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Really classy fragrance for a 40 something conservative woman?

post #1 of 43
1/18/09 at 4:06pm
Thread Starter 
My mom. She never buys anything for herself and I want to maybe buy her something.
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post #2 of 43
1/18/09 at 4:10pm
Wow, Every thread today I keep posting about the same frag. I'm a 40 something mom, I'm going with Chanel No.5! Hands down. And may I say, what a nice and thoughtful son you are!
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post #3 of 43
1/18/09 at 4:39pm
Very nice thought. I suggest the Hermes Jardin series, I particularly like Un Jardin sur le Nil. Great scent for men or women, very classy.
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post #4 of 43
1/18/09 at 4:49pm
Lancome's Poeme EDP
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post #5 of 43
1/18/09 at 4:50pm
You are SO precious! Please, talk to my son.

Do you have any idea what your mother likes with regard to notes in perfume? Not all classics are every woman's ideal fragrance.
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post #6 of 43
1/18/09 at 5:03pm
It's cold in Tennessee this time of year. How about Guerlain's Shalimar?
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post #7 of 43
1/18/09 at 5:13pm
Thread Starter 
She usually goes sans perfume. Like I said, she never buys stuff for herself. When she does use something, its usually the little cheap things she gets for Christmas.
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post #8 of 43
1/18/09 at 5:40pm
What kinds of flowers does she like? You said she's conservative - does she dress up a lot, with every hair in place, or is she the casual/natural type? Does she like the outdoors? Is she "into" food/cooking?

If she hasn't tried a lot of good fragrances, a very nice starter one might be Stella. It's a rose & amber combo that I think would appeal to almost anyone.
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post #9 of 43
1/18/09 at 6:03pm
My suggestions for classy frags that I think anyone can appreciate/find easy to wear (because I don't know your mum or which notes she likes) are:

Hermes: 24 Faubourg Eau Delicate
Dior: Diorissimo (but good luck trying to find it)
Chanel: Bois des Iles, No 5 Eau Fraiche
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post #10 of 43
1/18/09 at 6:19pm
You can't go wrong with a Chanel or a Guerlain ~ any of them!

And add this please, Notorious by Ralph Lauren. The bottle is classy, the scent is fabulous, and it's a 'new' fragrance - def. try this one!
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post #11 of 43
1/18/09 at 8:28pm
Chanel 19
Caleche
1000
Dioressence


Those are great, timeless, Conservative ones you almost couldn't miss with....

My son bought me L'air du Temps! It was the thought that counted, though.. Really.
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post #12 of 43
1/18/09 at 8:28pm
I second the "Notorious" suggestion. Very easy to wear.
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post #13 of 43
1/19/09 at 1:40am
We often advise against getting a single bottle of perfume, but rather suggest collecting a stack of thoughtfully-chosen samples so the recipient can choose the perfume they like. It's such a subjective thing.
I would suggest something with iris in it. Mainly because to me that's very ladylike and because it's often not mixed with 'controversial' notes like oakmoss. (I speak as a 43 year old Mum.) Or an even safer bet in terms of making the receiver happy is Amber.

Yves Rocher do a lovely Amber in their Secret Essences range. It has got a lot of love here on the boards and is both easy to wear and very ladylike but warm and modern. The bottle looks classy too.
For Iris, what about Prada Infusion d'Iris? Great brand, lovely bottle, perfume will not offend.

And I'll second Analavande in saying YOU are a star, iBarney

Oooh, ooh - I just remembered: recently there was something on a blog about this very subject:
http://perfumeposse.com/2009/01/11/a...ragrance-gift/
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post #14 of 43
1/19/09 at 3:08am
I second both Wordbird's suggestions of the Voile D'Ambre by Yves Rocher and the Prada Infusion d'Iris, also Notorious from higher up the thread.

The new Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere is classy to my nose, and DKNY Cashmere Mist would be another suggestion, also Jasper Conran Woman if she likes fresh, citrus scents.

It would be helpful to know a little more about your mother's tastes if possible - then I am sure we could come up with a lot more ideas!
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post #15 of 43
1/19/09 at 3:29am
Vol de Nuit (Guerlain)
Chanel N° 19
Calèche (Hermès)
1000 (Patou)
Dioressence (Dior)
Paloma Picasso
First (Van Cleef & Arpels)
Chanel N° 5
24 Faubourg, EDP (Hermès)
Shalimar (Guerlain)
Jicky (Guerlain)
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post #16 of 43
1/19/09 at 3:36am
I disagree with Paloma Picasso, it is a complicated scent that requires courage.
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post #17 of 43
1/19/09 at 6:57am
Hard to make recommendations without knowing what your mom likes to smell. Wordbird's suggestion of amassing an assortment of samples for her to sniff is a good one. But if you're planning a surprise, that would spoil it. I would check out the Hermes and Bulgari lines of fragrances. I agree with the Eau Premiere and Notorious suggestions. I fell in love with Dolce & Gabbana's The One last year. My little decant is almost empty, and I like it enough to go for a full bottle. It's sweet, yet refined, can go dressy or casual.
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post #18 of 43
1/19/09 at 8:26am
You know, I'm totally rediscovering the
beauty and pure joy that Samsara is for me.
Give it a sniff and see what you think
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post #19 of 43
1/19/09 at 10:07am
Dept store or Sephora or otherwise? Try to get some samples of these:

Bond's Chinatown, Prada Iris (not the original Prada), Angel, the NEW Chanel no. 5 eau premier (not the original), Hermes Caleche eau Delicate (not the original Caleche), L' Instant by Guerlain, Insolence by Guerlain, Caron's Parfum Sacre, Hana Mori Butterfly and Magical Moon, Kenzo Amour, Kenzo Flower. There are tons more, but maybe there is something in there that is her. If you're close to a Nordstrom or Saks or Neiman's, they may take pity on you and get you the samples you need for your mom. You sound like a really sweet son!

PS. The really classic stuff is probably what her mother wore, so I'd go for something newer. Have fun!
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post #20 of 43
1/19/09 at 10:50am
I think is it much too risky to buy a full bottle of perfume for someone else if you are not sure they will like it. I would go with the 'lots of samples' idea and let her choose one.
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post #21 of 43
1/19/09 at 10:56am
If she usually goes without, I'd go for something light. Maybe something from L'Artisan. I recently tried Perles de Lalique. That might work. Something by Kenzo might be a good choice.

But I agree that the sample idea from Sephora would be ideal. She could choose.
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post #22 of 43
1/19/09 at 11:15am
Perles de Lalique is great, a really snuggly white angora sweater scent! Very classy indeed and undemanding.

The mention of The One by D & G made me remember D & G L'Eau The One, which is a very pleasant day time scent that I doubt very much would offend. A colleague of mine got her husband to buy Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline for her for Xmas UNSNIFFED on my say so - a terrifying responsiblity in retrospect that I was unaware of - but luckily she liked that very much.

I am at the tail end of my 40's for what it is worth...

But of course, samples are best.
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post #23 of 43
1/19/09 at 11:42am
I agree that Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline and Prada Infusion d'Iris could be good choices. I DON'T agree with Chinatown - that one is trickier, IMO.

P.S. I've gotta try that Perles de Lalique!
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post #24 of 43
1/23/09 at 2:14pm
ibarney5, is your mama from the South, also? I think she'd enjoy Rose Essentielle by Bvlgari.....I find it wears well all the year 'round, and doesn't become opressive in the summer time. It's tinted pale pink, and the bottle will be lovely on her dressing table!
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post #25 of 43
1/24/09 at 5:51am
After trying EL PC Tuberose Gardenia - I can say this is a lovely classy elegant scent. I highly recommend it .
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post #26 of 43
1/24/09 at 6:54am
I agree with many that you're going for something light. Like O de Lancome, Bvlgari Pour Femme, Bvlgari Voile du Jasmin, etc.

I really think you should check out the Bvlgaris. Modern classics, I think. And if your mom likes to smell light and natural, maybe check out the White Tea (Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc). Very soft, alittle musky.
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post #27 of 43
1/24/09 at 7:05am
I think you should post what you decide on. And then the reaction that it gets
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post #28 of 43
1/24/09 at 7:20am
I can't believe I didn't second the recommendation for Chanel No. 19 yet. My bad. Women stop me in the grocery store to tell me I smell nice when I wear it.
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post #29 of 43
1/24/09 at 8:20am
Yes, Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere, it's perfect.
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post #30 of 43
1/24/09 at 8:50am
I agree with Debbborra. Pick a scent and get a reaction from Basenote people. If your Mom normally doesn't wear perfume, then maybe Sensi by Giorgio is a nice, safe fragrance. Please let us know what you choose. I am certain that your Mom will be pleased with ANY gift that you give her.
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post #31 of 43
1/24/09 at 3:31pm
New to fragrance, your mother may find some of the Guerlain heavy hitters a bit too much.
I would suggest Chanel No. 19 or Ivoire, Balmain. Both very pretty, very "ladylike."
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post #32 of 43
1/25/09 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Therese View Post

New to fragrance, your mother may find some of the Guerlain heavy hitters a bit too much.
I would suggest Chanel No. 19 or Ivoire, Balmain. Both very pretty, very "ladylike."

