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all purpose "anytime" fragrances - your top 2

post #1 of 61
11/14/07 at 9:37pm
Thread Starter 
You know the ones I'm talking about - weekend, work, out to dinner, home alone - the frags you wear when you don't have time to put a lot of thought into it - like the fragrance equivalent of a white shirt - goes with anything, anywhere, anytime.

My top 2: Caleche Eau Delicate and Aimez Moi

As I've posted previously, I am continuing to narrow down my scent collection and am currently at a grand total of 17 - this includes one Caron (Aimez moi) and one Guerlain (Philtre d' Amour) at the moment, but it has been an evolving process. After reviewing my collection, I wonder if I need to focus more on the adaptability of a scent, rather than on its distinct characteristics and how it evokes a certain mood.

My (former) out of control perfume collection kind of reminds me of having a clothes problem (the "tons of clothes, but nothing to wear" issue). So perhaps if I apply similar principles, I can fine tune my scent wardrobe the way someone would fine tune his or her closet contents. By having just a couple of playful, fun items, but invest in the basics that go with everything.

Given that idea, I'm interested in your experiences and opinions: which of your scents just seem to go with everything?
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post #2 of 61
11/14/07 at 11:30pm
Two that seem to work just about anywhere for me are Shaal Nur and Quelques Fleurs.
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post #3 of 61
11/14/07 at 11:36pm
Yohji and Dzing!
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post #4 of 61
11/15/07 at 6:06am
No.19 edt & Fidji
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post #5 of 61
11/15/07 at 6:20am
CDG Soda and CDG Play
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post #6 of 61
11/15/07 at 6:22am
Guy Larouche Fidji and TBS Japanese Musk (especially in vintage formulation)
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post #7 of 61
11/15/07 at 6:31am
Thread Starter 
Many mentioned here so far that I haven't sampled: Shaal Nur, Yohji, CDGs

Fidji mentioned twice - I have a mini EDT - need to bring that out and give it another test drive.
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post #8 of 61
11/15/07 at 6:43am
Nanadebary green--an herbal musk and ... I may now say the second is the fragrance I just got: Hové Rue Royale. It's like a chypre/oriental/musk (got that?). The best way to describe it is a tame half-way point between Boucheron Femme and Rochas Femme, two magnificent but slightly boisterous classics. I like tame.
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post #9 of 61
11/15/07 at 6:58am
From my current wardrobe I think it would be NR for her and Iris Poudre.
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post #10 of 61
11/15/07 at 7:01am
Sueded Musk
Voile D'Ambre
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post #11 of 61
11/15/07 at 8:21am
My grab it and spray scents are Schiaparelli's "Shocking", and a split between "Lady Caron" and Caron's "Montaigne". These are my go anywhere frags, and ones I wear most often in the evenings to go out, after my SOTD has worn off!
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post #12 of 61
11/15/07 at 9:01am
All-purpose ?
I'd have to go w/ Rykiel Woman, and Ava-Luxe Silk.
Only had compliments, even from the sc ent-phobic...
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post #13 of 61
11/15/07 at 9:11am
All-purpose...let's see...

Yardley's Narcissus and Givenchy's L'Interdit (the new formulation) come to mind.
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post #14 of 61
11/15/07 at 9:27am
seattlelight, This is a great idea for a thread.

I have blatantly stolen it for the Men's forum and gave all the credit to you!

Thanks
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post #15 of 61
11/15/07 at 9:37am
A year ago I would have said Jean Couturier Coriandre and Chanel #19.

Right now I am a bit smitten -- treason! betrayal! -- it is still #19 and Balmain de Balmain. I knew BdB from long ago and I liked it bunches, but only recently after the package from one of my favorite BN friends arrived, I really came to know and to fall in love all over again with this beauty: it is versatile, multi-faceted, easily available, cheap, sweet, long-lasting, breathtaking. I can't get enough of it and recommend everyone give it a try! It has all Balmain "signature" trails and more. :toppie:
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post #16 of 61
11/15/07 at 9:44am
All purpose scents top 3(sorry,couldn't make it only two) are Jicky edt,Narciso Rodriguez edt and Egoiste.
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post #17 of 61
11/15/07 at 10:03am
Balmain de Balmain is indeed perfect! And being a Balmain it is cheap as can be so there is no need to stint on application.

