Has The Perfumed Dandy mentioned that since starting out on his amazing adventure in the Wicked Wild West that is the World of Women’s Perfume he has amassed from dear readers an astonishing array of almost 500 suggestions of once forbidden ‘female fragrances’ that you consider fit for a gentleman to wear?
Well, The Dandy has most certainly mentioned it now!
Being ever one to share both the love and the wisdom, I have taken it upon myself to spread cognisance of these suggested scents far and wide each Saturday.
Such is the premise of our weekly peek inside the The Perfume Dandy’s Library Catalogue.
What follows is the fifth installment of ’20 scents one never knew a man could wear’ that may tickle either your fancy or your funny bone…
If you would like to further the cause of one of the fragrances, getting it a step closer to the dizzying heights of The Perfumed Dandy’s Hit Parade kindly respondez-vous to this post.
Alternatively if you believe you have the perfect perfume for The Dandy but can’t see it listed below simply visit ‘Suggest a new scent or recommend an old one’ to put the name forward.
Allons-y!!
1. Norell Norell
I am perfectly amazed this one has never made The Hit Parade.
Surely this is one of the emerald green galbanum classics of all perfumery?
Or perhaps there is an unpleasant reason for its omission…
2. Givenchy Eau de Givenchy
A springtime scent with backbone if ever there was one… lily of the valley, honeysuckle, narcissus and oakmoss.
I all sounds terribly tempting. Should I give in to temptation?
3. Calvin Klein CK One Shock For Her
Oh. Oh dear.
Please tell me that there’s more to this than meets the eye.
Surely there couldn’t be less!
4. Givenchy Ysatis
Ylang ylang, aldhehydes and animals, bees and civets to be precise.
After my brush with the incredible Amarige this week, could this be another Givenchy powerhouse worthy of wearing?
5. Joop! Joop! Femme
This feminine Joop reads as a lot more butch than the ghastly pink stuff they pump for the gents.
Does it live up to the promise of yet more aldehydes, animals and this time…err… sandalwood?
6. Kenzo Kenzo Amour
Sweet vanilla rice with a touch of floral supplied by frangipani, some chai brewing in the background.
Sounds a little like a traditional Thai tea party… is it as pleasant?
7. Annick Goutal Vanille Exquise
Marzipan with a powdering of icing sugar?
Perhaps I’m being a little unfair, I’m sure you will advise if this is more interesting that it seems on first inspection.
As a matter of interest, I’ve yet to try a Goutal…
8. Caron Pour Une Femme
A rich smoky rose with a dash of orange.
This 1934 scent sounds like the Caron archetype.
Does it live up to the high standard of its venerable stable mates?
9. Salvatore Ferragamo Incanto Charms
Now, if there was ever a flacon to put a fellow off a perfume.
But, I know, I know never judge a perfume by its bottle… is there something fabulous inside?
10. Kate Walsh Boyfriend
Okay. But does The Dandy want to be its boyfriend?
Nice flacon though.. oh yes, I must take my own advice as per above!
Mustn’t I?
11. Lancome Magie (La Collection Fragrances)
The first of a pair of fragrances from the much missed now sadly discontinued “La Collection” – or has it all been discontinued?
This promises amber and musk with a touch of violet. Could it be a perfect scent for the late spring and early summer?
12. Lancome Cuir de Lancome (La Collection Fragrances)
Our second from the Lancome reserved (now very reserved) collection and a leather that wins almost universal acclaim.
A classic birch tar, this is often compared favourably with Chanel‘s hallowed Cuir de Russie.
Is this really a lost legend awaiting rediscovery?
13. Clean Clean Warm Cotton
Does a man (or woman for that matter) really want to smell like a fabric softener?
Another moderately diverting fact, this brand has never really made any impression in the UK, or indeed Europe… I wonder why?
14. Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb
Sister to the insanely successful (at least for a season or so) Spicebomb.
This concoction, credited to no less than four eminent parfumeurs, never reached the omnipresence of its sibling.
Is this the ugly sister?
15. Lolita Lempicka Lolita Lempicka
Licorice, anise, vanilla, praline. Now, this isn’t reading to well at the moment and then… violet.
Could this defy all expectations and not turn out to be a sickly, cloying mess?
There are a lot of Lolita’s coming up soon, yet I’ve not a jot of experience with the brand, so exciting times.
16. Lolita Lempicka Fleur Defendue
Violet blancmange with amaretti biscuits. Mmmh.
