In a way, Labor Day is like New Year's Eve. Both days straddle the old and the new, and both days offer the opportunity to start fresh. Even though many people use New Year's Day to get busy with a list of resolutions that are meant to change their lives (quit smoking, lose ten pounds) in reality the new year often means little more than vacuuming up dried fir needles and writing the wrong date on checks for a few weeks.
By contrast, Labor Day is when we really get to start over. Kids go back to school in carefully selected school clothes and spanking new notebooks. They see old friends and tackle new cliques, and their report cards are blank slates. Adults forgo sneaking out early on Friday afternoons and give up their shares in beach houses. Everyone is back from vacation, and that big project you shoved to the back of your desk can't wait any longer.
Labor Day also signals the transition from easy to more difficult. Summer is all about sundresses slipped over the head, dinners of sliced tomatoes and basil, and sunscreen and a swipe of lipstick. Life is simple. Perfume is likely to be something fresh and easy: an Eau de Cologne during the day and a narcotic floral at night.
As fall settles in, ten minutes to toss together a salad turns to a three-hour braise. Instead of slipping on sandals, you put on socks then lace up boots and wonder if you should have layered the whole thing over tights. Last minute barbecues become multi-course dinner parties. You find yourself reaching for more opaque, complex fragrances capturing spice, incense, and gourmand notes to match the color of the leaves and the hint of wood smoke in the air. This is when I want to wear sheer but grounded scents like Serge Lutens Chêne, L'Etat Libre d'Orange Like This, and, in the rain, L'Artisan Parfumeur Voleur des Roses. Or, it could be you'll sniff a fragrance you loved last fall and decide it doesn't suit you anymore. You're not the same person, and you want a new fall perfume.
Maybe where you live nights are still warm and you'll be wearing sandals and flouting the "no white after Labor Day" rule with a glass of rosé in your hand by the pool for weeks. I envy you. For the rest of us, remember that although it's sad to leave summer behind, in the effort required of autumn we can redefine ourselves. We've had a good, long rest and now we can move ahead with our goals, whether they're as simple as finding a cool-weather look that is more Ginger than Mary Ann or bigger, like finally writing that novel.
Lucky for us, Labor Day isn't over yet. While you're kicking back on your day of no labor, let me leave you with a holiday gift and a great way to spend an hour or two: the L'Officiel archives. L'Officiel is a French fashion magazine, and its complete archives, all the way back to 1921, are online. You can select on old magazine (I love the issues from the 1930s), click on it, and it opens up on your computer screen like a real magazine. Press an arrow, and the pages flip. Take in the Schiaparelli, Patou, and Louis XIV-themed society parties in chateaux, and don't miss the perfume ads!
Happy Labor Day.
Note: image is Fireworks and hurricanes by Minette Layne at flickr; some rights reserved.
Happy Labor Day to you, Angela… and to everyone at NST and those who do any work of any kind. Enjoy your day.
We haven’t had much of a “summer” down on my part of the coast, I’m afraid, so I’m hoping there will be some clear days of heat waves in the next month or so, which is often the case. I’ll admit, the transition to shorter days makes me a little sad and even more introspective than usual, and I had some major pangs of sympathy for those returning to school in recent weeks. To me, June represents the carefree joy of Friday night, and early fall evokes the resignation of a back-to-work Monday morning!
I do agree that cool-weather scents are so cozy, and I love the scents you listed though, and I wore Like This on a clear, cool, breezy day last week and enjoyed it so much. Thanks for this essay.
Thanks for the Labor Day wishes! (Sadly, I’m working right now on a ridiculously overcomplicated grant proposal. Sometimes we laborers don’t get a break.)
It’s been too cool here, too. By now I’m normally hauling baskets of heirloom tomatoes in from the garden, but this year only the early-ripening species originating in Siberia (!) is putting out ripe fruit. I doubt I’ll get any figs. I hope we’ll have a warm stretch, too, soon.
Happy Labor Day, Angela! A fabulously written piece, as always. The novel is going to be just amazing.
Considering that my collection consists of about 20 orientals and exactly 1 floral, I have been eagerly awaiting the summer-to-fall transition for a loooong time now.
Well, if you were here, you’d be trotting out those orientals for sure! It’s only midday, and sunny, but there’s a nip to the air.
Hi Angela, I hope the day finds you well.
You always write so beautifully and it never fails to move me.
