Rive Gauche by Yves Saint Laurent

Rive Gauche is an absolutely classic fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent which dates back to 1971. As a consequence, this became a daily wear staple for a few generations of women. I got a hold of a decant to revisit this one, after probably close to 10 years of not coming across this perfume. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it still worth a try?

What does Rive Gauche Smell Like?

Notes include: peach, lemon, honeysuckle, aldehydes, rose, oakmoss, vetiver, iris, musk, and more

My Full Review

Note: I am reviewing a decant from one of the later bottles of this perfume (not sure what year), after not experiencing it for a handful of years. Probably one that is considered to be ‘reformulated’ from the original 70s offering. 

Rive Gauche opens up with a fresh icy burst of aldehydes, light crisp fruit notes, and a further dewy/greenish sort of aroma. Personally, I tend to pick up a peach note, as the main aspect of the fruit accord. Though, that’s not overwhelming.

It is an interesting mix of dry freshness, the dew aroma, and the floral notes. The opening has an underlying dryness to it thanks to the oak moss and vetiver notes. The aldehydes here, always bring to mind Chanel for me, but Rive Gauche has a very dynamic and distinct personality all its own.

The floral notes do emerge, once we get past the start. I mean, rose comes across somewhat early, but this really becomes about the white floral notes. Gardenia and lily of the valley are going to be main attractions for this portion.

Iris, will help add a powdery smell for a duration, but that seems to disappear on my skin. I get much more powder, if I spray this one on clothing.

As it dries down, Rive Gauche still has that cold feeling, but the muskiness starts to ramp up when I wear it. The floral notes are less distinct from one another. I will say, once the iris has had its little run, its: rose, lily of the valley, and jasmine.

The final dry down is going to be woodier and muskier. Sandalwood, vetiver, and musk are the main trio. The floral note and aldehydes are all that remain from earlier, but sit underneath those notes, and are more of a generic impression than being easy to separate out.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage is actually fairly strong, on the whole. This will leave a trail behind you and can reach pretty far across the room, at least early on.

It does moderate fairly quickly, with a limited amount of sprays. But, Rive Gauche does give you the option of going heavy and getting a much better performance.

The decant that I had, had really a really solid wear time. I could get it to last on skin for between 8-8.5 hours, during testing. Nothing insanely good, but still nothing to be disappointed in.

Seasonally, this could be worn almost anytime. I’d pick something else for the extremes of winter and summer, but outside of that, no worries. It’s ideal in springtime, though.

It’s very versatile as a daily wear. Not really a sexy nightlife perfume, but one with an ability to go more formal, if need be. While still finding a way to be fairly casual, also.

Overall Impressions of Rive Gauche

Do I like Rive Gauche? Yes, this is an example of an aldehyde soaked white floral fragrance that I enjoy. It’s not one of my favorite types of perfume, but this YSL is one, that I’ve always appreciated.

I was reminded of Rive Gauche again by two perfumes, one a Cartier (that I liked, can’t remember which), and one was Guilty Love Edition by Gucci (not a like). Both had a similar style, while not duplicating the Saint Laurent’s exact aroma.

I like the initial cold freshness with the hints of peach and even the greenish qualities. The floral notes are there doing their thing, with an increasing influence as we move along. There’s plenty of depth here and a classic style.

This may not be one for everybody, but it has been appreciated for over 50 years, for a reason. Rive Gauche is likeable and one that you can return to again and again.

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.