What could go wrong? Well it looks like there’s a whacking great note of cherries in there too.
Please tell me they’re sour, or at least a little tart!
17. Lolita Lempicka L de Lolita Lempicka
Though not listed amongst the notes, many admirers have said this is like the very best bitter orange incense.
If so, I’m sold.
Can this really be true?
18. Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy
Cherry, plum, vanilla and lots of sugar one suspects.
Ms Spears in the middle of the night (now that is a scary thought).
19. Britney Spears Circus Fantasy
Raspberry, apricots, vanilla and…. oh this actually lists both ‘sweet notes’ and ‘sugar’ amongst the notes.
The mind boggles.
Ms Spears does her own life.
20. Britney Spears Hidden Fantasy
Orange, tangerine, vanilla and… err… sugar!!
Sick bag please steward.
How I wish Ms Spears perfume collection would remain.
Sorry to end on such a low – or should that be sugar-high – note there dear friends, but onwards and upwards.
Now, I know I’m repeating myself but… If you would like to further the cause of one of the fragrances, getting it a step closer the dizzying heights of The Perfumed Dandy’s Hit Parade kindly respondez-vous to this post.
Alternatively if you believe you have the perfect perfume for The Dandy but can’t see it listed below simply visit ‘Suggest a new scent or recommend an old one’ to put the name forward.
The Perfumed Dandy. 
I’m laughing at the Britney Spears Collection. She could have just named them Hamburger, French fries, and Coke. The McDonalds fantasy would have been much more authentic. 😀
Oh dear Gripping
You have The Dandy in stitches, though I can”t help thinking that Britney might be more of a Dunkin’ Donuts sort of a gal…
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
KFC 🙂 The venerable Ms. Spears was recently photographed exiting a KFC with several buckets of chicken following a fitness photo shoot!
You just got to love her at a certain point for never ceasing to be herself.
What an eclectic mix you have in this bunch!!! Should be INTERESTING. Can’t help but chuckle at the thought of a fragrantly fruity Midnight Fantasy laced Dandy walking through Kensington Gardens on a brisk Spring morning. What a stir you shall make! I wish to suggest for future consideration a fragrance I think might be very appropriate on a man…Parfums Delrae Eau Illuminee
PS…As for Britney I am envisioning more of a State Fair type of girl with deep fried Snickers Bar on a stick..
Dearest Moonlight
What a naughty streak you have.
You know the Dandy is always game for a challenge, but which of Miss Spear’s “wonderful” selection to plump for, that is the question…?
Midnight Fantasy? Maybe it should be a walk by moonlight….
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
The Norell Norell sounds very lovely. My vote goes to Norell. Might I suggest some lovely niche scents or are you trying to stay more in the mainstream? I would recommend adding to your list Andy Tauer’s L’Air du Desert Morocain. I long to smell it, but as I am in the throes of a dreadful cold I literally cannot smell anything right now.
Dearest Ricky
The Dandy is more than happy to try both mainstream and niche, so long as it is available in Old London Town or on the splendid world wide web I, your ever faithful servant, will gladly try!
Your vote for Norell and the Andy Tauer suggestion are therefore both gratefully received.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Thumbs up for Norell, Eau de Givenchy, Caron pour une Femme and Cuir de Lancome. And I second the above suggestions Delrae Eau Illuminee and Andy Tauer’s desert wind, actually I recommend every Tauer 😀
Dearest Miss Misty
Thank you as always for your ever tasteful suggestions.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Oh you must do Joop! That was one of my favorite fragrances in the 90s and no one has ever reviewed it or heard of it!
Dearest Brie
Your recommendation alone has me all nose for this perfume.
I do hope it is still available, the gentleman’s version most certainly is – absolutely everywhere!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Actually I had the gentleman’s version as well (smelled much more fem to me). And did I read that correctly, you have never tried Annick Goutal? that was my segue into niche in the early 90s and one of the bottles I brought back during my first visit to Paris (Eau de Ciel). And there is someone who enjoys smelling like fabric softener…my perfume despising co-worker (that I often comment about). I was gifted a bottle of Warm Cotton and she loved it so much I gifted it to her hoping it would put an end to her berating me for my own perfume choices…no such luck!
That’s another interesting line up, Mr. Dandy. Been musing on all the above (and wondering whether I should confess that I own the purple Britney, there I just did). I vote: the Caron.