I’m saddened because I love autumn and my fall fragrances but I mourn our summer here in Washington, it was practically non- existent! Yes I’m one of those that pine for the sun people where I live. Not warm enough, not long enough, it’s already cold today , I’m home wearing a my robe and socks and slippers! ha
I plan to go on my trail run after my coffee and have to wear my sweatshirt cause the wind has that old familiar bite of chill in the air..my windchimes are dancing.
It does smell wonderful outside though.
I’m wearing my vintage Miss Dior, it suits the weather and I suppose my mood as well.
Take care, here’s to another season upon us too soon.
~T
I sympathize! I have a sweater pulled over my shirt, and I have on my fluffy slippers. I’m still holding out hope the temperature will climb another 20 degrees–or at least 10–before dinner.
Miss Dior is a brilliant choice! I’m wearing it tomorrow–thanks for reminding me.
Loved your commentary, Angela. It’s made me ponder this WY fall-like day. I just saw a baby rattlesnake, and a week ago, a couple of young bears playing in the ditch, the red tail hawks calling above. I have a cold, though, but luckily my sense of smell isn’t totally gone–I wonder if our chemistry changes when we’re a little ill, like a cold. At any rate, I used the occasion to wear J. Malone’s Iris and Musk, with a little Eau de Reglisse on top. It seemed cozy and fall-like. I look forward to more of your insights. Good evening awaits you, I hope!
What a gorgeous sounding day! I think of baby rattlesnakes as spring creatures. (Good to know the snakes are keeping busy over the summer.) Lucky for me, the day warmed into something gorgeous. I took a break this afternoon to help the neighbor boy pick plums in my yard, then took the dog for a walk with a friend. A good day!
Yes, I’d rather the snakes are busy making whoopy than waiting to scare the daylights out of people like me.
I’m guessing seeing snakes having at it might be kind of scary, too. Maybe.
Saw snakes on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere all entwined and it was quite mesmerising; their movements have a grace and beauty…really quite hypnotic. Was very glad to have metal between me and them; they just got on with it and when they were finished swapped phone numbers, promised to call and slithered off.
They must have been listening to the White Album again (isn’t that the one with “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road”?).
Love this conversation! 🙂
I know right? It’s downright gloomy outside, overcast and grey.
I woke up and put on my robe sighing the whole time. ha.
I do hope we get some sort of Indian summer around here, and yes Miss Dior is my newest evilbay purchase, I have the parfum and decanted it, oh my goodness, I love chypres!
What are you wearing today?
Serge Lutens Chene! I’m living off a waning decant and must order a bottle very soon.
Hi Angela, really enjoyed reading your post today and coincidentally I’ve also been wearing Chene.
Thing is though, I just can’t get into it. All I’m getting is a cherry like, red cordial smell that persists for hours and hours and doesn’t much change on my skin. I’m curious to know what it’s like on you?
Red cordial? Lucky for me Chene wears more like hot, raw wood with a hint of cumin. I do get a little rum at the opening, though. I wonder if your skin is running with the rum smell?
Oh yeah. My skin must be taking the rum thing and not just running with it but perhaps even taking it out on a date, proposing marriage and having five babies with it!
Well, I’m exaggerating a little, maybe only four babies.
Four babies is plenty! Buy that Chene some protection!
Happy Labor Day, Angela and thanks for the article which I truly enjoyed as usual! I always look forward to fall — it’s all about new beginnings for me and I’ve never been a big fan of weather over 80 degrees. I get really excited about wearing my fall perfume — and clothing — wardrobe again!
Thanks for that L’Officiel link, I am going to enjoy that! I’m particularly interested in the issues from the ’70s!
You have a great attitude! I’d rather be too hot than too cold anyday.
Isn’t that L’Officiel link great? I could spend hours there, especially if I had a faster internet connection.
I have to agree with Jill–I love autumn (and spring) and cannot wait for summer to end. Unfortunately, our forecast is for highs around 90 for at least the next 10 days. I would love a cold front to come through here and cool things off, but some years it doesn’t happen until November. I really prefer long sleeves, but I do not wear them unless it is below 80. I love the cooler weather because I can work outside in my garden, which gets almost totally neglected in the summer. Even if I can stand working in the sweltering heat, the hordes of mosquitoes (which were horrendous this year!) drive me inside again. I just simply feel better when it is not roasting hot.
BTW, I should say that it was a beautifully written article–I just which I could relate to it better!
Thank you!
Where are you? You must be somewhere terrifically warm! I do relate about working in the garden, though. When it’s hot I really can only stand to weed in the shade.