My second choice for anytime scent would have been Le de Givenchy, but my supply is dwindling, but I also like Geoffrey Beene, which is a woody floral and never too much (Green Note, Bergamot, Coriander, Tarragon, Rose, Jasmine, Violet, Geranium, Oakmoss, Sandal, Musk, Civet.) It's another heavily discounted scent that I can toss in a gym bag.
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post #18 of 61
11/15/07 at 10:04am
Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge and L'Artisan Mûre et Musc Extrême.
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post #19 of 61
11/15/07 at 10:10am
Off topic real quick, tang I love that kitty, is it yours?
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post #20 of 61
11/15/07 at 10:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinker424 View Post

Off topic real quick, tang I love that kitty, is it yours?

Yes! We named her Diablo because "he" was a wild devil cat, until one day he had kittens and turned into one of the most affectionate cats I've ever seen. Green eyes and glossy black fur... isn't she purrrty?
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post #21 of 61
11/15/07 at 10:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tang View Post

Green eyes and glossy black fur... isn't she purrrty?

She is GORGEOUS! Our kitten "was" a boy until he went to get neutered & ended up getting spayed Mr. Fox became Jasmine.
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post #22 of 61
11/15/07 at 11:20am
My stepdaughter once brought home a "neutered male" who also ended up being spayed.

Anyway. Fragrance. Right now my "go to" top two are Fracas EDT (I know, but my skin kills sillage, so it ends up being reasonable on me. I swear it.) and NR for Her.
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post #23 of 61
11/15/07 at 11:46am
Voile d' Ete is my "everyday works with everything", and Lancome Poeme also got heavy usage for the last 2 years - but now that I've discovered this addictive forum, I have tons of new scents to try, so they may not get worn anytime soon.
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post #24 of 61
11/15/07 at 11:58am
Hi, I'm fairly new, but I want to play too!

Patou Colony is my everyday scent, Tabac Blond for the nights I'm feeling frisky.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeOlive View Post

Voile d' Ete is my "everyday works with everything"...

The other day I ordered a bottle of Voile d'Ete blind, I hope I love it too.
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post #25 of 61
11/15/07 at 12:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dulci View Post

Hi, I'm fairly new, but I want to play too!

Yay! More kids on the playground makes for more fun! Welcome, Dulci!
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post #26 of 61
11/15/07 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 
Patou Colony - oh, wow, now I've really got to get into my samples.

Many scents mentioned here that I'm not familiar with - that's what I was hoping for!
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post #27 of 61
11/15/07 at 2:01pm
Aww, I love tuxedo cats.

My two scents...Musc Ravageur and Tabac Blond.
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post #28 of 61
11/15/07 at 3:06pm
At the moment - Bond 'West Side' and Caron 'Parfum Sacre'. Just keep coming back to these - whenever I feel like it!

Love the puss cat! We are getting two kittens at Christmas! Can't wait. We are a cat lovin' family! :bounce:
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post #29 of 61
11/15/07 at 3:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dulci View Post

Hi, I'm fairly new, but I want to play too!

Patou Colony is my everyday scent, Tabac Blond for the nights I'm feeling frisky.

The other day I ordered a bottle of Voile d'Ete blind, I hope I love it too.

Dulci - Let me know how you like it. If for some reason you don't I'll buy it from you :-)
(Just joking) But in all seriousness - I am stocking up since it has been discontinued - wonder how many bottles are still left out there in discount warehouses?
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post #30 of 61
11/15/07 at 3:19pm
I surprise myself by realizing my two most versatile scents are Chanel no 5 edt and Chanel no. 19 edt... just further evidence that I am a deep down Chanel slut...I can no longer deny it.
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post #31 of 61
11/15/07 at 3:37pm
Gads that is hard, Narciso Rodriguez edt, and Chanel Gardenia and Nuits de noho and loving BBW Moonlight Path
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post #32 of 61
11/15/07 at 6:04pm
The scents I love the best are often wildly unsuitable. (That may be why I love them so.)
Diorella and Cristobal are always well behaved and can go anywhere, and when I need an aura of polish 31 Rue Cambon does the trick.
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post #33 of 61
11/15/07 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 
Greens, musks, chypres...I expected aldehydes to be mentioned more frequently and I'm surprised they're so under-represented. Interesting.

