I don’t know what I’m looking for… but you might

[Lyric82]

I have a major fondness for fragrances that have a vintage or retro feel, but I do not desire to buy actual vintage fragrances until I fall in love with their modern versions. And it will be a case by case basis. Samsara, for example, is one that I love wholly and completely and I’m willing to seek out vintage bottles.

So, what I know about me, is that I do love all genres, and that certain something exists in each era. But I can’t put my finger on it. I have found the quality in most Chanels (probably the reason it’s my favorite house) and many Guerlains… Samsara, L’instant de Guerlain, L’instant magic, Shalimar….

I also love and adore Fracas, Magie Noire, Scherrer, and agent Provocateur, Cacharel Lou Lou, Maroussia, Dior Dune

But I find Mitsouko and L’Heure Bleu to be too challenging for me to enjoy wearing…

So I think what I’m asking is, can you think of any fragrances that are readily available today, that have that retro feel that I like so much?

 

[Pippin06]

I have a major fondness for fragrances that have a vintage or retro feel, but I do not desire to buy actual vintage fragrances until I fall in love with their modern versions. And it will be a case by case basis. Samsara, for example, is one that I love wholly and completely and I’m willing to seek out vintage bottles.

So, what I know about me, is that I do love all genres, and that certain something exists in each era. But I can’t put my finger on it. I have found the quality in most Chanels (probably the reason it’s my favorite house) and many Guerlains… Samsara, L’instant de Guerlain, L’instant magic, Shalimar….

I also love and adore Fracas, Magie Noire, Scherrer, and agent Provocateur, Cacharel Lou Lou, Maroussia, Dior Dune

But I find Mitsouko and L’Heure Bleu to be too challenging for me to enjoy wearing…

So I think what I’m asking is, can you think of any fragrances that are readily available today, that have that retro feel that I like so much? View attachment 326463

Suggesting Guerlain Heritage. I see this as very vintage in character though is was released in 1992. IMHO, it's unisex leaning masculine. One of my close female friends loves to wear it--as do I.

 

[cacio]

What's the status of Arpege? It used to be pretty easy to find and not expensive. Not sure it's still the case in the US (though it is available in Europe). And I would not discount that old staple, Youth Dew, also easy to find and inexpensive-and one can use the bath oil as well.

Not much else comes to mind in mainstream. There's more in niche, of course. You've certainly tried some of the Chanel exclusives. I think Cuir de Russie and Bois des Isles are the more "old style" so to speak, even in their current form. Amouage sometimes does the style, as do some other niche houses, like de Nicolai or Le Galion (Sortilege).

cacio

 

[Ken_Russell]

Thank you first and foremost for sharing the beautiful photo with us-to even better illustrate and visualize the main on topic theme and focus.

Having said this, recommending especially:

- Feminite du Bois in the both vintage Shiseido and the newer Serge Lutens version-including for an interesting side by side comparison of a classic,

- Cabotine de Gres EDP as a leathery floral that does not break the bank in spite of its quite stunning performance and complexity of its apparently quite simple combination between purple floral and some vanilla hints of a powdery, but also nearly resinous/balmy type

- Silences de Jacomo and No. 19 keep their vintage feel, especially regrading a traditional chypre/almost piney leathery style including in the current formulation

- Escale a Portofino and/or Escale a Pondichery by Dior- if looking for a modern take on rather quite retro style citrus in the case of the first, more exotic spiciness regarding the second one of these

- also seconding Lalique Arpege also stays quite close even in the current version to the nostalgia inspired outer design and the classic style that ensure this fragrance a well deserved acclaim and even a near cult following.

 

[hednic]

- Escale a Portofino and/or Escale a Pondichery by Dior

Another vote for these two.

 

[ineespenes]

I vote for Bois des iles and Cuir de Russie too. Also.... You might like Iris poudre by FM and Lipstick rose (also by Frédéric Malle) and Knowing comes to mind.

 

[saminlondon]

If you like the vintage feel, I'd strongly recommend that you look at the Le Galion line – 222, Whip, Sortilège etc - which seems to draw a lot of inspiration from mid-century classics. They're really well done and might be right up your street.

 

[Lyric82]

Suggesting Guerlain Heritage. I see this as very vintage in character though is was released in 1992. IMHO, it's unisex leaning masculine. One of my close female friends loves to wear it--as do I.

Thank you! I will check it out! My preference usually is for feminine fragrances, but I have made a couple exceptions so I’m happy to check out your suggestion!

 

[Lyric82]

What's the status of Arpege? It used to be pretty easy to find and not expensive. Not sure it's still the case in the US (though it is available in Europe). And I would not discount that old staple, Youth Dew, also easy to find and inexpensive-and one can use the bath oil as well.

