Elisa describes her beloved long lost perfumes and considers alternatives.
Perhaps the hardest part of the perfume hobby is seeing beautiful perfumes be discontinued. But that’s only the first stage to get through – often, discontinued perfumes are still available online and through discounters for years after they fall out of production. The really hard part comes when those stocks dry up, and the last remaining bottles can only occasionally be found for sale through unreliable sources and at astronomical prices. Iris Gris – a legendary Vincent Roubert creation from 1946 – is perhaps the quintessential “lost perfume.”
But you don’t have to dig back too far into last century to find lost perfumes. Here are five perfumes from the last 25 years that I’ve fallen in love with, only to find them largely unavailable.
L’Arte di Gucci (1991)
Thankfully, there are still good rose chypres in production. But L’Arte di Gucci was special – a big, fruity, nuanced red rose that brings to mind Eau de Joy, with its facets of aldehydes, cassis, and jasmine. To my nose, the base is mostly about the dark, earthy patchouli, with the oakmoss less prominent than in, say, Paloma Picasso. When Angela reviewed this perfume in 2011, she compared it to “wearing red lipstick with a red dress” – a combination so obvious that Donatella Versace called it bourgeois. But I love the costumey effect of L’Arte di Gucci, the way it references both elegance and power. Victoria recommends trying Dior Diorling, Chanel Cuir de Russie, and Parfum d’Empire Cuir Ottoman, if the dark, dry leather of L’Arte di Gucci is what you loved the most.
Cartier So Pretty (1995)
Chypres are often thought of as sharp and bitter – and they often are. But So Pretty instead plays up the subtle creamy facet of oakmoss, setting it against one of the most beautiful blackcurrant notes out there (or not out there, sadly). If you’re desperate to re-create the berries-and-cream effect, you can get something in the same neighborhood by layering a fruity rose over YSL Yvresse.
Gucci Envy (1997)
I bought my bottle of Envy at a Sephora in Boston early on in my perfumista days. Now the stocks are all but gone – a shame, because there’s really nothing else like this electric green floral. Instead of relying on the warm, golden-green smell of galbanum, Envy pairs a classic green floral accord (lily of the valley and hyacinth) with an icy metallic note; the effect is as bright and refreshing as a lime popsicle. Previously, Victoria considered several alternatives to Envy, and I’m still looking for something similar.
Fendi Theorema (1998)
Theorema is my go-to Thanksgiving scent – full of citrus and amber and autumnal spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom, it’s both celebratory and comforting. This cult classic by Christine Nagel is frequently named in lists of perfumes that we wish weren’t discontinued, and once you try it, it’s easy to see why. Several other spicy orientals remind me of parts of Theorema, such as Ormonde Jayne Woman, Roberto Cavalli Oro, and M.Micallef Gaiac. None smells exactly like it, but they are worth trying if you love orientals.
Miss Dior Chérie (original) (2005)
I didn’t care much for Miss Dior Chérie when it first came out, but it’s funny how you start to miss things when they’re no longer around, and with new releases getting worse all the time, older perfumes always smell better than you remembered. Dior reformulated it in 2011, then renamed it Miss Dior, which was baffling to fans of the original 1947 Miss Dior, a completely different fragrance. (More on that switch here.) This cute gourmand is memorable mostly for its tart, fizzy strawberry note. Pleasantly, the caramel popcorn accord is downright dry by today’s standards – it reminds me more of fruity beer than fruity soda. If you loved this fragrance and can’t find an older bottle, try the new Armani Si – it’s sweeter, but the combination of strawberry and patchouli is unmistakably familiar.
Have you tried these scents? Which lost perfumes do you hoard or mourn?
166 Comments
Michaela: Excellent post!
I’m always happy when I see that ‘the long lost X is more or less similar to available Y,W,Z’. Very helpful and interesting. October 21, 2014 at 7:51am
Michaela: To answer to your question… I only tried (and loved) Gucci Envy.
And I am curious which widely available perfume smells any close to Rochas Byzance. October 21, 2014 at 8:00am
Elisa: I haven’t tried that one! Hopefully someone else can chime in? October 21, 2014 at 9:17am
Lynley: Michaela, I still have some Byzance, but to be honest, for the number of perfumes I’ve tried I can’t think of anything similar-sorry!
I know Byzantine and Vivienne Westwood Boudoir are very similar, but Byzance…
As it’s a chypre, many of that style are going by the wayside, so I suspect that finding something similar will be getting harder too.. October 21, 2014 at 9:43pm
Michaela: Thank you, Lynley. It’s good to know anyway. Life goes on. October 22, 2014 at 5:12am
Rednails: Closest to Byzance is Givenchy Ysatis. October 22, 2014 at 9:41pm
Michaela: Thank you, Rednails! 🙂 October 23, 2014 at 4:33am
Beachbum: I have been searching for Byzance for years. Just bought my first Jean Patou – 1000! January 23, 2015 at 6:44pm
Rochelle.: I’ve just stumbled across this post. I bought a perfume today and all day I kept smelling my wrist trying to figure out what it reminded me of. I had my light bulb moment about 6 hours later- Byzance! The perfume I bought is Gucci Guilty Absolute. I would love to hear if someone else thinks they are similar. April 26, 2018 at 3:52am
Kat: I’m hoarding half a bottle of Shue Uemura’s first scent. Still looking for a replacement that comes even close. I’d call it the introvert sister of Knowing.
My mother received a bottle of Coty’s Chypre as a gift when my oldest sister was born. My father promised her a bottle for each child but then it disappeared from the market. Now we are all adults and spent a tiny fortune on finding her that elusive scent – alas, Mitsouko and all the other usual suspects failed.
There are companies offering to ‘rebuild’ your favorite fragrance if you send them a sample but it’s quite pricey and so far common sense has stopped me. October 21, 2014 at 7:56am
Michaela: The story of your father’s promise is just beautiful!
Sorry I can’t help. October 21, 2014 at 8:03am
Elisa: Oh, I’m sorry you lost that! I’m not sure I trust those recreations. I imagine sometimes it’s the materials themselves that are no longer available. October 21, 2014 at 9:20am
Cornelia Blimber: Thank God I have a bottle of Theorema and Fendi as well.
And Le Dix.
So Pretty was a favourite, it was such a charming perfume.
But life goes on.