I am on the Texas Gulf Coast, south of Houston. Today was relatively cool, *only* in the low to mid 80’s. I tried to catch up on my weeding about a week ago, but the fire ants ended that. Time to put out some more fire ant killer. It usually buys a few good weeks before they come back… As soon as it gets cool enough (below 85 or so) I need to assess how much damage this VERY hot dry summer has done, and try to plant some replacements for whatever did not make it through. Fortunately, roses are much tougher than their reputation (at least the types I have are tough, anyway), so they seem to be mostly OK. Today I was wearing Avignon, from my set of Incense series samples. I am thinking it is FBW. The dryness of incense seems to make it work even in hot weather, much the same as dry heat is so much more bearable than humid heat.
Your flavor of summer is a lot hotter than mine! And fire ants–scary!
Avignon is definitely FBW, I think. Plus, it’s pretty reasonably priced as I remember.
The Incense series scents are about $80 for 50 ml from Lucky Scent or Barneys, which definitely qualifies as “reasonable” for a niche scent. I already have about 40 or 50 FBs, so now I am telling myself that if I do buy a FB, it needs to be something different from everything else I already own, and I do not have an incense frag of my own (my husband does have a bottle of Timbuktu, but that is “his”, so it doesn’t count).
Avignon is great for layering, and everyone needs an incense scent (if you need any enabling, here I am!).
Happy Labor Day to all! Labor Day is something of the New year for those of us in education, and it healds the advent of my favorite season, Fall. It’s still pretty hot here in Dallas, so I’m seeking transitional scents – like transitional clothes, something not quite summer and not quite boots/socks/sweater either. ( Wearing Jo Malone White Pear and Freesia today which I love and more or less works for a transitional scent)
I can’t wait to try that one! I’ll have to head down to Nordstrom this week and spray some on.
Good luck with the students this year!
We actually have had a bit of a cool front the last few days – but for us, that means highs in the low 80s or upper 70s (if we’re lucky). I think that it’s supposed to be cool(er) all week because of the tropical storm in the Gulf (or maybe it’s something else, I’m not much of a meteorologist), but then it will probably be back in the 90s until November.
I don’t miss winters and months of snow, but I really do miss the cool autumn weather of Ohio. We so rarely get a “crisp” cold here – it’s more likely to be damp and cold when it finally does get cold.
Holy smokes! You definitely still have a full menu of summer coming.
I know just what you mean about crisp cold. That’s a wonderful kind of cold.
Another wonderful piece, I enjoyed that so much. From easy to difficult — yes. I know I must order a couple of cords of wood without further delay. Preview of coming difficulties 🙂 .
I agree, this is when the new year seems to begin — I wonder if it’s that the childhood memories are so profoundly imprinted, the new clothes, the fresh notebooks (the kind that had lined sheets of paper in them), sizing up one’s new teacher on that first day of school.
I’ll have to try Miss Dior, I never have, but I love chypres and rue the fact that a good chypre has gotten so hard to find. I want my oakmoss!
I think it must be the school year that has made Labor Day such a beginning! Back when I was in grade school, summers seemed so long. Now they pass in a flash. I used to study the Montgomery Ward catalog deciding what I’d choose for my back to school wardrobe, modest as it was. Still, in looking at the catalog I could imagine the school days to come and build a whole fantasy life.
Your mention of the Montgomery Ward catalog brought back some great memories, and gave me a flash of insight as to why I’m so fashion-challenged now. Every few years, Mom used to let me pick out a new bedspread and curtains from the catalogs; I loved it and still love buying furniture and home furnishings. Did they have a clothes section?!? 😉
They sure did! For rural girls like me it was the ne plus ultra of fashion. My uncle called it “Monkey Wards”.
Hi Angela – great essay! You are right – end of summer means back to work again. My office is not airconditioned so I don’t work much in the summer with a hot brain. Fall means crisp clear thoughts!
We had such horrible heat this summer that I am dying to get into my fall fragrances – early fall is tough though with crisp mornings and hot afternoons. My fav fall fragrances for this year are Rose Barbare, Fifi Chachnil, Alahine and Amouage Gold for Men… amoung others – orientals are my fav group of all.
Oops – forgot to mention MItsouko and SSS Tabac Aurea & Rose Musc, and FM Noir Epices …. argh!
I’m sure you’ll remember a few more, too….
I have a sample of Alahine that I mean to give more attention–you’ve inspired me!
