Layton by Parfums De Marly Review

As a part of the dozens upon dozens of reviews that I have to write up over the coming while, many of them will be from the Parfums de Marly line of fragrances. Today, I am going to tackle one of the most popular colognes from this brand, Layton. How does Layton smell? Is it a good value? Does it actually perform or is it a complete dud? Continue below for my full take.

What does PdM Layton Smell Like?

Notes include: green apple, vanilla, sandalwood, cardamom, lavender, pepper, orange, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Parfums de Marly Parfums de Marly Layton – 4.2 Ounce edp spray

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Layton is a crisp blend of apple and bergamot. It is a very green and tart apple aroma with just that touch of citrus provided by the bergamot. I think that the apple note in here smells pretty darn realistic and not like some artificial Jolly Rancher candy, as it has the right amount of juiciness.

Underlying that is a smooth and fairly creamy combo of vanilla and sandalwood. This is of course a very familiar aroma for most folks and I think that it works well to offset the tart green apple. As Layton dries down, the vanilla and apple, become more of a duo and the sandalwood plays a smaller role.

There is also the matter of the cardamom and pepper, which take the crisp fruit scent, and give it a lively spice. Now, the spice isn’t super powerful but it is quite dynamic and alluring. It is a very well blended mix of fruit sweetness and spicy notes. Due to its composition it gets compared to Boss Bottled a lot.

I can see the similarities but Layton is much better, in my opinion. It has a richer smell and performs for ages. I don’t think that the two fragrances are really in competition as the green apple/vanilla combo is in plenty of colognes. Hell, even ultra inexpensive, Playboy New York has its own take (and no it’s not even close to Layton or Boss Bottled).

Sillage, How Long Does It Last?, Versatility

Performance wise, Layton definitely delivers. That’s one of the positives about Parfums de Marly, they usually aren’t weak scents. Can it be overpowering? Yes, over-spraying it. 2-3 seems to do the job, and keep it on the lighter side of things if wearing at work.

Also, this a longevity champ. Layton lasts 10+ hours on my skin. I’m not sure the exact number because I lose track after that. Update: Coming back to Layton, a few more time, and it seems to hit above 12 hours, pretty easily.

In the summer months, it might not hit the same level in the heat, but in the cold to moderate temperatures there’s no issue.

Layton is also kind of a ubiquitous cologne. It has a blend that could work well in just about any season or situation. Hot to cold or work to date…except the heat of a peak summer day. I could still wear it during summer evenings, but would hold off when the sun’s out.

Plus, while it does lean toward the masculine end of the spectrum, Layton is still a unisex type of fragrance. It is quite an attractive fragrance, with a classy and well put together feeling. I would wear it more casually or semi-formally, but it really isn’t limited.

Overall Impressions of Layton

Overall, would I recommend Layton? Yes, it’s a really great scent. It smells good, it performs well, and it is versatile. It is pricey but it outperforms many of its peers at this cost point. Some people may not dig the green apple note, but I have found that it definitely has a draw for most folks.

It’s sweet and warm, but never seems cheap, or too candy-like.  The secondary layer of spice and sandalwood, really holds Layton together, and makes it a fantastic experience to wear. This scent is one of my favorites, if not my favorite, from the Parfums de Marly line.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.