I like articles about discontinued perfumes. discontinued but not forgotten. October 21, 2014 at 8:09am
Elisa: Hi Cornelia! I too cherish my bottles of Theorema and Fendi. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! October 21, 2014 at 9:20am
JennyJo: Oh, Le Dix! I stil have one (small) still sealed bottle and a half-finished one. And then… 🙁 My vintage Arpege extrait has sadly turned and I’m afraid of buying any on the internet. I once bought a bottle of Detchema which had gone absolutely rancid – but did cost me over a 100 dollars. October 22, 2014 at 1:27am
Solanace: I brought Le Dix to my mom when I came back from Paris, ten years ago. She loves it, and now it’s almost over. I agree it is a beautiful, and hard to replace perfume. October 22, 2014 at 4:03am
Carla: I used to live in the Back Bay and the South End and whenever I wandered through Copley Mall I sprayed at Sephora. Often I would put on a bit of Envy! October 21, 2014 at 8:24am
Elisa: That’s where I got my Envy! I think I must have bought it shortly before it was discontinued. Should have bought a bigger bottle! October 21, 2014 at 9:21am
limegreen: When I was looking up reviews of Jo Loves 42 The Flower Shop, one blogger mentioned that her impression, and excitedly, was that it was a lot like her long lost Gucci Envy. I ended up getting JL 42 FS at the London boutique, it’s very green, and captures the cold florist fridge flowers feel. When I got home, I only had the tiniest sample of GE to compare it with, and they are similar (to my newbie nose) though GE seems to be much more lush. 42 Flower Shop does conjure up cut stems and flowers. October 21, 2014 at 10:23am
Elisa: Ooh, good tip! October 21, 2014 at 10:25am
angeldiva: Limegreen,
I love your line,”Captures the cold florist fridge flowers feel…”
Wonderfully descriptive! Hope some perfume creators are reading!
P. October 22, 2014 at 9:39pm
Jennifer: I looked for YEARS for a bottle of Aura from Thierry Mugler’s Parfum Coffret (which was something like $700 when it was released for a short time). I remember emailing Mugler and being told that Aura would be released as its own, standalone fragrance but this never happened. FINALLY, a few months ago, I found a guy in Germany on a niche sales site that was selling it, and miraculously, it’s in my hands today. It’s probably my favourite scent EVER but I daren’t use it too much lest it go (I think it’s only 15ml, anyway!) October 21, 2014 at 8:29am
Elisa: Wow, what a story! I’m so glad you were finally able to get some! October 21, 2014 at 9:22am
angeldiva: Jennifer,
Great story!!!
P. October 22, 2014 at 2:16am
lupo: Lost from the gentlemen’s counter 🙂
Minotaure Paloma Picasso – and that one I really mourn it. Used to love it so much. Roma Biagiotti comes really close, but not quite the same.
Relax Davidoff – apparently available in Germany only, another great one.
Insense’ Givenchy, the floral one (nothing to do witn Incense, the incense one :)), officially dismissed from the line.
Signoricci – more elusive than the unicorn!
Very irresistible for men, the mint and chocolate one – i used to love it, never been able to track it back!
Kenzo Air – gone too!
… or maybe someone knows if they are still in production?
About the most recent ones, I noticed that Vetyver Jo Malone is not listed on their website, and in fact some blogs report that it is not in production anymore. That would be a pity, it’s a great little vetyver number! October 21, 2014 at 9:41am
Elisa: If you like mint and chocolate, have you tried A*Men?
Also, via Fragrantica: “if ever you have the chance to layer Etro anice with Encre noire the result is unmistakably ———-> kenzoAIR!” October 21, 2014 at 9:45am
lupo: I did try A*Men, and who hasn’t, really? 🙂 Never warmed to it.
Very Irresistible was less brash, probably more hazelnut/coffee than chocolate, actually.
And Dior Homme Cologne 2007? That was a good one too. Gone 🙂 October 21, 2014 at 9:59am
Elisa: A*Men is a bit much even for me, I admit, and I love Angel… October 21, 2014 at 10:00am
limegreen: Thanks for a fun article! I haven’t been trying fragrances long enough to mourn any lost perfumes so I can’t chime in on this score. A JM SA mentioned at the Wood, Sage and Sea Salt launch that JM Vetyver is being replaced in the permanent collection by WSSS. It was supposed to be Vanilla and Anise but VA had more of a following apparently! Wild Fig and Cassis is not as popular and that may be next on the chopping block. I’m a fan of WFC so that would be too bad.l And I agree with lugo that the JM Vetyver is wonderful, very sparkling. October 21, 2014 at 10:01am
Elisa: WFAC is one of the only Jo Malones I like! Oh well. October 21, 2014 at 10:05am
limegreen: Vanilla and Anise smells like rootbeer to me, I would not have mourned its being replaced, instead of Vetyver! October 21, 2014 at 11:29am
lupo: Thanks for the info Limegeeen. So that is it, Vetyver is gone. And Vetyver Cafe’ too, by the way. That was anoter intersting one.
I haven’t sampled Wood Sage and Sea Salt, but willing to. The name is a bit of a mouthful, but really intriguing. I’ve seen the review somewhere (here?) – I’m off to read it! October 21, 2014 at 12:12pm
limegreen: Lupo — Sorry for calling you lugo!
You can still get Vetyver in stores until their stock is gone.
I hope WF&C won’t depart — it’s my favorite fig fragrance. The Sa’s were only guessing based on the ancillary products being phased out, usually a sign that a fragrance is on its way out. October 21, 2014 at 12:26pm
limegreen: WSSS is a mouthful, makes me think of ROUS in “The Princess Bride” (sorry, my mind works in a non-linear fashion)! October 21, 2014 at 12:53pm
angeldiva: Hi Lupo,
Paloma Picasso- Minotaure is available at:www.loehmanns.com
2.5 oz. $48.19 US
Davidoff- Relax is available at: O.co
sample .17 oz. $12.99
Signoricci – there are some after shave bottles
less than $20.
on Amazon.com larger bottles are $210.