Hi Kyra - I am trying to keep the wildly unsuitable, but exciting, scents to a minimum because I find that I just don't wear them very frequently because they are so ......well, unsuitable is a great description! I'm going to start another thread, as a spinoff -
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post #34 of 61
11/15/07 at 7:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyra View Post

The scents I love the best are often wildly unsuitable. (That may be why I love them so.)

Same here! I love sniffing Ava Luxe Madame X on my arm at the grocery store, lol.

My anytime frags: SJP Lovely, BBW Japanese Cherry Blossom, Ava Luxe Love's True Bluish Light, Philosophy Amazing Grace. All four are always well-received and not overwhelming.
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post #35 of 61
11/15/07 at 9:50pm
I'm rather new to the perfume addiction thing so I actually don't have a great number of full bottles/holy grails. I'm still testing. But I did find some loves this summer that turned into staples. Therefore, I'll have to give my spring/summer anytime 2:
L'Artisan Parfumeur - Premier Figuier. I just find it so classic. I've been complimented on it many times when I wore it to work, and even though it's an everyday staple I still get excited when I wear it.
IO by Carthusia - I was addicted to this almost upon first sniff. I recieved a sample from a fellow BNer, gave it a spritz, and said to myself "this is what summer calls for." It's the mint in it. I don't even know if it's an official note, but it's very present for me (though not overbearing.) I absolutely hate being hot and the refreshing mint and sheer florals are all that's refreshing about summer.
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post #36 of 61
11/15/07 at 10:01pm
Pleasures & Angel
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post #37 of 61
11/16/07 at 5:43am
No one is ever offended by No. 19. It works equally well in business meetings and grocery stores.
Ayala Moriel Palas Atena is an Oriental that blends well with the skin and manages to remain polite in public yet satisfy this perfume junkie.
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post #38 of 61
11/16/07 at 5:52am
I'm wearing SL's Fleur d'oranger a lot this days...and nights. Bought it a few months ago and I'm halfway through the bottle...Creed's FdTRB...get lots of compliments on that too! Evenings I wear Iris Poudre or my current sample of Narcisse Noir (craving a bottle of that)
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post #39 of 61
11/16/07 at 6:57am
Like Kyra I too turn to Cristobal for my stand-by, go anywhere fragrance.
AA Flora Nerolia is the other.
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post #40 of 61
11/16/07 at 10:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quarry View Post

Yay! More kids on the playground makes for more fun! Welcome, Dulci!

Thanks for the welcome, I just know I'll love it here.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeOlive View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dulci

Hi, I'm fairly new, but I want to play too!

Patou Colony is my everyday scent, Tabac Blond for the nights I'm feeling frisky.

The other day I ordered a bottle of Voile d'Ete blind, I hope I love it too.

Dulci - Let me know how you like it. If for some reason you don't I'll buy it from you :-)
(Just joking) But in all seriousness - I am stocking up since it has been discontinued - wonder how many bottles are still left out there in discount warehouses?

I know what you mean about stocking up, I panicked and bought another bottle of Colony recently when I noticed 1stperfume put it on clearance. I don't ever want to be without it!

Lots of good ideas in this thread, I'm taking notes...
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post #41 of 61
11/16/07 at 10:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pellen View Post

L'Artisan Parfumeur - Premier Figuier. I just find it so classic. I've been complimented on it many times when I wore it to work, and even though it's an everyday staple I still get excited when I wear it.....

....I'm right there right now too!!

The other current obsession is Ambre Russe...when it isn't 1000 or Geranium Bourbon or Pink Sugar...

...oh I give up!
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post #42 of 61
11/16/07 at 10:53am
For me, I go to Origins Ginger essence and Estee Lauder Aliage.
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post #43 of 61
11/16/07 at 11:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rtamara41 View Post

I surprise myself by realizing my two most versatile scents are Chanel no 5 edt and Chanel no. 19 edt... just further evidence that I am a deep down Chanel slut...I can no longer deny it.