Then I’m hopeful you’ll “gift” us with a writeup on Alahine soon!
I wouldn’t be surprised!
Most of my favorite perfumes seem to be on the “heavy” side, so I really look forward to cooler weather. I bought a FB of Attrape-Coeur in late May, and only wore it once or twice so far, as it seems wrong for summer. Ditto the vintage Revlon Intimate from eBay. I have worn my vintage Arpege and Chanel no. 5 and my Bois de Violette–they seem to work OK in summer as long as I am going to be indoors.
Right now, I would just like some electricity in my house. The power has been off and on–mostly off–all day since noon. This is the third outage so far today, and they are only predicting to have it “fixed” by 10:30 tonight. It is getting a little hot and sticky in here with no A/C. (I have a laptop, so I am working off of the battery and a wireless network right now. )
Oh no–no power! I hope it feels more romantic than troublesome.
I envy you your bottle of Attrape Coeur. Enjoy it!
I had wandered into the NM in the Houston Galleria, and lo and behold, there was a tester of Attrape-Couer on the counter. It was love at first sniff, and I bought what may well have been the last new bottle. The SA had to dig a bit through the other bottles to find it. A was afraid it might be actually sold out and was contemplating making an offer for the tester, if they would agree to sell it. I don’t usually buy a FB so impulsively (especially one for $200+), but I knew that if I didn’t buy it right then and there, I could probably write it off forever. I seem to have a distressing talent for discoveringmy greatest perfume loves either after they have been discontinued (Attrape-Coeur), or shortly before (Feminite du Bois).
You’re lucky to have found the bottle at all! And at least Feminite des Bois is still around, even if the bottle is different and the scent, perhaps, slightly different (I haven’t smelled the new).
Please review her if you ever get the chance Angela, she is beloved by quite a few of us here, wait for a cooler day and smell the gorgeous ambery layday , her name is Alahine. 😀
Mmmmm a favorite of mine as well Ann!
I’ll get it out and wear it for a few days. Reviewing Alahine sounds like a good idea!
You know I love my Alahine too…
Fall is my favorite time of year with its crisp cool air and the smells of apples, fallen leaves, and wood smoke. I have been meaning to try Sonoma Scent Studio, so I am celebrating the end of summer by finally ordering some samples from them.
I need to get to know SSS better, too, and I’ve been meaning to order some samples. I’ve heard so many raves about the fragrances. I hope you love your samples!
Hi Angela – great essay as always.
I haven’t had much summer yet, although I have bolstered my summer scents in hopes of being able to wear them. We tend to have our summer in September and October, and actually had a 100-degree day recently.
I do tend toward darker, warmer scents, though, so I have plenty to wear in the cooler months. TFPB Oud Wood, Black Cashmere, the Tauers, and my myriad samples like Black Afgano and Chene, all get a workout. I have noticed that I have a large middle-weather wardrobe of perfumes, though, which is perfect for our weather. Farmacia Annunziata Aurora is a favorite, as well as Covet, Rose Muskissime, and Balkis. Honestly, I wear whatever I feel like, but sometimes the weather does play a part.
With mild, middling weather, you get a lot of flexibility! I’m a fan of TF Oud Wood, too.
Lovely writing as always, Angela! I like having two “fresh starts” to the year, although I look forward more to the autumn one. (Having the Jewish High Holy Days in September also adds to that feeling of self-assessment and fresh starts.)
While cold weather is more complicated in some days, I can’t wait to spend more time with my old friend Fendi. It’s pretty chilly here today, so I just remade the acquaintance of my dear old birchtar buddy SMN Nostalgia. It’s like seeing the old school friends I missed over the summer.
Oh, Nostalgia is a good one. And yes, having the high holy days would be–literally–a New year!
What a lovely piece! I love the transition to fall – the smokey nip in the morning air, wearing my jeans again (I LOVE JEANS!!!) and enjoying fragrances that I couldn’t wear in the humid dog days.
I am looking forward to trying drier, darker fragrances this year and would love a few suggestions. I usually wear gourmands and orientals, but thought it would be fun to explore.
Do you wear vetivers very often? Lalique Encre Noir is a terrific dry scent for fall, I think. Chanel Sycomore, too, but the Encre Noir is a lot cheaper at discounters.
The only vetiver fragrance I have worn is Habanita, but I will try the Encre Noir – thanks for the suggestion!
Encre Noir is a world away from Habanita and may not be your thing at all, but it’s a great reference smell if nothing else.