*Is Givenchy – “Insense Ultramarine” similar to “Insense”
found on O.co and http://www.loehmanns.com
P. October 21, 2014 at 9:44pm
angeldiva: LUPO
Sorry! Signoricci :Those little after shave bottles are on Ebay. October 21, 2014 at 9:49pm
lupo: Thanks for your very precious search Angeldiva! You found them all 🙂
I’ll check the websites, Minotaure is on the shopping list already. October 22, 2014 at 12:52am
angeldiva: Lupo,
It was my great pleasure! But, in all fairness -I didn’t find your Kenzo-Air. But, as it says in the bible: Seek (your rare perfume) and you will find.
🙂
P. October 22, 2014 at 2:20am
Audrey: Oh , Theorema. I have hoarded bottle and *just* scored a bottle of extrait so hopefully I am set! I cry more for reformulations. It’s like showing me ice cream, it looks like ice cream, but in the end tastes like vinegar. Leaves you wanting ice cream even more. October 21, 2014 at 9:52am
Elisa: It’s true, reformulations really sting! When I first started getting into perfume, I would hear about these magical vintage perfumes and a few times, I bought the modern version. Never the same. October 21, 2014 at 9:54am
Sandra: I am not sure how “gone” this fragrance is, but when I was younger-and in High School, I took a trip to Italy and I got a small sample of Gio by Giorgio Armani, not that aqua, but just the regular stuff. I really loved that smell-and of course being that young I could not afford anything as expensive as that. I kept that sample for a long time and used it all up. I remember everytime I smelled it it took me back to my high school trip in Italy. Wish I could find it now. October 21, 2014 at 9:59am
Elisa: Oh, I remember that one! Rather, I remember the bottles and ads, but not the smell. Checked online and the bottles are $200-300. Oof! October 21, 2014 at 10:04am
Nancy: I loved Gio as well! So sad. I find Diptyque Do Son EDP is slightly reminiscent of Gio, at least what I can remember… October 21, 2014 at 1:50pm
Sandra: Well- I loved it but I will keep the 200 bucks in my pocket! October 21, 2014 at 4:08pm
lari: Fendi, always Fendi.
Also, Kiehl’s Moroccan Jasmine Essence. Oh how I miss these two. I can find Fendi occasionally but at totally unaffordable prices. Onward! October 21, 2014 at 10:05am
Elisa: I stumbled upon Fendi at a moving sale for almost nothing — pure luck! October 21, 2014 at 10:12am
Audri Carr: I was always very fond of Dior’s J’Adore. My latest bottle smells nothing like it and evaporates on me in 30 minutes.I adore Jicky, Diorissimo,Paris and the Guerlain Citrus line. Aqua Allegro Mandarin Basil lasts eight hours on me!
I don’t understand why they keep reformulating. Jicky has gone that way too. October 21, 2014 at 10:08am
Elisa: The J’Adore L’Absolu is supposed to be closer to the original, but it’s not cheap. October 21, 2014 at 10:18am
angeldiva: Hi Audri,
I just purchased my first Aqua Allegoria yesterday, and I am in LOVE! It’s the Herba Fresca. It doesn’t last long, but it smells amazing with my chemistry. More honey than mint, and very alluring in a young summery way.
P. October 21, 2014 at 8:10pm
Portia: Hey Elisa,
I have stockpiled Liberte by Cacharel, Blonde by Versace, Boucheron Femme and Trouble by Boucheron. Also I have a small vintage bottle of Fendi Donna. Also Gucci Envy Men.
Portia xx October 21, 2014 at 10:10am
Elisa: Are Fendi Donna and “Fendi by Fendi” the same? I imagine so? The older Fendi’s were so good! October 21, 2014 at 10:19am
Patricia: Portia, I have a bottle of the Blonde, too. Must admit that I bought it for the gorgeous bottle, but I also like the take-no-prisoners white flower fragrance inside! October 22, 2014 at 9:43am
Patricia: Count me in the hoarder camp. I love the old fragrances and the beautiful bottles they came in.
Great article, Elisa! October 21, 2014 at 10:20am
Elisa: Thank you Pat! October 21, 2014 at 10:25am
FeralJasmine: My most cherished “list” scent is vintage Opium, but I have enough to last years stockpiled. Also love L’Arte di Gucci and agree that there is nothing quite like it. Theorema is my Thanksgiving and Christmas perfume, and I have enough to mast a few more holidays if I’m careful. The one I miss most and can’t afford to stockpile is the late lamented Tom Ford Velvet Gardenia, the greatest realistic gardenia ever. If only TF would bring that one back, even briefly… October 21, 2014 at 10:22am
Elisa: I don’t wear Theorema very often so my bottle should last me a long time — but I’m worried about it going off.
A realistic gardenia is probably too expensive to make! That must be why there are none. October 21, 2014 at 10:56am
Cath: I’m stockpiling a few discontinued favourites too. Boucheron Trouble, Gucci Eau de Parfum (the first one in the square bottle that weighs a ton), Guerlain AA Ylang Vanille and 2 bottles of the original Murasaki by Shiseido. These are a few that I can’t imagine ever being without. October 21, 2014 at 10:49am
Elisa: Doesn’t it make you wonder what perfumes you love now will be “lost”/discontinued in 5-10 years? Scary… October 21, 2014 at 10:56am
cassieflower: JPG Fragile. just… why? I know it’s available online for ridiculous amounts of moolah, but I just refuse to pay that!
And what they’ve done to Magie Noire, it might as well be discontinued, as it doesn’t bear much resemblance to the one I used to know. October 21, 2014 at 11:11am
Therése: I too miss Fragile. I just can’t understand why it was discontinued … October 22, 2014 at 7:46am
cassieflower: Oh yeah, and Donna Karan Gold. Have backups of this one, though. Should keep me happy for a few years. October 21, 2014 at 11:16am
Elisa: I’ve got two backups! Gold is the best lily in the universe. But I think you can still find it for *relatively* inexpensive prices online… October 21, 2014 at 11:30am
cassieflower: Hi Elisa,
I couldn’t agree more that this is one splendid lily, I love how voluptuous it is, maybe it is the amber and spice that rounds it out. Also, this is the perfume that draws most comments when I wear it (all good ones). I recently saw Gold online at a good price, and this thread reminded me that I really NEED to have some more in my backup stash. So I have added another one just now. So thank you October 21, 2014 at 4:45pm
Elisa: Sorry for enabling you but I’m glad you have it! 🙂 October 21, 2014 at 4:55pm
Jennifer C: You can find it really cheap on Amazon. There was one for $14 but I think it got away from me. I think I can still get one for $20 or so. I’m probably going to order a bottle soon. October 21, 2014 at 4:59pm
Anne: Oh that is a lovely post! I used to love love love Gucci envy.
