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Must have classics: what's would you recommend?

post #1 of 27
8/6/10 at 7:02am
Thread Starter 
I was wondering: as a perfume lover what would you suggest a newbie when it comes to must have top 10 classics available at the regular perfume store?

Chanel no 5?
Mitsouko by Guerlain?
...?

Thank you
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post #2 of 27
8/6/10 at 7:07am
Guerlain Shalimar
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post #3 of 27
8/6/10 at 7:30am
I would say Jicky also.
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post #4 of 27
8/6/10 at 7:34am
As a guy, I am intrigued by all the talk about Bal a Versailles. (Although I am a big fan of almost anything Guerlain.)
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post #5 of 27
8/6/10 at 7:35am
I never was that impressed with No.5 until I bought the parfum. I think the testers are cooked from sitting on the glass counters under those hot lights. I love No.19 but I really prefer the parfum, if you can find it. Mitsouko is another favorite. Much of this is still personal choice. I have a bottle of Shalimar but I never use it.
Also, some people have access to Annick Goutal, or Creed in their Department stores, others don't. What about you?
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post #6 of 27
8/6/10 at 11:12am
I'll refrain from suggesting classics one "must" own in favor of classics one ought to try in order to gain a fuller understanding of the art of perfumery. Ten-plus-one of the easier-to-locate archetypal scents (regardless of gender labels) are:

Mitsouko (chypre)
Shalimar (oriental)
Chanel No. 5 (aldehydic floral)
Chanel No. 19 (green floral)
Jicky (understanding the role of civet and animalic notes in general)
Diorella (the genius of Roudnitska)
Bandit (leather chypre)
Joy ("white flowers")
Angel ("gourmand")
Cool Water (the modern fruity fougère, men's fragrances of the past two decades)
Acqua di Parma Colonia (eau de Cologne)
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post #7 of 27
8/6/10 at 11:51am
I don't think most people would enjoy all the classics. I would sample them (and have done) but I would not buy probably any of them without falling in love with it first. I feel the list Off-Scenter has posted reflects a great sample list for extending your nose!
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post #8 of 27
8/6/10 at 12:02pm
Top 10 avalible classic
'must haves' pour femme;

Poison
Miss Dior
N°5
N°19
Bal Ã* Versailles
Opium
Ysatis
Shalimar
Mitsouko
Obsession
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post #9 of 27
8/7/10 at 3:16pm
Great suggestions in here...i would like to add "l'Heure Bleue" by Guerlain. The opening can be a bit strong but the drydown is pure poetry
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post #10 of 27
8/8/10 at 5:30am
Where's Chanel Coco (EDP) ???
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post #11 of 27
8/8/10 at 7:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohhmygod View Post

Where's Chanel Coco (EDP) ???

I am wondering the same thing
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post #12 of 27
8/8/10 at 7:39am
I was thinking about Coco, too. It is a good one, but also a definite preferred taste. It is quite sweet and powerful, maybe too much for some.
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post #13 of 27
8/8/10 at 9:19am
For women?

I'd say the must-haves classics would be:

Shalimar - Guerlain
Samsara - Guerlain
No5 - Chanel
Cabochard - Grès
Poison - Dior
Black Orchid -Tom Ford
Bal Ã* Versailles - Desprez
Diorissimo - Dior
L'air du Temps - Ricci
Angel - Mugler

but why so short a list? the must haves can be plenty more!
there's also many to choose from for a man that many women enjoy and there's also the lighter eau de colognes which are pretty much unisex.
and then there's the niches...etc etc
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post #14 of 27
8/8/10 at 9:45am
So many good ones suggested - I heartily agree with all the suggestions.
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post #15 of 27
8/8/10 at 1:26pm
I am also thinking about Chanel Coco, but in its pure parfum version. I was surprised at how much, much better this is than what currently sells as the EDP.

I agree with most of the other suggestions above--great choices!
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post #16 of 27
8/8/10 at 3:33pm
let's not forget : Miss Dior ..
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post #17 of 27
8/10/10 at 7:54am
Thread Starter 
Thank you all I've been organizing my perfume library, see what I have tried and what I'd like to add. I'm planning a sample shopping spree soon so I thought I'd gather some thoughts. Off researching Bal Ã* Versailles - Desprez, never heard of it. I'm mostly into very obscure raw artisan stuff like the ones I make myself (see our blog), but lately I need more 'wearable' stuff for work and business.

So please keep the suggestions coming, thank you
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post #18 of 27
8/10/10 at 8:32am
#interesting suggestions.

Classics

Gucci Pour homme
givenchy Pour homme
Angel
gucci accenti
d&g l'amoureux

There are so many...
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post #19 of 27
8/18/10 at 4:29am
Don't forget Diorella!
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post #20 of 27
8/21/10 at 6:18am
Givenchy Ysatis
Estee Lauder Youth Dew
Guerlain Shalimar
Guerlain L'Heure Bleue
Guerlain Mitsouko
Guerlain Jicky
YSL Opium
Dior Poison
Dior Miss Dior
JPG Classique
Thierry Mugler Angel
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post #21 of 27
8/21/10 at 7:42am
I think Aromatics Elixir, Dune and Rive Gauche should be able to make a list of ten ....although twenty would be more well-rounded, not to mention easier!

I also think of Halston and Diva as classics. And perhaps Eau des Merveilles, Paris and Safari.

eta - although definite classics, I don't care for Shalimar or Jicky (and there's certainly no need for both of them) so I'd suggest Chamade in lieu of one or the other...maybe even L'Instant.
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post #22 of 27
8/23/10 at 7:24am
I agree with all the suggestion that have been made. There is one I didn't see that you should try and that's Apres L'Ondee by Guerlain. It's a very beautiful scent, make sure to try it.
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post #23 of 27
8/30/10 at 9:02pm
Miss Dior
N°5
N°19
Opium
Ysatis
Shalimar
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post #24 of 27
9/6/10 at 11:49am
Most things by Guerlain!
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post #25 of 27
9/6/10 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Off-Scenter View Post

I'll refrain from suggesting classics one "must" own in favor of classics one ought to try in order to gain a fuller understanding of the art of perfumery.

Great advice. I'm a newbie too and I've purchased many of these samples which I use for reference and my education. But, most are not right for me to wear...

Irina, thanks for starting this thread! Now I've a few more "classics" to try!
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post #26 of 27
9/6/10 at 10:16pm
Blow everybody away and start wearing Old Spice.
I bet people would wonder what it was and love it.

Seriously.
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post #27 of 27
9/6/10 at 10:33pm
These are 3 mid-'60's scents that would do me just fine on a deserted island...

Aramis (1965)

Habit Rouge (1965)

Eau Sauvage (1966)
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Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Just Starting Out › Must have classics: what's would you recommend?