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Classic Women's Perfumes Buying Guide
Looking for a perfume
The Early Years
These scents have been around almost a century and their famous presence is one you cannot argue.
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Launched in 1921, this timelessly classic fragrance has been called abstract, a masterpiece, and by some "dated". However, it has never failed to please the masses as it still sells extremely well. Perhaps it is because when Coco Chanel requested that a "woman's fragrance that smells like a woman" be created, it just struck the note perfectly on key. Top notes include ylang ylang, neroli, and aldehydes. Jasmine and mayrose are at the heart, and the dry down consists of vetiver and sandalwood. |
Created in 1925, this perfume has won people over since then with its simple, elegant, and subtle composition. Some have called it the oriental of orientals, clearly due to the patchouli, vanilla, bergamot, lemon, jasmine, incense, and rose notes. Not only is it classy and sophisticated, but it has a touch of romance to it that screams, "Love!" The name in Sanskrit means Temple of Love. |
This is a Nina Ricci creation from 1948. It is a somewhat heady floral comprised of jasmine, gardenia, iris, carnation, chrysanthemum, musk, and sandalwood. The dry down is soft and powdery but not overly sweet and there is just enough spice to mellow it out, and it is unmistakably fresh and feminine. Thought it is an older fragrance, it continues to be used by all generations. |
It was 1930 that this fragrance was born from the hands of Jean Patou. The main note that seems to either overwhelm or seduce, depending on your nose, is that of jasmine and rose. The base is dry and animalistic, with sandalwood and musk. Not loved by all, but there is no question that this scent is a genuine classic. |
Christian Dior created this scent in 1947 and it has recently been reinvented as Miss Dior Cherie |
Fifties and Sixties
These musky, floral scents were concocted in the mid to late 50's and early 60's.
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Youth Dew was first created in 1953 by Estée Lauder, but it has recently been updated by Tom Ford. The original was a blend of spicy, oriental top notes and a strong clove, ylang-ylang, cinnamon, rose, and orchid heart. The base notes consisted of amber, tolu, benzoin, vanilla, and patchouli. However, the updated version is softer and certainly more enjoyable by today's noses. The difference is the substitution of the spice for fruit and flowers, making it rich, but well-balanced, powdery, and very lady like and sexy. |
Launched in 1956, this floral is very feminine and luscious. Beware if intense florals tend to give you a headache since muguet, lily of the valley, and jasmine are ever present in this scent. The EDT is heavier on the greens, with some woody notes to it as well. All in all, it is classy and fresh, great for a young woman. The only downfall is that it doesn't last as long as many newer scents. |
Bal à Versailles by Jean Desprez A must-have classic produced in 1962, not to be confused with the second launch in 1989 (discontinued). This is a lush floral oriental with poignant notes of jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood, and musk. There is also a splash of rose thrown in amongst notes of nag champa, spice, and vanilla. Perfectly elegant, a true class act, with a lovely juxtaposition of light powder and dark exoticism. |
Seventies
These fresh scents came about in the late seventies and were designed for the working woman that could be strong and sexy at the same time.
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Exotic, spicy, and oriental, opium for women was created in 1977 and instantaneously became a classic hit. Something about the dark incense and sandalwood make this mysterious perfume beyond seductive. There is no question that it is one of the most womanly and sexy scents of its time. |
First produced in 1978, Cacharel's white floral quickly became popular amongst young women and has developed into a classic. It is composed of lily, hyacinth, and carnation, with top notes of orange blossom. The incense and spice are what give it a more "classic" feel despite it's lightness and airy floral heart. |
While it was introduced in 1978, this fresh scent, reminiscent of a summer morning, it clean and light but strong enough to wear all year round. It is more fruity and floral than it's little sister, Pure White Linen, just released in 2006. Notes include aldehydes, peach and citrus, rose jasmine, lilac, muguet, ylang-ylang, cedar, honey and amber. |
Eighties and Nineties
The eighties were a very developmental time for perfume, as this was when the famed fragrance wheel (classification system for scents) came about. It is an easier way to identify scents and show relationships between the fragrance families. It is still prevalent in the fragrance market today and was slightly remodeled in 2008 to include more subcategories within the four main scents.
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Soft, powdery, sweet, but not at all saccharine, a little of Coco goes a long way. This rich perfume released in 1984 and has luxury and elegance as part of its core. Wear it anytime, anywhere for a touch of class and demure sexiness. The top notes are fruity like a Sunday morning mimosa, but quickly fade into a warm floral heart of rose, jasmine, and orange flower. Bits of vanilla and amber linger long enough to make your mouth water. It's a sensuous treat good enough to eat. |
CK Obsession debuted in 1985 as one of the sexiest ambers on the market. This is a woman's fragrance for those with gusto, not at all for little girls. Notes that give this perfume its enchanting scent are bergamot, rose, mandarin, orange blossom, and jasmine. Woodsy notes include oakmoss and amber. |
This is a woody floral oriental that hit the shelves in 1989. Favorite notes, such as jasmine, warm sandalwood, soft rose, narcissus, tonka bean, and powdery vanilla make this an easy to like perfume. It's overall quite earthy, balanced, and perfect to wear as cooler weather starts to blow in. The spicy scent, reminiscent of incense, makes this a strong fragrance, so use sparingly to get the right effect. |
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Another popular fragrance under the CK name, this one was developed in 1994 and can be used by both men and women. It has a light, fruity scent that is best worn during the daytime. Popular notes include bergamot, fresh pineapple, violet, rose, nutmeg, jasmine and papaya. |
This was created in 1996 and is a sharp fragrance complemented by fruity notes like citrus, pineapple and other woody notes. It is typically used for the daytime and has a pure ocean air scent combined with other notes. |
White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor This famed fragrance originated in 1991 with the one and only Elizabeth Taylor and features lots of floral and woodsy notes, namely lily, tuberose, neroli, narcisse, amber, sandalwood, patchouli and oakmoss. It's pretty, seductive scent makes it best used at evening time. |
Related Guides
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External Links
- Boisdejamin.typepad.com: A blog on classic perfume fragrances.