I am terribly missing D & G Feminine . I adored this perfume and the elegant and simple bottle.
I also miss terribly Helmut Lang the cologne fro her. This was my signature scent and I have never found anything to replace it since… sad face…
Anne. October 21, 2014 at 11:16am
George: Helmut Lang Eau de Cologne is about to be relaunched (if that is the one you are talking about) http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2014/10/10/helmut-lang-fragrances-relaunching-in-uk October 21, 2014 at 12:01pm
Anne Sheffield: Exiting! But not the one I am after. The one I mean is the perfume for her. Maybe the cologne will smell similar? Or maybe this means that the perfume for her will be relaunched too?????? Oh the possibilities!!! Yeahhhh October 21, 2014 at 4:05pm
George: The eau de parfum has been re-released as well. It’s probably worth looking these up on fragrantica. They were both originally released in 2000 and created by Maurice Roucel and are supposed to smell similar (and I think from the vogue article that he may well be doing the re-issues). The Eau de parfum seems to be more understood as being the more feminine one. The luckyscent link below also details the three scents that are being re-issued. I suspect the EDP might well turn out to be the perfume you are looking for. October 21, 2014 at 4:19pm
Elisa: Thank you Anne! The comments are really full of sad stories today 🙁 October 21, 2014 at 12:05pm
George: stateside stockist https://www.luckyscent.com/shop/category/670/page/1/brand/Helmut_Lang.html October 21, 2014 at 12:09pm
George: (see barneys too) October 21, 2014 at 12:12pm
Maggie: Yes, was going to say that Luckyscent now has all three of the re-issued Helmut Lang fragrances, but George beat me to it! October 21, 2014 at 8:58pm
Debby: New here, though been lurking for a while, but this post is very close to my heart, so many lost wonders! For me, Gucci Eau de parfum, the brown one from the mid 2000s, SJP Covet, and the Angel flower flankers which were heavenly and more complex than the original. My Mum mourns the loss of Dolce & Gabbanna By. October 21, 2014 at 11:47am
Elisa: Welcome, Debby, thank you for commenting! I have samples of a couple of those floral Angels — I went through a mini of the rose one, which was fantastic! October 21, 2014 at 12:21pm
Debby: I still have my sample pack, I had a full size of the violet, but they are all gorgeous. October 21, 2014 at 2:26pm
angeldiva: Debby,
You can purchase SJP -Covet from http://www.loehmanns.com
P. October 22, 2014 at 7:59am
Lynley: Hi Elisa 🙂
I notice you’ve mentioned Yvresse and Oro as replacements, but these too are gone, and Yvresse being one of my favourites 🙁
I also have a small stockpile of YSL Nu, Rochas Alchimie, Theorema, Gucci edp, Organza Indecence, and desperately wish I had some Gucci Envy for Men, and some M7 too.. October 21, 2014 at 11:50am
Elisa: You can still find Yvresse for under $100, but yeah, probably not for long. Oro, though, can be found quite cheaply and it’s great fun! It’s by Maurice Roucel. October 21, 2014 at 12:06pm
chloe: My lost perfume is Midnight Poison (Dior). I’m 28 and it’s been my signature perfume for last 7 years. I try hard to find something similar close to it since it discontinued but nothing. i wish i had backups… October 21, 2014 at 12:03pm
Elisa: I think somebody was offering a bottle of this for swap in the latest NST swap? Ah, no, just checked. It was Tendre Poison. Darn. October 21, 2014 at 12:19pm
chloe: any similar to midnight poison?? does anyone knows?? October 23, 2014 at 12:02pm
Annette Reynolds: I become relentlessly sad when I think of the fragrances I’ve truly loved and lost. It’s nice to know there are others out there who understand…
My lost fragrances are a rather odd bunch – most people have never heard of them as they’re not from big perfume houses, nor are they French.
Number One on my list of all-time big losses is “Sun Shower” by Prince Matchabelli. It was out in the early 70’s and I adored it. (And think I still would.) A beautiful, lasting, sweet citrus cologne that was different from anything else out there. I’ve never found anything like it again.
My second big loss was fairly recent, when Crabtree & Evelyn discontinued “Savannah Gardens” a gorgeous floral described as “Southern flowers warmed by vanilla and amber.” The main notes were supposedly Star Jasmine, Vanilla, Orange Blossom, and Hyacinth, but I’m willing to say there was a whole lot more to it than that. I still have a couple of bottles, and they still make the body lotion/shower gel (as of this moment, anyway), but having worn this scent since 1980 (when it was still being made by Scarborough & Co in England), I’m still sad to know I just can’t go out and buy a fresh bottle.
And my third big loss was just this year when Caswell-Massey – the oldest perfumer in America (who’s now owned by some other company that doesn’t give a damn about tradition, but only cares about the bottom line) – unceremoniously dumped a men’s Sandalwood blend called “Tricorn.” “Tricorn” had been made for well over 100 years… I’ve worn it since 1977. I only have a bottle and a half left… No going back on this one. It was GORGEOUS.
Oh, there are a few more, but that’s my BIG THREE. I’ve spent years looking for a replacement for “Sun Shower,” to no avail. I imagine the same can be said for the other two.
Oh shoot… I have tears in my eyes! 🙁
When will companies understand that the Bottom Line can still be served through tradition and beauty? October 21, 2014 at 12:06pm
Elisa: Old sandalwood perfumes are truly precious, since they can’t really use it anymore. I hoard a bit of the old “Cologne Concentree” version of Egoiste — the sandalwood in there is amazing. October 21, 2014 at 12:10pm
Annette Reynolds: I’ll have to try to sniff a sample… maybe Perfumed Court still has it.
Thanks, Elisa. October 21, 2014 at 12:29pm
angeldiva: Hi Annette,
There are currently 5 listings on ebay for “Sunshowers” – Prince Matchabelli
The prices varied- some looked quite good!
P. October 21, 2014 at 10:08pm
Annette Reynolds: Thanks so much for thinking of me! It was very sweet of you to look on eBay.
