Miss Dior (1947)
by Christian Dior

This is the new EDP that I'm reviewing and I have never worn the older one BUT I think I might be one of the 2/1000000 people who are allergic to oak moss so I probably won't go out looking for that one...

The good news is this Miss can stand on her own merits...I feel like she is a less formal version of Chanel no.5, aldehydes and flowers and a bit of leather, it's true! The more I wear her, the more I like her...dated? Yes! Beautiful? Yes! And no relation to Miss Dior Cherie....

12nd June, 2011.

I tried this once before, but since being put off by the strong green and aldehydic opening I wasn't eager to try this scent again. However since delving into Dior fragrances recently, I decided upon giving Miss Dior another chance.

Once again I was turned off by this fragrance's opening which hadn't changed since I last tested it, however I waited it out because I wanted to see how this fragrance developed.

I must say that the way this fragrance settles on the skin is divine. When the sharp, almost bitter, grassy like note subsides, I'm left with a delicate, creamy and leathery scent which although slightly dated, has such a vintage charm.

Miss Dior is for the sophisticated lady. She's of the classic, conservative type and she's always emaculately dressed.

This fragrance is strong, but pleasantly so. The lasting strength is fantastic, but then again I wouldn't expect anything different from Dior.

I highly recommend.

5th June, 2011.

I know it’s the thing to poo-poo reformulations, and I understand the loss of so many great vintage fragrances. Reformulation truly has destroyed many perfumes---perfumes that would be better off simply discontinued rather than staying with us as the walking dead. But here’s my guilty pleasure. I like the Miss Dior edt that I bought new in about 2005. It’s mossy, parched dry in a way that only a floral chypre can be, and sharp as a tack. Galbanum and aldehydes for days, mossy-mossy-mossy, a gardenia that is the only overtly sweet tone in an otherwise desiccated blend, a sage note that seems to come from left field. What fun! I imagine that what I have is a version that has had many ‘touch-ups’ (to put it kindly.) But I think that mine is also one of the last iterations with a full dose of oakmoss, which makes it virtually on object of fetish among the chypre-conscious.

On the other hand, I also have an edt from probably the late 70s possibly early 80s that I bought still boxed and wrapped for unbelievably cheap on ebay (my only venture into vintage gathering---how did this one get by you all?) and I must say it is a markedly better-composed scent. Rounded, a dryness with such dimension, buttery florals, definitely more civet and leather from the start of the drydown through to the end. The 2005 version is like an x-ray of the older version. In fact, there’s virtually nothing in common between the two. I think that what appeals to me about the 2005 is that from the galbanum to the aldehydes, to the oakmoss, the components it does have just shout at you. Sheer volume is much of its appeal. The vintage has far more interesting things to tell you, but she has a conversational tone. There’s room in my life for both of these.

I try not to go too far into that “it ain’t like it used to be, kid” sentiment about reformulation. As a rule, I try not to nurture nostalgia. There's really only one that kills me. The change from the de Nicolai Odalisque that I bought in 2006-7 to the one I sniffed a few weeks ago breaks my heart. Fortunately I have these two Misses Dior to consider. I could tip either way on a given day. There’s hope!

19th December, 2010. (Last Edited: 21st February, 2011.)

I'm addicted to Miss Dior. This is so mysterious and beautifully complex that there really aren't words to describe it. Each time I wear this it seems that some different facet reveals itself, expecially as the seasons change. I have both the vintage parfum and vintage EDT. They wear a little differently, but each has its own unique qualities (the parfum is a little more rich, floral and refined, while the EDT is more "raw" and overtly animalic (read: skanky...in a good way). To my nose it goes through a million wild and wonderful stages before the leather note finally reaveals itself, so it's not like Lanvin Scandal, Chanel's Cuir de Russie or Diorling, but that's just fine with me as I thoroughly enjoy the ride each time. I keep a top 25 list, and Miss Dior is always in the top 5 of that list.

4th October, 2010.

It is fairly easy to see why Miss Dior gained its moniker, the pretty thing is still nubile, a touch naive, but cute as a button. The aldehydes are not overblown, the florals are slight and nuanced, and it is never overbearing. A delightful bonus is that just when I feel it has taken its final bow on my skin, it continues to return for subtle, powdery encores for several more hours. This modern EDT version does lack impetus, and as good as it is, it remains firmly in the shadow of vintage formulations

28th August, 2010.

(Vintage Parfum review)
Recently I asked my BF what his mother's signature scent was. He said 'miss dior'. Now that i'm trying it myself I suppose this isn't so much a review of the perfume as it is about my mother-in-common-law's taste.

I first met her four years ago when i went to Paris with my BF. This is when I discovered that Parisiennes like to wear scarves, which is a fashion that never took off in Denver. I asked if i could wear one of hers. Halfway down the street I told my BF "ooh, i like this, I want to buy one." He told me it was cashmere. I said, "Let's go see how much they cost." I returned to Denver with no Cashmere scarf.

Miss Dior is cashmere. I didn't care for the opening, which has that 'old lady bathroom' smell going on. The drydown, however, is absolutely gorgeous. I know this word isn't used much in desctibing Miss Dior, but this is just plain 'Pretty'.

The florals are refined, elegant and easily admired. This is THE scent to wear to a crowded party, it's very flattering. I don't get a heavy base here, just a seamless transition to a comforting, respectable conclusion.

Whenever i try a new scent I ask my BF, "What do you think?" He usually says, "You smell like my mother."

Now I can smile at that.

27th August, 2010.