layer It With
Curated scent pairings to build a signature from Jazz. Each combination is vetted by perfumers, editors, and community.
The winter weight for summer signatures.
Adds chestnut-vanilla warmth and smoke to lighter scents — converts a daytime signature into something evening-ready in cold weather.
Layering Tip
Spray the heavier scent first, then the lighter one on top. Start with two scents — more than three quickly becomes muddled. Always test on skin first.
How to Layer Jazz
Combine Jazz with these partners to create something new. Spray the heavier scent first, let it settle, then add the accent on top. These are note-based suggestions — a great starting point to experiment with.
Layer Jazz with
Mancera Black PrestigiumHow: 1 spray Yves Saint Laurent Jazz on the chest, 1 spray Mancera Black Prestigium on top once settled
Result: the leather and amber extend Jazz's tobacco-leather-oakmoss base for a fuller, more modern fougere
Layer Jazz with
Afnan Turathi BlueHow: 2 sprays Yves Saint Laurent Jazz first, 1 spray Afnan Turathi Blue on top
Result: the amber-woody spice complements the cardamom-cinnamon top of this vintage-style fougere
AI Review Summary
Synthesised from fragrance data
Jazz by Yves Saint Laurent is a proper old-school aromatic fougère that doesn't apologise for its complexity — a spiced, herbal opening of nutmeg, cardamom, coriander and lavender gives way to a powdery floral heart before settling into a rich, smoky base of leather, oakmoss, tobacco and sandalwood. It's the kind of fragrance that was built for a specific era of masculine perfumery, and it wears like it knows exactly what it is. If you grew up around men who wore serious cologne in the late 1980s, this will hit with a wave of nostalgia; if you're discovering it fresh, expect something genuinely different from anything on a modern department store shelf. Save it for cooler autumn and winter evenings where its density and warmth can really breathe, rather than fighting against summer heat. Best suited to those who appreciate vintage masculines with real character — this is not a fragrance for the faint-hearted or those weaned on clean, aquatic scents.
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