Unfortunately, since Sunshower was basically an Eau de Cologne, the remaining fragrance has always “gone off.”
I bought a bottle a couple of years ago and was disappointed, since it was a brand new bottle (well, as new as it can be from 1972). But it was the splash and not really well sealed, so the next time I bought one (yes, I did it again) I decided on a spray bottle, because the old, inexpensive spray bottles were usually capped with a permanent sprayer. But even that one had gone bad.
Sigh… October 22, 2014 at 1:21am
angeldiva: Annette,
You really gave it the old college try!
P. October 22, 2014 at 2:26am
Erry: I remember smelling my mother’s Cartier So Pretty when I was still a teenager. As the name suggested, So Pretty was just so pretty that I kept sniffing the bottle from time to time, but I didn’t dare wear it because it was too mature for me.
And then it was gone and I missed it.
About a year ago, I cleaned the store room and found two miniature-bottles of So Pretty edp in a small box. An those bottles still smell well. I felt really lucky!! October 21, 2014 at 12:26pm
Elisa: You can still sometimes find cheap mini’s of perfumes that are all but gone in full bottle size — I first tried both So Pretty and Theorema that way. October 21, 2014 at 12:30pm
Kat: That’s a great idea. You can often find rare perfumes in miniature bottles on ebay (or similar platformes). Some folks sell their sample collections – occasionally even listing all perfumes. I just looked at my collection that I haven’t touched over a decade and lo and behold there was L’Arte by Gucci. I guess plenty of others in my stash have disappeared too but I haven’t checked yet which ones. October 21, 2014 at 1:34pm
angeldiva: Erry,
What a happy story! Thanks for sharing this!
P. October 22, 2014 at 9:59pm
Carolina: Hi! I feel everyone’s pain. I fell hard for Satellite Padparadscha recently only to discover it is discontinued. I don’t think there is any substitute for this one. I googled to the last page of the internet and when I was in France visiting my family I called a Satellite boutique, to no avail. I have maybe two sprays left in my sample. I am so sad! October 21, 2014 at 12:32pm
Elisa: I often make the mistake of hoarding samples until they evaporate. Might as well use it! October 21, 2014 at 1:27pm
Adriana: L’Arte Di Gucci! I mourn that one heavily still. Nothing similar there after! 🙁 October 21, 2014 at 12:38pm
Elisa: I think Lumeire Noire pour femme comes close-ish — do try it if you can! October 21, 2014 at 1:27pm
Ariadne: I second that! L’Arte Di Gucci is OOAK and I cannot get over it. October 21, 2014 at 6:10pm
Absolute Scentualist: I got very lucky and was able to buy two 100ml tester bottles of L’Arte in edp around eight or nine years ago. A friend sent me a sample and when I raved about it to her, she said a little stash had appeared at an online discounter, no less, and I was able to snap some up. It is just beautiful and in my top 5 perfumes ever. Now and then I check auction sites and contemplate another backup since I’m almost through one of the bottles, but haven’t bought one quite yet since the price is so steep.
The news about Miss Dior Cherie is really distressing. I’m down to about 10ml, and a backup has been on my list for quite a while. Is the original version totally gone? I’m not well connected in perfume circles and aside from the obvious like auction sites, would have no idea where to look. Also being blind makes finding the right bottle/packaging difficult since I know what my bottle feels like, but can’t often get details I need from potential sellers. But I fell for it just when I really got into perfume and it holds a fun and happy place in my memories and collection.
Recently, the Natori in the purple bottle was discontinued. There was a discounter on an auction site selling 100ml bottles for about $25. I’ve bought three so far and might buy a couple more just to be safe. It is a go to, second skin, makes me feel pretty perfume and I simply must keep some on hand. I wore it for anniversaries, a birth and whenever I need to feel beautiful. So sad it will be gone someday, probably sooner rather than later. October 21, 2014 at 1:41pm
Elisa: I’m not sure how difficult it is to find the original MDC — I would just be nervous, personally, about people online listing it inaccurately since the name changes are so confusing. I guess if you know the bottle/packaging designs, you could probably find it in a brick-and-mortar discount shop, like one of those mall kiosks.
I love Natori! Included it in my fall top 10 — shame it’s DC’ed. October 21, 2014 at 2:18pm
Marina: I miss Cacharel Eau d’Eden. Pure 90s nostalgia. October 21, 2014 at 2:54pm
Elisa: I’m probably the only one but the ’90s perfume I miss sometimes is the original, pre-reform Calvin Klein Escape! It was a calone bomb. October 21, 2014 at 3:29pm
Sandra: I loved that one too October 21, 2014 at 4:16pm
angeldiva: Hi Marina,
Cacharel “Eden” is available at http://www.loehmanns.com
Is this similar to Eau de Eden?
P. October 21, 2014 at 8:17pm
Annette Reynolds: You can still buy this online. As a matter of fact, I just bought a bottle just for the sake of smelling it, since I’d never heard of it!
But it’s just not me…
Would you like it? If so, you can contact me through my website. I’ll be happy to send it to you. October 22, 2014 at 1:25am
angeldiva: Annette,
Wow, were you addressing me? Angeldiva?
P. October 22, 2014 at 5:30am
Annette Reynolds: No, sorry, Angeldiva! Was “talking” to Marina since she was lonely for “Eden.” October 22, 2014 at 11:58am
angeldiva: Annette,
LOL!!! I wish you both a perfume rainbow! Also, was thinking of your sorrow over “Sunshower.”
*Have it cloned! There are more companies,now that do this. Sometimes you don’t even have to send the sample- they know the juice. The one I read about last night was $59.99 US for a scent matching. When I lived in Palm Springs, California there was a highly reputable company that did this. But, the recession of 2008 hit the Coachella Valley hard, and I can’t find out who that company was, now.
I think you’d be happy if you had more of this perfume. It obviously brought back good vibrations for you! I don’t know if I would employ one of the essential oil dupers- that’s a different zip code.
P. October 22, 2014 at 10:09pm
Victoria: Just a word of caution in regards to such companies. Besides the fact that copying a perfume without an original author’s permission is unethical, it is very hard to do. The quality of ingredients, exclusive (so-called, captive) materials in the original make a formula hard to duplicate. So, my advice is not to waste money on such questionable (and potentially illegal) activities and just look for another perfume. The search itself is fun! October 23, 2014 at 5:51am
Annette Reynolds: Thanks to you both for thinking of me… Unfortunately, I don’t have any Sunshower that even remotely smells like it’s supposed to, so I can’t even have someone (like Miss Victoria) sniff it to tell me what might be a good substitute.
