Recently, it feels like there are a dozen new perfumes launched daily. While we’ve fallen in love with tons of new fragrances in the past few years, we have a soft spot for the classics. There is a group of scents that, no matter how much time passes, still excite our senses and garner compliments. These are the seven of our favorite timeless fragrances. If you haven’t tried them yet, it’s never too late.
Timeless fragrances we'll never quit
CHANEL N°5 ($172)
Is there a better definition of a timeless scent than one both myself and my grandmother have worn in our 20s? Gabrielle Channel requested “a woman’s perfume, with a woman’s scent,” and that’s exactly what she got. The floral fragrance is the essence of femininity and a symbol of class.
Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum ($235)
There was a time when most of Manhattan and Brooklyn smelled of Le Labo Santal 33, and no matter how many jokes people have made about its pervasiveness, the scent remains an undisputed classic. The smoky and spicy notes are perfectly balanced by light florals to create an immediately recognizable smell that conjures up the rugged, wild west.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette ($135)
I can still recall how badly I wanted to try this perfume when it was sitting on my mom's dresser, a beacon of womanhood to a little girl. When I was finally gifted my own, it was one of the first scents I fell in love with, and it continues to delight to this day. The notes capture the sun, sea and breeze that sweeps the Mediterranean with hints of fruit, florals and vegetation.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum ($335)
Baccarat Rouge 540 was launched in 2016, but it was still at the top of holiday wish lists this year. The luxe concoction with woody notes that meet jasmine, saffron and ambergris has captured hearts and noses around the world. The scent is available in a handful of mediums now, from hair perfume to cleansing gel, but the original perfume is still our favorite for a quick hit of dopamine.
Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum ($172)
Miss Dior was created in 1947, “to re-enchant women's lives with the sparkling colors of love. At the time, this scent was synonymous with renewed happiness, poetry, and harmony for Christian Dior,” and it endures. Centifolia rose, lily of the valley, peony and iris make up this bouquet of scents with a twist of musks, vanilla, tonka bean and sandalwood.
Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia Cologne ($165)
English Pear & Freesia is an autumnl classic, but you’ll find me wearing it any time of year because it’s timeless and seasonless. Notes of patchouli, amber, woods, pears and freesias bring an unbelievably fresh scent to life.
Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum Spray Fragrance ($165)
We predict this combination of lavender, orange blossom, musk accord and vanilla will remain a bestseller for years to come. When opting for a bold, floral, feminine fragrance, this one tops the list as an undisputed statement maker.
