Y EDP is the crisp white T-shirt under a tailored blazer - and that's literally the campaign. Dominique Ropion sharpened the original Y EDT into something denser: juicy apple and ginger up front, sage and juniper in the middle, and a smooth amberwood-tonka drydown that smells expensive without trying. Launched in 2018, it became a global top-seller for a reason: it works at the office, at dinner, on students and CEOs alike. The blueprint countless clones chase.
Y Eau de Parfum is the modern-day YSL man in a bottle — clean, confident, and effortlessly cool. A crisp apple-ginger opening gives way to aromatic sage and geranium, before settling into a warm amberwood and cedar base. Perfect for the office, first dates, or any occasion where you want to smell polished without trying too hard. Arguably YSL's best everyday men's scent.
At a glance
Y Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent — Woody – Aromatic. Launched 2018. Created by Dominique Ropion. Longevity 5–7 hrs. Sillage moderate. Price in South Africa: R1,200 - R2,200. Best for: morning commute, weekend brunch, date night, power meeting.
- Scent profile
- Woody – Aromatic
- Launched
- 2018
- Perfumer
- Dominique Ropion
- Longevity
- 5–7 hrs
- Sillage
- Moderate
- Price in South Africa
- R1,200 - R2,200
- Gender
- Masculine
- Best for
- Morning Commute, Weekend Brunch, Date Night, Power Meeting
Performance
Marathon runner — lasts all day, stays close to skin.
✍️ Did You Know?
- •Composed by Dominique Ropion, the legendary IFF nose also behind Frederic Malle's Portrait of a Lady and Invictus.
- •The 'Y' honours Yves Saint Laurent himself and the white-tee-and-blazer generation the campaign celebrates.
- •It's one of the most-cloned designer scents of the decade - Lattafa's Fakhar line openly rides its DNA.
Main Accords
Fragrance Pyramid
How this scent unfolds on your skin
Strengths & Trade-offs
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
Grounded & sophisticated — commands quiet respect.
Scent Mood
Peak season: 🍂 Autumn (95%)
Spr
Sum
Aut
Win
📖 Related Reading
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ScentID · community matches
What does Y Eau de Parfum smell like?
A modern crowd-pleaser with real staying power; sweet if oversprayed, so go light.
Budget clones
Designer scents it reminds people of
Ralph Lauren
Polo 67
55% agree (223 votes)most voters disagreeLasts: Moderate
Dolce&Gabbana
Light Blue Pour Homme Eau de Parfum
62% agree (139 votes)Lasts: Moderate
Closeness = Fragrantica community ‘reminds me of’ votes, Oct 2026. Not our own rating.
Layer It With
Curated scent pairings to build a signature from Y Eau de Parfum. Each combination is vetted by perfumers, editors, and community.
Most layer-able scent in the JM range — adds saline-herbal lift to almost anything. Limited solo performance.
Adds an uplifting citrus accessory to anything richer — works whenever a scent feels too heavy for the 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.
AI Review Summary
Synthesised from fragrance data
Y EDP has earned its reputation as a modern classic for good reason — the crisp apple and ginger opener feels immediately fresh and approachable, before a well-judged heart of sage and geranium adds just enough aromatic complexity to keep things interesting. It settles into a warm, woody base of amberwood and cedar that feels polished rather than heavy, striking that rare balance between casual and put-together. With a community rating of 7.4/10, the consensus is clear: this isn't a showstopper, but it's a reliable, well-crafted scent that rarely puts a foot wrong. Longevity sits at a respectable five to seven hours, making it ideal for office days or after-work drinks rather than long evenings out. Reach for this one in autumn and spring when the woody warmth plays beautifully against cooler air without feeling out of place.
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