I only have my – very poor – memory and 60 year old nose.
Victoria, if I ever manage to get hold of unadulterated Sunshower I’m sending you a vial… 🙂 October 23, 2014 at 11:26am
Alison Mackay: Can you recommend anything similar to Must de Cartier II which is discontinued please? October 21, 2014 at 3:18pm
Elisa: Another one I haven’t tried but maybe someone else can help! From the notes it looks like it might be similar to Le Temps d’un Fete or Safari. October 21, 2014 at 3:34pm
angeldiva: Hi Ms. Mackay,
Would “Must de Cartier,” suffice? You can purchase it at O.co.
P. October 21, 2014 at 6:18pm
paola: Giorgio Armani for woman, launched in 1982.
I really miss that scent. October 21, 2014 at 3:32pm
Anne: Is that the cylindric golden bottle? because it is still fairly available in Sephora in Europa? October 22, 2014 at 7:47am
solanace: Wearing Armani today :), the one with a black cap, reviewed by Gaia here:
http://www.thenonblonde.com/2010/07/armani-by-giorgio-armani-1982-vintage.html
Beautiful, and so very elegant! October 22, 2014 at 8:19pm
Lindsay: A nostalgic scent I miss is Lancôme Aromatonic. I know you can still find bottles on eBay. October 21, 2014 at 3:52pm
Joy: Fragrances that I miss and have not found a substitute for are: Alfred Sung Spa. This was such a wonderful fragrance that could be worn almost on any occasion. My sister-in-law loved it also. She found it along with lotion listed on Amazon last year and ordered it. Although Amazon has a message that comes on that says they do not sell knock-offs, this replacement for Spa was horrible. She had to throw it away.
I miss most Diorella. The box with its navy blue and white hound’s tooth check and navy blue cap was lovely. The fragrance was so fresh, clean, but complex. I ordered a sample from one of the sample companies. There was a faint, fleeting remembrance of the real Diorella. I also loved Norell, the original Chanel no. 5, Je Revien by Worth. One of my favorites was Cabochard especially the perfume in the stoppered bottle with the gray velvet bow. I ordered a bottle of Cabochard from one of the perfume discount websites. It was a very watered down hint of the real fragrance. Bandit edt does have a lot of the same charm and leather complexity. I loved the original Paris. The rose was so real. The current Paris is very good, no doubt, but the original was sublime.
I have found that it is really risky purchasing an old favorite from a discount website. I have not been happy with a couple of my purchases.
I have found new perfumes that are complex and wonderful. It is just that I have such wonderful memories with the lost, original scents.
It has been wonderful to have this opportunity today to discuss and read about these lost fragrances. It brought back a lot of memories. October 21, 2014 at 4:21pm
Elisa: Thank you, Joy! I agree it is risky to order older perfumes — you never know which version you are going to get. Even if you are an expert on the packaging differences, sometimes the pictures are not accurate.
If you like those old bitter leather chypres, try Aramis — a lot of the same character. October 21, 2014 at 4:28pm
Joy: Thank you for the suggestion. I do like Aramis for its bitter, leather, chypres. I haven’t purchased a bottle in a long time. I will try a decant. October 21, 2014 at 5:18pm
angeldiva: Elisa,
Wonderful idea for a post! You can purchase Gucci Envy (EDT 1oz.) from O.co.. I’ve never had a problem with their perfume. There is currently a Gucci Envy exfoliating body wash available ,too!
Now for my own long lost scent love. Sigh… A very innocent Yardley drug store scent circa: 1971. It was called ,”Mountain Greenery.” Can anyone advise me?
It was the chypree of chyprees! Green on green on GREEN. But, with a sweet note added as well. Wearing it was heaven . It came in a little cardboard tube. The bottle was long and thin, the juice was bright green.
Thanks to Victoria I purchased Vent Vert- very similar opening. But, alas, Mountain Greenery was sweeter.
P. October 21, 2014 at 6:27pm
Elisa: Wish I could help but I haven’t tried it! Maybe Private Collection or YSL Y? October 21, 2014 at 6:51pm
angeldiva: Thank-you so much! I will find a way to try them both! With regards to the YSL. Is -Y- the full name? Couldn’t find it in the brilliant reviews by Victoria.
P. October 21, 2014 at 7:09pm
Elisa: Yes, the full name is Y: http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Yves-Saint-Laurent/Y-100.html
It’s a crisp green floral chypre. October 21, 2014 at 7:11pm
Annette Reynolds: I don’t remember “Mountain Greenery” but I do remember loving a lot of those Yardley scents that came out in the late 60’s/early 70’s.
Do you recall the Lipslicks? Very mod… And they had their own darling fragrance.
I’d give just about anything to smell that one more time. It was such a wonderful time in my life. October 22, 2014 at 1:29am
angeldiva: Hi Joy,
Cabochard is available on O.co..
P. October 21, 2014 at 6:28pm
Joy: I will look there. Thanks for the suggestion!
Joy October 22, 2014 at 2:33pm
angeldiva: Hi!
A follow up: Many of these fragrances are on O.co including the dreaded Paco Rabonne Calandre.
I have loved finding my old long lost loves on this site. If you have a Ma Griffe Madame you can find that, too!
Here’s the best way to experience this site.
a. Buy A Membership – worth every penny
b. Wait for the coupons! They will come fast and furious. If you pass on the 8%- you’ll get a 10% -all the way to the top 15%
c. Build O Rewards dollars. With every dollar you spend you get 5% in website credit!!!
There is free shipping and NO TAX. Depending on your membership or minimum.
**** A word to the wise*******
O.co will not take back perfume. Unless… “The package was damaged…”
And, read the reviews. There is much information there for the perfume purist, and counterfeits exist, but are not the norm.
You can also call customer service in Utah and negotiate certain things. This how I remodeled my house, too.
Happy Hunting,
P. October 21, 2014 at 6:50pm
Michaela: You are a treasure, angeldiva! 🙂 Very kind in sharing! October 22, 2014 at 8:33am
angeldiva: Michaela,
Thank-you for your kind words. This is a fun therapy for me! I need a good distraction from my work at this time.
