Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Transition Into Fall Perfumes


The evenings are getting decidedly cooler, the days are shorter than one would prefer. I already saw the first signs of leaves changing (it was in August. How depressing!). I'm not necessarily a big advocate of perfume seasons: I wear whatever I feel like, be it Eau d'Hadrien in December or Mitsouko in July, but some perfumes can make the transition between seasons a bit easier and put me in a better mood. Here are my current choices:

1. Chanel No. 19 (the original, preferably in parfum, but other concentrations will also do. Clears the mind on chilly mornings and maintains its coolness as the day gets warmer. Crisp and well-dressed, even if you carry an unneeded cardigan that not necessarily goes with the last minute scarf you picked.

2. Aftelier Cepes et Tubreuse- A balmy tropical flower and the earthy mushroom in an unforgettable combination that smells like nothing else. As temperamental as the weather.

3. Cartier So Pretty- As elegant as the new shoes you picked, romantic and so very French.

4.  Frederic Malle Dans tes Bras- Wraps your skin in a soft and sensual shawl, a little salty, a little powdery. Dans tes Bras is quirky and sexy without being too obvious about it. Like a cashmere wrap dress.

5. Serge Lutens  Rousse- Uncle Serge goes with you apple-picking as the leaves and twigs rustle underneath your feet, and continues into the evening activities as you sip hot cider and stir it with a cinnamon stick.

6. Rien by Etat Libre d'Orange- Urban and black in a modern silhouette. It's smoky and not very perfumy, almost like an armor. Rien puts me in a New York state of mind and settles on the skin in a similar way to Bandit.

What are you wearing these days?

Photo of model Suzy Parker by Georges Dambier for Elle magazine, 1953, from myvintagevogue.com

17 comments:

  1. I am wearing Dans Tes Bras for the first time right this very moment, and I adore it. I was thinking how perfect it is for fall.

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  2. Lovely choices!! Cepes et Tubereuse and Rien are among my favorites too!. I am hoarding the last few drops of my Cepes sample (a mini is def. on my to-buy list)..Rien is gorgeous and so evocative.
    Where I live, it is getting strangely warmer not cooler, but I'm still in the mood for 'warm' scents like Prada Cuir d'Ambre, Pure Distance M, Aftelier Tango,Chanel Bois des Iles and Carnal Flower (which transcends seasons IMHO)

    I am going to have to scout for some vintage chanel no. 19. I've been in a Chanel mood lately.

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  3. This post makes me nostalgic for New England fall! I wore Rousse constantly a couple of falls ago (and 5 O'Clock au Gingembre). I'm currently adjusting to a place with no seasons and I really miss the seasonal transitions between perfumes. Eternal summer has its downsides!

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  4. These three are calling me for fall: Amouage Homage, Bruno Acampora Musc, and as well Rien.

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  5. It is perfectly reasonable to wear Mitsouko in July. I read once that it comes into its own truly in sultry tropical climates and I certainly find that true of the parfum.

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  6. Tom Ford Oud Wood and Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot, perfect for fall.

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  7. Lately my "when in doubt" is No. 5 Eau Premier because it's so easy, from start to finish. My bottle of Bois Blond works as well in the heat & humidity (Houston, TX) as in these first, early cool days of fall--they are just a tease, temps (unlike the south) will rise again! I keep testing Tonkamande (PG) because there is something there I love but I can't figure it out as a whole.

    The new Mona di Orio Vetyver is also working out nicely as a transition scent for me.

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  8. I find Guerlain's Jicky and beautifully austere Iris Pallida by L'Artisan Parfumeur are two great scents as the weather turns.

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  9. I've been on a L'Artisan Parfumeur kick lately: Nuit de Tubereuse, Fou D'Absinthe, L'Eau d'Ambre Extreme & Premier Figuier Extreme. As soon as the weather cools down I break out my Orientals in a BIG way.

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  10. The evenings get decidedly cooler?! Now I'm seriously jealous!!

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  11. Thank you Gaia, I’m honored to have Cepes & Tuberose in your Fall favorites! (Still waiting for summer here in Berkeley). Mandy Aftel.

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  12. It is rainy and cooler here in the Philly suburbs. I broke out the Bois des Iles today...LOVE it! It probably will heat up again, but I am looking forward to Coco and am still wanting Eau Premeir for Christmas.

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  13. Still summer in Barcelona, hot and humid. These days I'm wearing Ivoire de Balmain. Not a summer fragance, but I love it.

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  14. I have missed my heavier perfumes. It was cool yesterday and I wore Fille en Aiguilles. Tonight I am wearing Aroma Sanctum's Woodland Fey. Looking forward to wearing Coromandel and Tobacco Vanille.

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  15. I also love Chanel 19 and have a pretty good cache of the original. Recently I acquired some old Miss Dior, which was my favorite back in the day. I'm enjoying it again. It is so lovely. For me, it is also the season for Byredo Pulp, which I have yet to put on. Maybe tomorrow!

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  16. Mitsouko (especially the perfume) is PERFECT in July - it really blooms! We're in transitional weather now, with cooler nights and low 70s days...I'm wearing Liz Zorn's Centennial (aka Historical Chypre) and Amouage Ubar and Jubiliation 25...and vintage Femme and current Femme (only to bed - to 'bosomy' for daytime wear, imo)

    I've also broken out the vintage Parure. Oh, yum!

    xoxoox

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  17. Gaia,
    I love to wear all the scents you've mentioned in the Fall (we lucky SF/Bay folks get to wear these pretty much year round though!). Another one I adore in Fall weather is Halston Couture, a lovely, slightly dry green chypre. It has moderate sillage and great staying power.

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