The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Annick Ménardo created Style in Play in 2004, and the name captures the spirit. The brief was simple: a fragrance that feels athletic without being aggressive, fresh without being fleeting. Ménardo built it from green apple and thuja at the top, a heart of pine, jasmine, and cedar, anchored by white musk, vetiver, and patchouli. Sporty materials. Refined execution. The green apple provides immediate brightness, while thuja adds an herbal counterpoint that prevents the opening from feeling straightforward. The heart opens gradually, letting the woods and floral emerge rather than announce themselves. The base settles close to the skin, where vetiver and patchouli do their quiet work.
The pyramid structure relies on thuja as its distinguishing feature. Derived from the arborvitae tree, it sets this apart from more straightforward fruity aquatic openings. Combined with green apple, the top notes create a tart, bright introduction that quickly evolves. Jasmine in the heart softens the pine and cedar, allowing the woods to breathe rather than dominate. White musk prevents the base from becoming heavy, keeping the drydown intimate and close. Vetiver and patchouli emerge in the foundation, grounding the composition with earthy depth that lingers near the skin.
The evolution
The opening is airy and fresh, faint but present. Green apple and thuja lead, followed by the heart within minutes. Pine and cedar dominate the mid-section, with jasmine threading through. Around the two-hour mark, vetiver and patchouli emerge in the drydown, earthy and dry, while white musk keeps everything close to the skin. The base notes reveal themselves gradually, with vetiver and patchouli providing substance beneath the initial brightness. Around two hours in, the composition shifts toward the drydown, where vetiver and patchouli add depth while white musk maintains intimacy. The next morning, faint vetiver remains on the wrist.
Cultural impact
Style in Play was released in 2004, part of a generation of fragrances that approached masculinity with more nuance than previous decades. The scent occupies a specific position within the Lacoste range, fresh enough for regular wear but structured enough to avoid feeling casual. It appeals to those seeking a green and woody profile without committing to heavy aromatics or aggressive projection. The fragrance was apparently discontinued, which has added to its appeal for collectors who appreciate its particular character.