LOL! Me, too. I would love to have the new Premiere version of No 5, but they pulled it off the shelves until next year and I can't find it online. I hope they don't stick in those awful chemical sunscreens they put in some of their newer scents, they make me sick.
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post #44 of 61
11/16/07 at 6:03pm
For me, Flowerbomb (so much so for the past 2-3 years that I think it's time for a serious break, to recapture the magic) and let's see, Jicky?
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post #45 of 61
11/16/07 at 6:34pm
In current use, I only have one go-to fragrance. L'Artisan Vanilia. So delicious, yet not really foody. I know when I spray this on, I will enjoy it, and not have to worry about what people around me think. It's very pleasing and comforting, too.
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post #46 of 61
11/17/07 at 12:09pm
  • tdi
  • offline
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Burberry B rit and Cristobol.
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post #47 of 61
11/18/07 at 4:01am
Hypnotic Poison is my "I don't know what to wear for x situation fragrance."
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post #48 of 61
11/18/07 at 5:47am
When I'm dithering and need to grab a safe frag that will do for anything, it is usually Fleurs d'Oranger by SL, but I get a bit bored with its safeness. Others that I rely on to see me through any situation:

Les Nuits d'Hadrien
Miss Dior
Perles de Lalique
La Perla
And last but by no means least, any of the Jo Malone colognes.

If in doubt, I tend to avoid using strong tuberose. It can be an aquired taste. I wear tuberose a lot at home, but not for 'out'.
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post #49 of 61
11/18/07 at 6:53am
Eau Parfumee au The Rouge and Premier Figuire Extreme. I've worn both to work (on a public library reference desk, where scent can be an issue) without problem, and also wear them on 'comfort' days.
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post #50 of 61
11/18/07 at 2:32pm
I cannot resist; I want to play. My anytime go-to fragrances, at least today, are Ambre Russe and Songes. I cannot, just cannot, live without them.
--------------------------------------
Yes, I want to play! My two loves, my go-to fragrances, at least today, are Ambre Russe and Songes.
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post #51 of 61
11/18/07 at 2:41pm
Hi Therese, and welcome to Basenotes!

Hope you will like it here, and post a lot!
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post #52 of 61
11/19/07 at 2:06am
  • F_A
  • offline
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Lolita Lempicka EDP for winter season and Paco Rabanne "Ultraviolet" for warmer seasons
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post #53 of 61
11/20/07 at 8:52am
These days: D&G Light Blue and DKNY Be Delicious...this will change soon, I'm sure.
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post #54 of 61
11/21/07 at 2:19am
Oh my goodness Tovah, what are those amazing flowers in your pic?

Note to self: stay on thread!
Lots of good ideas popping up on these posts - lots I'll have to sample.
Go-to frags at the moment are Gres Cabaret and Madame Rochas and I also love Vol De Nuit in the winter and Jicky and Un Jardin en Mediterranee in summer.

Until now, VdN has been the bottle I'd pick up on a chilly morning if I couldn't make my mind up, but lately I've been loving the salty Cabaret and soapy Madame. Oh and I'm liking Blue Grass too. I think the slightly herbal element is what makes them good. But the little bottle of Voile d'Ambre in my handbag has been getting a workout too...
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post #55 of 61
11/21/07 at 9:19am
-Aimez Moi
-Champs-Elysées

I have some more "anytime" fragrances to
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post #56 of 61
11/21/07 at 9:59am
Thread Starter 
Methinks I need to give Champ Elysees a try. It has come up on the "delicate, feminine scents" thread and also in this one. Also, I love the name Vocalise. There are so many great suggestions from everyone, I truly look forward to getting started with the exploration.
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post #57 of 61
11/21/07 at 10:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by seattlelight View Post

Methinks I need to give Champ Elysees a try. It has come up on the "delicate, feminine scents" thread and also in this one. Also, I love the name Vocalise. There are so many great suggestions from everyone, I truly look forward to getting started with the exploration.

You should try it! I's a gorgeous mimosa-scent, extremely feminine and delicate. You can wear it anytime - it's also one of the few scents I get comments on It fits any age to
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post #58 of 61
11/21/07 at 1:30pm
Lately it's vintage Mitsouko edt (so soft and autumnal, I love it) and Chergui.

In warmer weather, Caleche (there's some aldehydes for you!) and Balmain de Balmain.
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post #59 of 61
11/22/07 at 1:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rtamara41 View Post

I surprise myself by realizing my two most versatile scents are Chanel no 5 edt and Chanel no. 19 edt...

I have to agree, I'm finding no 5 edt very easy to wear and it works for most occasions. My second choice at the moment would be Bulgari The Rouge.
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post #60 of 61
11/22/07 at 2:07am
polo double black and vera wang for men
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