Next week: Palm Springs here I come!
P. October 22, 2014 at 9:24pm
angeldiva: Miss Dior Cherie is there, too! But, I did not see your Fendi.
P. October 21, 2014 at 6:55pm
angeldiva: Hi,
I guess I’m in a sharing mood! Plus I love this website, and all of you!
Discount perfumes can be purchased at:
www. loehmanns.com
There are high end scents: Creed , Floris, and many versions of Miss Dior.
Here are more:
Mugler- Angel Innocent
Fath de Fath – For Women
Cacharel- Eden
Fendi- Fan Di Fendi
Also: The Courreges scents I wore in junior high.
Giorgio- and many of the Gale and Fred Haymens perfumes.
A while back people were rhapsodizing about retro drug store scents. Many of them were here:
Coty- many selections, but not the (holy grail) Chypre
Charlie- someone wanted this. I don’t know about the original, but you can buy:
Silver, Red, Blue and White versions
TIGRESS- “Captivates”
Ciara
Maja- Myrurgia
and…. the very old drug store staples:
Cache
Windsong ( did you know this was the only scent that the late great country singer- Patsy Cline- ever wore?
Elizabeth Arden – Sunflowers
There are 24 pages of many types of scents here at amazing prices.
P. October 21, 2014 at 8:31pm
Loric: I still have my original bottle of So Pretty. I haven’t worn it for years but that’s because I want to keep it. I also have a partial bottle of Must de Cartier from the 90’s. My most prized bottle is of L’Air du Temps pure perfume that I received for Christmas in 1974. October 21, 2014 at 8:47pm
Elisa: It’s very hard to use those precious older bottles! Even if I used them up I think I’d save the bottles. October 21, 2014 at 9:04pm
Christiana: L’occitaine Honey Water 🙁
Anyone got some that they are willing to pass on? October 21, 2014 at 9:17pm
Lynley: Ohhhh! And L’Occitane Neroli! October 21, 2014 at 10:15pm
angeldiva: Aveda – Joshua Tree
I just can’t bare the prices on ebay. Would love to find any of this.
Thanks!
P. October 21, 2014 at 9:52pm
angeldiva: Rest In Peace: Oscar de La Renta
Yours was my first perfume love. I would get a rare whiff of it once in a while circa 1975. Then a woman walked in the shop where I worked in junior high, and I worked up the courage to ask her what scent she was wearing.
She was a beautiful older Los Angeles woman. She graciously told me the name: Oscar de La Renta. I wrote it down, and she winked at me and said,”Enjoy your perfume!”
I saved my money, and again it took real courage to work out the bus lines from the beach to Westwood Village. I bought the quarter ounce of parfum for $23.00. That was a big price tag, but the scent had not been around forever like now.
I also met a make-up artist, and a female recording artist who signed her record for me at her Westwood apartment.
It was a day that changed my life. I would spend thirty years as a working musician. I felt sooooo much like a woman when I wore that perfume.
P. October 22, 2014 at 2:55am
Solanace: This is an amazing story! October 22, 2014 at 3:46am
angeldiva: Solanace,
Thank-you! I believe this story actually happened in late 1977. This was the year the perfume came out. In 1978 they won the FIFI award for this (his first) perfume. I just ordered his espirit version of Oscar. Thinking of his great artistic Spirit tonight. Also, sent my condolences via his website. So sad.
I didn’t even know he was ill. October 22, 2014 at 5:23am
solanace: Me neither. 🙁
I”m glad he did Amal’s dress, though. Such an inspiring way to leave this life, and she looked gorgeous in it. October 22, 2014 at 6:33am
angeldiva: Solanace,
I agree! What an encore! And, on the world stage, too. Who didn’t see that dress?
Also, he was such a remarkably HANDSOME man! I wonder why people didn’t comment more about his extraordinary looks, but he may have been shy that way like my dear late father was.
P. October 22, 2014 at 9:18pm
Solanace: Never knew any of these, but thank you for looking for substitutes. This is sweet.
I immensely enjoy (and kind of hoard) my vintage Armani and Samsara bottles, and the original Karl Lagerfeld mini, which I adore… And I miss old, big Jolie Madame, the perfume I wore to my wedding. October 22, 2014 at 3:45am
Elisa: I heard so many good things about Armani Sensi I bought a bottle unsniffed when I found it. Ended up swapping it because it didn’t stand out in my collection, but it was a lovely fragrance. October 22, 2014 at 9:38am
solanace: Hey Elisa,
Mine is just Armani, the black one. Lovely dark rose. 🙂 October 22, 2014 at 10:20am
Therése: I miss Jean Paul Gaultiers Fragile edp. I wore it for years and loooved it. Can’t understand why they discontinued it.
If anyone knows of a scent that smells similar, please let me know! October 22, 2014 at 5:14am
Therése: I miss Jean Paul Gaultiers Fragile edp. I wore it for years and loooved it. Can’t understand why they discontinued it.
If anyone knows of a scent that smells similar, please let me know! October 22, 2014 at 5:14am
Elisa: It was by Francis Kurkdjian — maybe explore his other white florals? I see overlap in a lot of his scents! October 22, 2014 at 9:41am
Therése: Oh, good idea! Thank you! October 23, 2014 at 2:45am
annemarie: There are indeed a lot of sad stories today. I’ve been thinking about my collection and wondering what I now take for granted but which would break my heart if if was d/c. My greatest loss would probably by L’Ambre des Merveilles. I know of nothing else like it for cool warmth and airy sweetness. You can get fragrances that, note for note, might offer a reasonable substitute for a lost fragrance, but it’s the character and the memories which are impossible to replace. October 22, 2014 at 5:19am
Elisa: Perhaps a good day to buy a backup bottle! October 22, 2014 at 9:41am
Gentiana: My “mourning list” of lost perfumes:
(about in the order of frustration I have):
– Cartier So Pretty (tried dozens of versions of layerings to recompose it)
– Gucci EDP (the brown one in cubic bottle, spicy-woody miracle)
– Rochas Alchimie
– Fendi Fendi for Women
– Fendi Theorema
– Nina Ricci Fleur des Fleurs (gorgeous green floral, something at the border of chypre and cologne, with a wonderfully intriguing bittersweet trail)
– Cacharel Noa Fleur (I was happy to find something similar to Fleur des Fleurs, then this one disappeared , too )
– Gucci Envy
– Jacomo Perle de Silences
– Calvin Klein Contradiction (perfectly fitting name for a great fragrance)
– Boucheron Jaipur
– Boucheron Jaipur Saphir
– Boucheron Trouble
– Paco Rabanne La Nuit
– Kenzo Jungle le Tigre
– Kenzo for Women
– Trussardi Donna
– Trussardi Python
– Rochas Aqua Woman
– Giorgio Armani GIO
I owned and used them all (except the Jaipur, Jaipur Saphir and Le Tigre, a friend of mine shared these with me, I used a few times some spritzes from her bottles)
I am angry on myself for not making staples of these gems…. October 22, 2014 at 5:25am
angeldiva: Gentiana,
Your Gucci edp in the brown box is available on http://www.loehmanns.com
2.5 oz. for $66.19 US +tax
*free shipping
P. October 22, 2014 at 6:59am
Gentiana: Thank you, I checked, but no, they have only Gucci by Gucci… it is a totally different perfume.
