Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren Review – The 90s Fragrance I Fell in Love with Again

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Maybe it’s because I’m 51 now and feeling a bit nostalgic about that era, but lately I’ve found myself drawn back to the classic fragrances from the late 90s and early 2000s — scents like Dark Blue by Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme, Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier, and of course, Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren.

So, I decided to buy Polo Sport again and see what has changed over the years. Back at the end of the 90s, it was my go-to daytime fragrance — especially during the summer months when I was living in Mallorca, Spain. It performed beautifully on my skin, felt fresh and energising, and always brought plenty of compliments.

Fast forward to 2025, and I couldn’t resist testing whether that nostalgic spark still holds up. Has Polo Sport aged well? Is the magic of that blue bottle still alive, or is it just the nostalgia talking? Let’s find out.

Packaging & First Impressions

The first thing I have to mention is the iconic bottle. Most Ralph Lauren fragrances tend to follow a certain design language — sleek, elegant, and classic — but Polo Sport has always stood out from the rest. In my opinion, it’s become truly iconic in its own right.

That deep blue glass bottle, topped with a silver lid, and featuring the American flag with the “RL” logo replacing the stars, still feels instantly recognisable. It’s pure 90s nostalgia in a bottle — and I absolutely love it.

What’s even better is that nothing seems to have changed. The bottle still feels great in the hand, the sprayer works smoothly, and the packaging looks identical to what I remember back in the late 90s. Every time I hold it, it feels like a small time capsule from my twenties.

I don’t know who originally designed this bottle, but whoever did — bravo! It’s simple, bold, and timeless.

What Does Polo Sport Smell Like in 2025?

A lot of 90s fragrances have suffered from endless reformulations, and as a result, many of them just don’t smell like they used to. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Polo Sport. The scent feels incredibly familiar — almost identical to how I remember it from my days in Mallorca. It still smells fantastic.

This is a very masculine fragrance, and it perfectly embodies what a sport fragrance should be: fresh, clean, and invigorating. The blend of lemon, mint, lavender, and oakmoss creates that crisp, uplifting vibe that instantly reminds me of the beach, the gym, and the carefree energy of summer.

I’m a big fan of Azzaro Chrome, but the difference between the two is clear. With Chrome, the opening can feel a bit chaotic before it settles. With Polo Sport, what you smell in the first spray is exactly what you get two hours later — steady, consistent, and effortlessly wearable.

There’s also something undeniably attractive about this fragrance. Not in the heavy, sweet way of many modern men’s scents, but in that old-school charm kind of way — fresh, clean, and quietly confident.

If there’s one sign of reformulation, it’s in the longevity. These days, I get around 3 to 4 hours of solid performance, which, to be fair, is still better than many modern Hugo Boss releases. For the price, I honestly can’t complain.

And yes, I used to have the Polo Sport deodorant stick back in the day — sadly, it seems to have completely disappeared from shelves. A shame, really, because it was brilliant.

Final Thoughts – Should You Get It?

I’ll be honest — I’m totally obsessed with Polo Sport again. If, like me, you feel a bit nostalgic for the late 90s, this is one fragrance you need back in your life. It’s easy to find — available on Amazon and most major fragrance retailers — and it smells every bit as good as it used to.

If you love that old-school, college vibe and want something that captures a truly American feel, Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren is the one. I couldn’t be happier that I decided to buy it again.

Since I started wearing it, I’ve already received a lot of compliments — and even my wife, who was my girlfriend back when I used to wear Polo Sport in Mallorca, smiled and said she loves that familiar scent on me again. That moment alone was worth it.

Of course, it’s not for everyone. If you’re into sweet, seductive fragrances from Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent, this might not hit the same notes for you. But if you appreciate fresh, clean, masculine classics that defined a generation — give Polo Sport a try.

And if you do, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your memories of it too. Buy in Amazon.com (here)

Jerome

About the Author:
Jerome is a lifestyle blogger who writes about fashion, skincare, tech, and yes — old shool fragrances too! He only recommends products he knows, loves, and truly believes offer the best quality and performance for his readers.