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Am I ready to go into Niche?

post #1 of 22
3/20/13 at 4:16am
Thread Starter 
Hello to all fellow basenoters,

I was wondering the other day that although I enjoy my collection a lot I believe I am a bit stuck/dont know where to go-what to buy next with only the commercial options (I could get more, I know but I think I want something more artsy, more beautiful rather than wearable at the moment) and... I am interested in going into niche.

I started out building my collection trying to buy cheap and good fragrances from the past because, being 18 years old, I am in no position to spend tonnes of money on fragrance alone. So eBay has been my friend until now.

I am moving to London so I will be earning my own money and have access to different perfume boutiques... based on my small collection and current situation do you feel I will be able to appreciate niche perfumes?

1.\tEgoiste by Chanel
2.\tEncre Noire by Lalique
3.\tTrussardi Uomo by Trussardi
4.\tOpium pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent
5.\tInsensé by Givenchy
6.\tThe Dreamer by Versace
7.\tCrystal Noir by Versace
8.\tZ-14 by Halston
9.\tMusk for Him by Narciso Rodriguez
10.\tZino by Zino Davidoff
11.\tLou Lou by Cacharel
12.\tNo. 19 by Chanel
13.\tGrey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene
14.\tCabochard by Gres
15.\tIvoire by Balmain
16.\tLéonard pour Homme by Léonard

Thanks for your time!
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post #2 of 22
3/20/13 at 4:24am
IMO Yes.
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post #3 of 22
3/20/13 at 4:25am
Like what you enjoy, niche or otherwise...
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post #4 of 22
3/20/13 at 4:28am
Yeah you definitely have some not ordinary scents with unique themes so niche might do it for you since there's a lot of obscure stuff out there. Just don't get caught up in the hype that niche is better, cause in my experience most of the niche out there is garbage (to a larger extent than designer releases)
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post #5 of 22
3/20/13 at 4:31am
based on your tastes, definitely.
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post #6 of 22
3/20/13 at 4:52am
You already have a very fine collection. Sure, you are "ready" but you may very well find that many fragrances in your current collection smell better than 95% of what is out there, niche or otherwise...
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post #7 of 22
3/20/13 at 5:29am
Get whatever makes you happy bro.
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post #8 of 22
3/20/13 at 5:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drseid View Post

You already have a very fine collection. Sure, you are "ready" but you may very well find that many fragrances in your current collection smell better than 95% of what is out there, niche or otherwise...


Took the words right out of my mouth.
I wouldn't get too hung up on the idea of "niche" perfume.
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post #9 of 22
3/20/13 at 5:38am
You're ready whenever you feel like you are, there's no set limit of designers you must have before getting into niche.
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post #10 of 22
3/20/13 at 5:53am
well said !!

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mick_Trick View Post

Like what you enjoy, niche or otherwise...

Well said !
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post #11 of 22
3/20/13 at 6:24am
Go ahead bro.
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post #12 of 22
3/20/13 at 6:49am
Plus there is the fact that the term niche is almost meaningless when used for fragrances, as was confirmed in a recent thread when few could agree on a definition.
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post #13 of 22
3/20/13 at 7:01am
It's all based on your tastes. I've come to the conclusion that I like to smell and have decants of niche fragrances, but only buy full bottles of designer fragrances because I wear them much more. Either way I'd recommend you sample the crap out of niche before you buy anything.
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post #14 of 22
3/20/13 at 7:13am
No. We collectively think you should stick to mainstream scents forever. Permission into nichce fragrances is hereby denied.
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post #15 of 22
3/20/13 at 7:28am
Only one thing is required for entry into The Niche:

MONEY
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post #16 of 22
3/20/13 at 7:53am
Well, you've got an interesting collection now, and you're moving to one of the great perfume cities in the world, so you're definitely ready. (Who wouldn't be! It'd be a strange person who's both already interested in good smells and is moving to London who wouldn't be ready to try all the new stuff, right?)

I guess the only advice is that you have to wait to find out what's for you and what isn't until you start exploring. Off you go then!
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post #17 of 22
3/20/13 at 8:36am
Make sure you sample first though. Most of the BN recommendations might not make sense to your nose. Stick to what smells good to you.
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post #18 of 22
3/20/13 at 8:50am
You can only appreciate that which you like, doesn't matter if it is niche or designer.
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post #19 of 22
3/20/13 at 9:22am
Niche DOES NOT mean more artsy or more beautiful. Niche fragrances are allegedly aimed at the "connoisseur" customer, but this claim does not reflect quality. Sometimes, niche titles can be misleading, as with Creed. Creed sells millions of bottles each year, but uses the "we use more naturals than the next guy" card to affirm their superiority. Creed's fragrances, in my opinion, are nowhere near the quality of major non-niche brands, like Guerlain and Chanel. Other niche companies, however, like Tauer Perfumes, Heeley, and Parfums de Nicolai have no superiority complex, and rely instead on pure talent and excellent raw materials. In sum: be satisfied in things in themselves, not in their titles.
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post #20 of 22
3/20/13 at 9:33am
Niche is unavoidable. Looking at your collection I'd say the dark side of the force has already half opened your wallet and it's too late to save you.
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post #21 of 22
3/20/13 at 9:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by impdaddee View Post

Only one thing is required for entry into The Niche:

MONEY

This!

There're no other pre-requisites for 'niche readiness'. Just sample lots and buy the ones you love and can afford! You have some great scents as it is
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post #22 of 22
3/20/13 at 11:23am
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys for all your replies!! I had read on here that niche doesnt mean that they are "better" than what is available mainstream and you guys comfirmed it.

Of course there is the money issue... but I will for sure try to go in some perfume boutiques once in London and investigate!
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