The real one, the Gucci EDP I love was released in 2002 and was discontinued about when the other appeared (2007). October 22, 2014 at 9:25am
angeldiva: I feel your pain…
P. October 22, 2014 at 9:13pm
angeldiva: Gentiana,
If you read this: your discontinued Gucci eau parfum is available on overstock.com.
2-14-15.
LOVE February 14, 2015 at 3:37am
Elisa: I love Jaipur! It’s not mentioned often. I went through a mini, which I found online — you might still be able to find a mini. October 22, 2014 at 9:42am
Joy: I forgot to include the beautiful Boucheron Jaipur Saphir on my list. What an elegant fragrance it was. Now I can’t find a remnant of it on a discount website or anywhere. It is as if it never existed. I wore tiny dots of it to the opera and symphony. tiny so that I would not offend the fragrance free people.
Joy October 22, 2014 at 2:41pm
angeldiva: Much love to the references to mourning, and being sad…
In actuality I am speaking about the fact that Mr. Oscar De La Renta -the designer- passed away today in Connecticut, USA.
Felt the need to clarify out of respect for the soul of this great artistic man. October 22, 2014 at 5:35am
Leticia: Hi all!
Have Gucci Envy love so much!!
Luckily where I live is still easy to find !! October 22, 2014 at 6:31pm
Ez: Oh Lord, I still hurt for Gucci Envy October 25, 2014 at 6:53am
angeldiva: EZ,
Please check o.co -you will find Gucci Envy for $67.00 US
P. October 29, 2014 at 7:00pm
Lynn Morgan: What a wonderful post and such a touching subject every perfume lover has a “lost” perfume that he or she longs to experience again. I spent a couple of hours this week combing eBay for bottle of Nina Ricci’s original “Nina” and I, too mourn the loss of Velvet Gardenia and So Pretty most recently, and I wonder what became of Ungaro’s Diva and Senso, and a scent that I believe came from Fendi called Teatro alla Scala. I loved the original Kate Spade, but apparently nobody else did, and I came to love Gaultier’s Fragile, and really loved the snowglobe presentation. I am still searching for bottle of Kif by Lamborghini, and Givenchy’s Organza seems to be vanishing, too. For al of us who love perfumes that have faded from store shelves, there is a company called Vinci&Rakos that claims that they can replicate any perfume if you have saved a few drops. I have never tried it, but I have worn some of their house scents, and they are lovely, so perhaps there’s hope for all of us who love a lost scent.
I, too am mourning the passing of Oscar de la Renta, a genius of design, and the man behind the first perfume I ever fell madly in love with because it seemed like the perfect scented expression of being in love: lush, feminine,extravagant and gorgeous. That feeling crashed and burned into years of therapy (not Oscar’s fault; I just have better taste in perfume than I do in men) and I couldn’t bear the smell of Oscar de la Renta for years. I’ve started wearing it again and it just seems sadly sweet to me now. I was very fortunate to meet Oscar de la Renta when I was a magazine intern a long time ago. He was very gracious, very kind and devastatingly charming, and I will never forget that he complimented the funky vintage dress I was wearing…. I wore that dress until it disintegrated because it had been blessed from on high. Not only did he design Amal Clooney’s wedding dress, but also the dresses Taylor Swift and Sarah Jessica Parker wore to the Met Ball this year, and they were both visions. The world has lost much of is beauty and elegance with his passing: he was the true her apparent to Charles James and a truly princely man. Rest in Peace, Mr. de la Renta. October 27, 2014 at 9:57pm
Michaela: Touching post, Lynn Morgan. Thank you so much… October 28, 2014 at 7:17am
Elisa: Thank you for your lovely comment Lynn! By the way, Teatro alla Scala was by Krizia and you can still find bottles online for not too much! Maybe you can snag one up while they’re still available. October 28, 2014 at 9:18am
angeldiva: Hi Lynn!
Thank-you for your kind words about Oscar de La Renta! I LOOOOVED your story about meeting him. What a memory to treasure. As an Oscar lover- I can feel (in my heart) your story of being on the outs with the memory of this scent. Wasn’t it just an amazing time in the history of perfume when it came out in ’77?
I wish I was better at describing scents! I did receive my ESPIRIT D’OSCAR (EDP 1.6 oz from O.co)- that I purchased in memory of the great man. I think it smells absolutely wonderful! There is a strong resemblance to OSCAR. It smells….well…updated! I can smell something green and some spicy notes that weren’t there before. It’s so comforting, and feminine. Not entirely a trip down memory lane, but a new younger experience.
How I wish that all of Mr. Oscar de La Rentas’ genius scents were reviewed here. Then I could really get good at describing them!
Peace October 29, 2014 at 7:11pm
Tourmaline: Hi Lynn,
That’s a lovely story.
Let’s give a nod to Jean-Louis Sieuzac, who created Oscar. I, too, love the original fragrance. In 1985 I chose it as my “default” perfume, one to wear when I didn’t feel the need to wear another specific perfume with a particular outfit or colour. To my nose it was beautiful and elegant, and it seemed versatile enough to go with everything. It’s a shame that it has changed a little over the years, but then every perfume has. October 29, 2014 at 8:06pm