Rampaging floral perfumes and loud, honking, fruity scents are to be banned; traditional eau de colognes will rule: those barbershop constructs of bergamot, yuzu, lemon and orange, with neroli, pinches of vetiver and woodsy whiffs to trick the soaring Fahrenheit into shady glens and lazy breezes, then vanish into olfactory mirage.
— From Samurai Shopper | Summer’s Common Scents at The New York Times. Many thanks to Ruth for the link!
Music to my ears
I used to wear cologne and men’s scents sometimes — back then I thought all women’s fragrances smelled like flowers or soap, and I wasn’t about to find out otherwise because I hated shopping. That was so long ago 
There’s still something, though, about smelling like Churchill and getting away with it that really appeals to me.
Yep!
“My Mitsouko’s in mothballs until winter…”
Glad to hear she’s got some!
I’m a Pamplelune fan but still must quibble with the assertion that it is perfect for the dog days of summer! No thank you.
And a further quibble since they misspelled it (-lume for -lune). No big deal, but it’s the New York Times, they should proofread!
I think there is less proof-reading for the NYT blogs — where this was posted.
It cracks me up that — even tongue-in-cheek — they decree everyone should dress in Hermès beach towels. Those things cost $500. Unbelievable. I put it as a wishlist item as my Facebook status one day. My whole vacation costs $500 if I’m lucky.
Joe, those beach towels are the funniest things. One time when my SO and I were in Hermes, he was admiring one of the luxurious beach towels that had an image of a leopard or tiger (can’t remember which) on it (my SO loves BIG CATS), and he was really giving it a good look over, I could tell he was thinking he wanted it… and then I watched the blood drain out of his face when he realized it was $500. LOL!
One evening after Mr. Ab. Scent was particularly not understanding about a new perfume lust I’d discovered and my hunt on Evilbay to track it down and add it to the ever-expanding watch list, I thought I’d remind him that it could be worse and I could also be into handbags. Particularly since I’ve scaled back my shoe addiction. I sent him a link to a used Hermes Birkin bag going for about $10,000 give or take and was so pleased to hear his little gasp of horror when he followed the link. Then I reminded him that my want was about $35 with shipping. The victory was sweet and he had to agree it was wonderful that I don’t usually carry nor care for purses.
Coincidentally, it was for some Mitsouko.
Colognes that are especially heavy on the citrus have been really calling me. I so want to try Heeley’s Oranges and Lemons, and was frantically trying to find a mini of AG’s Eau de Sud, which also seemed to have a very cologne-ish feel about if memory serves. I haven’t been brave enough to rock Pamplelune on a hot and humid summer day yet since I actually like it right now and would hate for things to change due to the rather tenuous nature it seems to have.
MMM I love that Heeley! So fleeting and so expensive, but sometimes ya just gotta.
$10, 000?? You could buy a car for that.
I don’t have a SO but I do have a Conscience. Often I remind Ms Conscience how good it is that handbags are not my thing. Or digital gadgets. Or $500 jars of face cream. Ms C. just gives me a tight little smile.
I like your thinking. I like to remind myself (and others) that I don’t spend money on drink, smoking or going to restaurants or bars except for the movies, so my spending on perfume is justified!
I think I have a mini of Eau du Sud to send you if you like. I love it!
What a clever little piece.Thanks – so enjoyed it.
It is winter where I live but we in the danger zone when spring seems imminent and, foolishly, people are looking out their lighter clothes and planning their tomato beds. I am frowning with disfavour at my Mitsouko and my Coco and longing for the summer fragrances locked away in the drawer. I’m not going to fall though. A hopeful spritz of Bel Respiro would be a mistake. So I am enjoying some ‘uniseason’ fragrances. Ca Sent Beau today. SSS Femme Jolie yesterday. Maybe No 5 tomorrow, or Private Collection …
What a fun, witty article! Thanks for posting.
A great article. Now I am lemming Blenheim Bouquet and Geo. Trumpers Extract of Limes. Enjoy the season.