old-fashioned: 1 post

The Beauty of The Old-Fashioned

Lately I’ve become fascinated by perfumes that I’d characterize as old-fashioned. Or if you don’t like the word, vintage or retro. Despite the cliches of timeless and unchangeable, many perfumery styles become associated with the time and place that gave rise to them. The aldehydic floral perfumery exemplified by Chanel No 5 echoes the early decades of the 20th century. Bold green chypres scream the 1970s, and I dare anyone to spritz on Dior Poison and not think of the glitz and glam of the 1980s. Decades later, these styles read as evocative of another time, and yet that’s part of their appeal. If I want some escapist fun, I reach for powdery carnations, shimmering aldehydes and creamy tea roses.

There are many reasons why calling some of my favorites old-fashioned doesn’t trouble me. For one thing, working in a perfume lab, I’m so used to hearing styles described as “old” or ”new” that I don’t ascribe value judgments to these terms. Perfumers don’t usually intend it. Some styles are older than others such as chypres, and they still retain their appeal. Some new styles lose their novelty after a few seasons like the savory gourmands.

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Latest Comments

  • Lizette in Recommend Me a Perfume : April 2025: I recommend these two: Bvlgari Au the Vert for a soft green, floral, creamy, elegant and understated scent. Hermes Eau des Merveilles Bleue for an aquatic, woodsy, yet soft fragrance. April 19, 2025 at 12:23pm

  • Alityke in Recommend Me a Perfume : April 2025: I’m delighted! The rumours about Jicky being retired are just that, a rumour. A perfume blogger I trust emailed Guerlain Head Office after an SA in the US said Jicky… April 19, 2025 at 2:20am

  • allo in Recommend Me a Perfume : April 2025: The LL Jicky is wonderful! It’s so well balanced and the funk is just right. Thank you again! April 18, 2025 at 9:05pm

  • Neva in Recommend Me a Perfume : April 2025: Hi Beth, I’m a chypre lover too and always on the lookout for new chypres. I can recommend Teo Cabanel’s Oha and Come la Luna by Bois 1920. Both are… April 18, 2025 at 5:59pm

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