Reviews of White Linen (1978)
by Estée Lauder

Another classic that undoubtedly deserves the label. White Linen is a beautiful feminine fragrance that is remarkably fresh and modern considering its date of introduction, yet it still is classic enough that it’s dignity and position is unassailable. It’s labeled a aldehydic floral but I’m not sure that the name applies because it has floral notes but it doesn’t really smell flowery – I get a pleasant rose that is not at all obtrusive, although it does properly place the fragrance in the feminine ranks IMO. I don’t get the lilac that is often mentioned. Primarily what I get is the fresh, soapy “texture” that is the hallmark of the fragrance’s reputation. It’s a disguised white floral / amber / cedar texture that is wonderful in the sense that it’s hard to get tired of it. White Linen is one classic that hasn’t traveled the path to obsolescence… thumb’s up, for sure.

My nose was awakened several months ago, just out of the blue, and I went from being indifferent (if not actually hostile) to perfume to being an avid sniffer of every scent there is. Before, I disliked having anyone "impose" their choice of scent on me, and found all scents registered the same. But with my new awareness I am overly sensitive to many wonderful nuances and subtleties, and can't help wondering what will happen next? (It might disappear as suddenly as it appeared.) Anyway I love White Linen, even though I did not expect to from what I had read about it, and the image I had of EL perfumes. But it is gorgeous, especially after it settles for a few minutes. It makes me feel beautiful and joyous. That said, I do not, and would not, wear it everyday. Just on glorious and wonderful days where everything is going my way!

Way back in the 1970s my mother got free purse-spray bottles of Lauder fragrances when she purchased her Estée Lauder makeup. She'd give these bottles to me. As a child, I was already fragrance-crazed, so being gifted with a Real Woman's Perfume was thrilling. Over the years I'd been given cast-off EL minis of Youth Dew, Private Collection, Azurée, Estée Super Cologne, and Cinnabar,etc. I loved having the little bottles, but it never occurred to me to wear any of these fragrances. I believed they were obviously for Older Sophisticated Women. I was 12 when White Linen was launched. I remember watching my mother test it by spritzing the purse-spray she'd gotten with her makeup. She crinkled her nose, and claimed it would give her a headache. I remember when she smelled White Linen on me, she was astonished at how pretty it was. "You wear perfume well," she said. I agreed happily. I was thrilled with White Linen. I thought it smelled like lilac and crisp green leaves. None of the familiar woman's fragrances had smelled so natural, and summery. I treasured my White Linen because it made me feel vivacious, and quietly elegant. As a scent, it was like wearing a white eyelet blouse, and fresh flowers in my hair. I think White Linen was the groundbreaking forerunner of many popular clean-floral fragrances, but it doesn't smell outdated to me. The aldehydes in the top-notes give it a timeless refinement, and add sparkle to the unique blend of flowers, and the dewy-yet-airy feel that makes White Linen a classic. If you like YSL Paris, Calèche, Clinique Wrappings, Calandre, and/or Nocturnes de Caron, you should not miss giving White Linen a test run.

Clean, soapy, feminine white floral -- easily a Lauder classic. Probably a better choice for casual days -- very light, airy and soft.

Its a really nice classic. I agree with everyone else - fresh, clean, and easily wearable.

I remember for a long time, my mum just kept to her 9 precious perfumes, and never ventured away from any of them. They're all nice perfumes, but after 18 years, it got a bit much.

So for her birthday last year, my girlfriend and I went shopping to find three small to medium sized bottles of nice, classy, non-offensive, not overly sweet, and non-fruity perfumes, just to do something nice, give her a nice suprise and get her something different.

After 4 hours of shopping, we came up with three perfumes: Paris, Fragile and White Linen.

On her birthday, she, suprisingly, took immediately to White Linen, remarking how lovely and floral it was without being over-bearing and sweet, and how nice and clean it smelled.

Couldn't put it better myself.

(btw, her '9 precious perfumes' are Chanel No. 5, Joy, Je Riviens, Aromatics Elixir, Hypnotic Poison, Opium, Rive Gauche, Youth Dew and Shalimar - in addition, she now has, thanx to me, White Linen, Paris and Fragile, all of which she adores!)

I have worn this in the past and I do like it, though I preferred the parfum to the EDT or EDP. It definitely does its name proud and evokes freshness just about as well as anything could. I would give it a glorious thumbs up .... except there is a sharpness to it that becomes unsettling after it lingers for a while. And, as with all EL fragrances, it lingers strong for way too long a period of time. I do encourage you to try it, though. It may just be the reaction her perfumes have on my skin.

I have loved this fragrance since it launch which is a huge surprise to people who know about my passion for patchouli and dark fragrances. I feel this must be my alter ego making itself felt. This is so lovely and fresh and light that you could imagine yourself on a cool spring day, wearing blue gingham, a straw hat, sandals and sipping homemade lemonade on the banks of a river. Not an everyday fragrance for me by any means, but ideal when you want to occasionally act all girly and innocent(ish)!!. Surprisingly long lasting for such a subtle scent, and does have an amazingly calming affect on my mood.

ONE OF MY ALL TIME FRAGRANCES. IT SCREAMS "SPRING". A VERY CLEAN, FRESH AND LIGHT SCENT. LAYERS WELL. A MARCH TO MAY SCENT.

Sophia Grojsman's signature is all over this scent! Clean, crisp, fresh - NEVER CLOYING! She works magic with aldehydes. White Linen lives up to its' name. I also find the assorted bath and body products in this fragrance very nice as well. An Estee' Lauder classic that I will surely enjoy throughout my lifetime!

The only Estee Lauder frangrance in my collection. Classic, deep, bright, I can wear in all moods.

The aldehydes come out slightly soapy on me, and I adore the citrus-peach in the top - so bright and sunny. Overall a very clean, optimistic fragrance and I wore it faithfully through two consecutive whole bottles, an extraordinary level of devotion for me. :) I started smelling it on a lot of old women, though, and since I was so young I distanced myself from anything that appealed to the old. Maybe I should give it another shot.

Every time I wear this people notice. It has a crispness that is also a fascinating non-floral. My only problem is that it wears off quickly and I seem to have to reapply frequently. At one time they had a perfume which I loved but I can't find it now. I never get tired of it. Winter seems to be my favorite season for this one.

This was my signature fragrance for six years! Bottle after bottle and two bath powders also. A true classic. Clean fresh white linen - it certainly is. Now yearn for a more sophisticated fragrance. Ormonde Jayne maybe.....

My grandmothers favorite perfume. It doesn't work with my chemistry, but beautiful on her. I do love the bath powder too.

A lovely, girly, summery fragrance. Good for the office.