Not much else comes to mind in mainstream. There's more in niche, of course. You've certainly tried some of the Chanel exclusives. I think Cuir de Russie and Bois des Isles are the more "old style" so to speak, even in their current form. Amouage sometimes does the style, as do some other niche houses, like de Nicolai or Le Galion (Sortilege).

cacio

Thank you very much! Yes, I’ve tried the majority of the chanel exclusives and unfortunately I love all of them so it’s going to take me a while to decide which ones I love the most. I’m not familiar with Arpege, I will look for that to try. And yes, I have a few from amouage that have won me over as well. Ian’s I have never tried Nicolai or LE Galion so I will add them to my list to try as well. Thank you! And strangely enough, though my list of likes would probably suggest otherwise, youth dew is one I find challenging much like Mitsouko. But I totally get why you recommend it, I probably would to someone else looking for retro vibes too. Thank you for all of your suggestions!

 

[Lyric82]

Thank you first and foremost for sharing the beautiful photo with us-to even better illustrate and visualize the main on topic theme and focus.

Having said this, recommending especially:

- Feminite du Bois in the both vintage Shiseido and the newer Serge Lutens version-including for an interesting side by side comparison of a classic,

- Cabotine de Gres EDP as a leathery floral that does not break the bank in spite of its quite stunning performance and complexity of its apparently quite simple combination between purple floral and some vanilla hints of a powdery, but also nearly resinous/balmy type

- Silences de Jacomo and No. 19 keep their vintage feel, especially regrading a traditional chypre/almost piney leathery style including in the current formulation

- Escale a Portofino and/or Escale a Pondichery by Dior- if looking for a modern take on rather quite retro style citrus in the case of the first, more exotic spiciness regarding the second one of these

- also seconding Lalique Arpege also stays quite close even in the current version to the nostalgia inspired outer design and the classic style that ensure this fragrance a well deserved acclaim and even a near cult following.

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! I probably should have just taken a picture of all my retro leaning scents, but it’s just a snap of my March fragrance rotation.

And I am writing down yours and everyone’s suggestions!

- Feminite Du Bois: this has been on my list to try for pretty eternity, but just because I’m interested based on the notes. I had no idea that it also had a retro fee, so now, it just moved WAY up on my priority list to test. Thank you!

- Cabotine: if that’s the one where the cap looks like broccoli, I have seen it, and I will for sure try it. If I recall, it’s quite inexpensive and well within my “blind buy price parameters”.

- Silences and No°19: I’m very familiar with 19, I love it! Is silences redundant?

- escale: they sound wonderful and I can’t wait to try them!

- Arpege: now that you said Lalique, I think I may have seen the bottle… I will definitely look for it to try!

 

[Lyric82]

I vote for Bois des iles and Cuir de Russie too. Also.... You might like Iris poudre by FM and Lipstick rose (also by Frédéric Malle) and Knowing comes to mind.

Awesome! Thank you! I have a few samples from FM, but not those so I will check them out. And is “Knowing” also FM?

 

[Lyric82]

If you like the vintage feel, I'd strongly recommend that you look at the Le Galion line – 222, Whip, Sortilège etc - which seems to draw a lot of inspiration from mid-century classics. They're really well done and might be right up your street.

Very nice! Thank you! Someone else here recommended the brand too!

 

[Ken_Russell]

From a personal viewpoint alone, even if No. 19 and Silences have quite a few in common-especially the austere but still highly elegant dry classic, no sweet chypre theme- still different enough among each other to simultaneously own both.
And/or at least to justify additionally (re) testing either.

 

[ineespenes]

Awesome! Thank you! I have a few samples from FM, but not those so I will check them out. And is “Knowing” also FM?

Let us know what you think Knowing is Estee Lauder

 

[Lyric82]

From a personal viewpoint alone, even if No. 19 and Silences have quite a few in common-especially the austere but still highly elegant dry classic, no sweet chypre theme- still different enough among each other to simultaneously own both.
And/or at least to justify additionally (re) testing either.

Duly noted! I will seek out silences! Thank you!

 

[Lyric82]

Let us know what you think Knowing is Estee Lauder

Excellent! Thank you very much! Can’t wait to look for all the suggestions… and can’t wait to try them even more!!

 

[scentsscentsscents]

Glad to see Youth Dew was already mentioned. Another Gres creation that feels vintage, dry and green is Cabochard. Madame Rochas also falls into that category. If you'd like something with a bit more fruit, I'd suggest Rochas Femme. Happy hunting!

 

[Tea_Lilly]

I recommend the Cabochard modern EDP if you like a bit of softened leather. The modern EDT is a bit sharper.

 

[mikeperez23]

Try Profumo by Acqua di Parma, it's 'old' smelling - so well done, but not easy to find.

Also try Numero Uno by Carthusia.

 

[mikeperez23]

...I would not discount that old staple, Youth Dew, also easy to find and inexpensive-and one can use the bath oil as well...

cacio

I wholeheartedly agree