Interested in your comment on Ivoire - on me it is quite leathery and manly, and I wouldn't call it "pretty" as such, in the way Tuberose Gardenia mentioned above might be considered "pretty". But I am an odd one...
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post #33 of 43
1/26/09 at 3:06am
Oooh, ooh! No-one has mentioned the OTHER Estee Lauder Private Collection, Amber Ylang Ylang, and I think that's actually way easier to wear than Tuberose Gardenia. It's very luxe, very cashmere and the bottle is beautiful.
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post #34 of 43
1/26/09 at 3:24am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wordbird View Post

Oooh, ooh! No-one has mentioned the OTHER Estee Lauder Private Collection, Amber Ylang Ylang, and I think that's actually way easier to wear than Tuberose Gardenia. It's very luxe, very cashmere and the bottle is beautiful.

I agree. I purchased this back in early December and I get tons of compliments when I wear it. It's not quite as sophisticated as a Chanel or Guerlain but very easy to wear.
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post #35 of 43
1/26/09 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wordbird View Post

Oooh, ooh! No-one has mentioned the OTHER Estee Lauder Private Collection, Amber Ylang Ylang, and I think that's actually way easier to wear than Tuberose Gardenia. It's very luxe, very cashmere and the bottle is beautiful.

Despite Turin's slam, I have to agree the amber and ylang ylang combo is quite lovely and easy to wear.
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post #36 of 43
1/26/09 at 9:13am
Private Collection (the original)
Victorian Posy
Ysatis
Ivoire de Balmain
à de Lancôme (Crisp yet formal; casual yet professional.)
J'ai Osé
Sung pour Femme
Magie Noire (For those patchouli-laden, naughty seductress moments that even conservative types have from time to time.)
Métal
Azurée
Shalimar (Any form is good, but the edc lacks "punch" and longevity alike, IMHO, and may even be a tad too masculine.)
Bill Blass for Women
L'Instant
Bal Ã* Versailles
Cinnabar (Careful -- too much may come off as anything but "youthful.")
Spellbound
Paris
Je Reviens (In the edt form, anyway. The edp and perfume formulations can be a tad matronly if worn with a heavy hand.)
Aliage
Wing Song (Go ahead -- laugh all you want.)
Lauren
Fidgi (For evening outings, not daytime.)
Elisabethan Rose
Diva (Better for power meetings and evening events than casual lunches, granted.)
Fleurissimo
White Linen (Light and airy -- perfect for summertime.)
Arpège
Tuxedo (IF you can find it!)
Samsara (A personal favorite for this very "type" of gal.)
Chanel No. 5
Halston for Women (the original)
Chanel No. 19
Aromatics Elixir (Spritzed in moderation, of course.)
Cristalle
My Sin
à de Lancôme
Miss Dior
Metal
Tea Rose
Diamonds & Rubies (No, cheap does NOT have to equal vile.)
L'Air du Temps
Touch for Women by Fred Hayman (A very pretty, conservative cheapie.)
Organza
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post #37 of 43
1/26/09 at 10:49am
I do agree about (and own) Amber Ylang Ylang! It is an easy-to-love scent.
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post #38 of 43
1/26/09 at 11:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruggles View Post

Despite Turin's slam, I have to agree the amber and ylang ylang combo is quite lovely and easy to wear.

And me! Tuberose Gardenia is one that I find pretty but which divides the friends I have tried it on, depending on how the tuberose behaves. I mentioned it more to distinguish it from Ivoire.

Yes, Amber Ylang Ylang is a very good bet, I would have thought - I love it and find it most comforting.
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post #39 of 43
1/26/09 at 6:40pm
Aren't you a nice son. I agree with the Estee Lauder PC Amber YlangYlang, wearing it today and I adore it. Also Chanel Gardenia and the new David Yurman is amazing, one of the best fragrances ever. I also adore Hermes Ambre Narguile, If possible I would buy something that could be returned if possible, like Saks you can return things. Good luck there are so many great fragrances. The new Chanel 5 Eau Premier is wonderful and very easy to wear. And I must add the Black bottle of Narciso Rodruguez, WOnder what you will choose>>
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post #40 of 43
1/27/09 at 9:34am
I'm way over 40 and see a lot of recommendations for fragrances that I have and wear:

O de Lancome
Shalimar
Samsara
White Linen
L'Instant
Obsession (did not see this one recommended but I do love it)

Some that I don't currently own but love include:

Kenzo Flower
Paris
Paloma Picasso

just to name a few.
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post #41 of 43
1/27/09 at 10:07am
Another vote for Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere.
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post #42 of 43
1/27/09 at 10:22am
Listen to the ones who state the classics, widely popular, easily available, and instantly recongnizable-they just never go out of style. Many of the Chanels, a few of the estee lauders (inexpensive), Shalimar, Hermes, etc. And older more polished women tend to sport these fragrances. You can't go wrong. And I'd light rather than strong if she's not used to wearing perfumes so smell before you buy. This is the play-it-safe method for buying a mother perfume.
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post #43 of 43
1/27/09 at 11:52am
Oops -- I almost forgot one: Anaïs Anaïs.
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