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Style & beauty

Perfumes of yesteryear

(179 Posts)
rozzo55 Fri 22-Feb-13 14:56:15

Does anyone remember a Coty perfume named 'Chypre'? I remember loving it.It had what I think they call woody tones.
If you remember it, do you know of any current perfumes that are similar?

dottilind Mon 25-Feb-13 18:11:08

I remember my gran using this and I still have half used bottle locked away with some of her things, it must be 60 years old now and is still the same. The bottle has a goldy metal top. Every now and again I have a sniff and it still smells as it did. Uncanny really.flowers

numberplease Mon 25-Feb-13 16:09:47

It probably would be better POGS if you bought some rather than open the lovely historic bottle from your gran and risk it spoiling.

Did anyone on here ever use Flambeau, by Faberge? I was introduced to it around 1976 and loved it, but sadly it`s not been available for a long time now.

gracesmum Mon 25-Feb-13 14:36:29

I remember both my German Granny and my mother using 4711. It was the original Eau de Cologne or (in German ) Koelnisch Wasser = water from Cologne. It was considered "respectable" for ladies of a certain age who would not be so fast as to wear perfume (my German Oma) but was and is very fresh, great for travelling and for hot sunny days. Like Lavender it has suffered from being identified with "old ladies" but on the continent is also popular with older men (younger ones presumably preferring Hugo Boss or whatever) It is still sold by Boots and most chemists, or on Amazon and given its age, has to be one of the classics.
I googled it and came up with the following:
4711 takes its name from the street number of the building in Glockengasse, Cologne where this historic fragrance was created in 1792. The Original Eau de Cologne is formulated from the essential oils of citrus fruits blended with Rosemary, Lavender and Neroli. This unique scent is suited to both sexes and its ultra-fresh citrus notes instantly revive the wearer. 4711 is so light that it actually compliments other fragrances

Pip1953 Mon 25-Feb-13 14:22:29

Does anyone remember Ester Lauder Youth Dew. I used to bathe in it, god only
knows how I used to smell!!

harrigran Sun 24-Feb-13 23:50:35

I am a Miss Dior fan, DH has bought me this many times over the years. I have also worn Chanel no 5. Used to love White musk from Body shop.
Both Grans used to carry 4711, especially the solid stick for rubbing across the forehead in hot weather.

positivepam Sun 24-Feb-13 23:47:57

Oh gosh Yardleys Sea Jade, i had forgotten that, i used to love it and i remember my aunt used to wear a perfume by Avon called Wishing and I couldn't wait to be "grown up" and wear it. I love Chanel 5 as well. It is sad when they stop making a perfume that you love, but thinking here of so many i had forgotten about brings back happy memories. [smile[

POGS Sun 24-Feb-13 23:33:27

Stansgran and Anno

Brilliant, thank you very much. Off to Boots I go. I am amazed, the bottle I have says it was started in 1792. It's called 'Blue & Gold' 4711. flowers

annodomini Sun 24-Feb-13 23:25:21

4.7.11 was an Eau de Cologne which we often bought for our aunt for Christmas. I'd recognise it if I smelt it. It was also available as a solid stick which was reportedly good for soothing headaches. The story was that the man who created it had three children of four, seven and eleven, though that may not be true.

Stansgran Sun 24-Feb-13 23:24:40

I stock up on 4711wipes before every holiday I love the sharp fragrance and much better than the evil smelling things airlines give you as "towelettes" .
boots sell them as we'll as ice cologne and deodorant spray. Usually next to the yardley stuff POGS.

susieb755 Sun 24-Feb-13 22:51:03

My big sister always wore Havoc by Mary Quant, I thought she was so glamorous, with her long skirts and lurex.....

Forzanonna Sun 24-Feb-13 22:06:39

Remember buying "duty free" Channel No 5 when I was about 16 - many moons ago - thinking I was very sophisticated, but it smelt awful on me!! Love it now so obviously it's a grown up perfume, as gracesmum sayssmile

POGS Sun 24-Feb-13 21:41:29

Number

I am trying not to open the bottle that belonged to my grandmother. I prevously have spoken about it.

Did it smell sweet or like cats wee. smile

numberplease Sun 24-Feb-13 21:30:27

Yes POGS, I remember the smell very well, like Galen said, it was an early eau de cologne. It`s still available, I think.

whenim64 Sun 24-Feb-13 21:02:28

I used to wear Sortilege by Le Galion, then it disappeared about 20/25 years ago. Just found an unopened, boxed bottle of it on Ebay, so I've taken a gamble on it still having its lovely perfume. One or two friends have bought vintage perfumes and been pleased to find they are in good condition. smile

POGS Sun 24-Feb-13 21:01:51

Number

Can you remember the smell. ?? Please tell me if you can.

Deedaa Sun 24-Feb-13 20:54:35

Back in about 1966 when Mary Quant started selling cosmetics she had a perfume called AM that you wore during the day and a heavier version called PM that you used in the evening. I liked them both. In those days I used to buy Vent Vert for my mother, a lovely green smelling perfume.

pinkprincess Sat 23-Feb-13 22:54:57

I used Ma Griffe for the first time the day after I realised I was pregnant with my first child.That was 1969, and it still brings back those happy memories, even though you hardly ever see it now.Likewise Yardley's Sea Jade.I had that in my hospital bag when DC2 was born.

When I was a young student nurse my favourite perfume was La Aimunt(sp) by Coty.I thought it pure heaven and it brings back memories of those carefree days of my youth.

Another of my favourites was Geminesse by Max Factor.I thought I was the Queen when using that.

I loved Rive Gaugh until the formula changed.

I also loved Samsara, but unfortunatly it was also the favourite of my niece who died tragically at a young age, so I stopped using it as it made me cry.

numberplease Sat 23-Feb-13 22:14:23

Oooh POGS, I can remember my grandma buying me a bottle of 4711 when I was about 11 years old, the first perfume I ever owned, loved it, but my wicked step-sister nicked it and used it up.
Dottilind, I loved In Love when I was in my teens, wish it was still available. My favourite these days is Tocade, by Rochas.

janeainsworth Sat 23-Feb-13 18:33:52

Another Miss Dior fan, also given to me by 1st boyfriend!
The other one I like is Balmain Jolie Madame, I was using it at the time DS was born and it reminds me of those happy times.

Galen Sat 23-Feb-13 18:29:03

I typed eau

Galen Sat 23-Feb-13 18:10:05

I wouldn't bother, my mil used it. It's the original Esau de cologne

Movedalot Sat 23-Feb-13 17:36:41

soop that was very expensive for presumably a boy of about the same age! He must have been smitten. smile

POGS Sat 23-Feb-13 17:20:29

Thank you rozzo.

I now have an urge to open my nan's bottle of 4711 to see what it does smell like. I have had the thing for 45 years. grin

soop Sat 23-Feb-13 17:12:34

Miss Dior is a lovely fragrance. I believe that I have used Vent Vert [not sure of the correct spelling]...my first boyfriend [when I was fourteen] gave me Chanel No 5 for Christmas. Heavenly!

Movedalot Sat 23-Feb-13 17:07:50

soop I found Tweed had exactly the same smell on me, horrid.

I've tried many over the years but some years ago settled on Miss dior (the orignal) and Boucheron and now won't wear anything else.