This weekend was our first three days all summer below 90 degrees! So even though it was mid-80’s today, I rushed the season and wore Iris Ganache. I’m amazed that it’s not too sweet for me, but for some reason, I love it. But I do want to lick my wrists!
Loved the poignancy today, Angela, mixed with the anticipation of the coming season. I always feel the same way about the end of Summer and the coming of Fall, although the older I get, the less I like hot weather and the more I like the cold. Ah… we’ll blink and it will be the holidays!
You’ve had a much warmer summer than I have! Lucky you. As you say, the holidays will be here pronto. I shudder.
Angela, thank you for this beautiful post and the great link – now bookmarked for hours of browsing pleasure!
I’m glad you’re enjoying it! I love to look at old fashion magazines. My dream is to have a stack of old Vogues and Harpers Bazaars to browse whenever I want.
This made me so nostalgic, Angela. September was my favorite month all the years I lived in the Pacific NW. It always had the bittersweet feel of Kurt Weill’s September Song.
Here in Florida, Labor Day means the height of hurricane season; not the same feeling at all! I so miss the change of seasons – the local joke is that we have two seasons: Northern summer and Southern summer. Once we finally reach Northern summer, I can break out the ambers, the smokier incences, the orientals.
Hurricane season! Yikes!
I bet you have some perfumes for rainy days, though.
Here on the Texas coast, I’ve always felt we had two seasons–Summer and Not Summer, with Summer being the longer of the two. Some of our Not Summer days are probably warmer than summer days in some northern climates. I’ve seen it be 80 degrees on New Year’s Day, which just seems wrong.
I agree. 80 degrees does seem crazy for New Year’s Eve, but I guess a person could get used to it.
lol – that part is the easy part to get used to. It’s the days on end of 100+ temps with 90% humidity that’s tough to get used to – and you never really do, you just scurry from air conditioned car to air conditioned building and back.
That sounds miserable!
I kind of can’t believe it’s already Labor Day! And to think it’s the second week of the fall semester already. I spent my summer taking 13 hours of summer school, so it felt weirdly unlike summer — just swollen hot days stuffed with homework and late nights.
So happy Labor Day everybody! I hope you all enjoyed your nearest and dearest, and maybe some good food too. And Angela, you’re always welcome to come to San Antonio (where I am) which has about 3 weeks of winter a year and they may not occur all at once.
I’m excited fall is coming. I love pumpkin pie. Last year I got tired of the fall seasonal produce, all of the squashes (and nothing but), but it’s been a year so I think I’m ready — I kinda miss ’em. And on cold winter days, my kitchen just begs to be baked in.
And I’m ready to wear the fall & winter orientals. Chanel Allure Senuelle is a favourite of mine, and my sweetie is a bit partial to it as well. It wears very cashmere-y on me and make me feel warm like full body contact cuddles. I’m a student, so I’d love to shop for a few different cold weather perfumes to wear but it’s not in the budget. I envy you better-funded perfumistas. 🙂
Allure Sensuelle is a really cosy fragrance–nice!
If it’s summer squash like zucchini that weigh you down, I found a great Italian recipe for them. It’s easy, too. Grate a zucchini, salt it lightly and and put it in a strainer to drain. Then, sauté the grated zucchini in a lot of butter. Stir in shredded mint in the end. It’s really good.
I’m not really sure why — she was no glamour-puss — but my mother used to get L’Officiel, and perusing the ’70s/early ’80s archives brings back memories of studying that magazine like there was going to be an exam!
You should look at them again and see what memories it brings back!
Angela, what beautiful writing–so descriptive and meaningful. Our weather here in Baltimore over the past weekend was absolutely beautiful. I spent the entire day yesterday at a blues picnic listing and dancing to live music from 4 different international blues bands with of wonderful friends…a wonderful way to end the season. But I spent today very low-keyed. I always feel sad and nostalgic on Labor Day as it is the non-official end of summer and summer is so fleeting…even though here we have lots of warm September days. Today I wore 31 Rue Cambon–I’m not exactly sure why I picked it, but it was the perfect choice.
Happy Fall to everyone!
It sounds like you had a wonderful day–and with a great perfume, too! I agree, Labor Day is a little sad for me. Fall is so, so beautiful, but it’s hard for me to live in the moment when I know months of rain and cold are on their way.
My sentiments exactly!
Angela, what a great post. For me the year begins with school year. I also happen to be Jewish, so the two events usually coincide more or less (this year they are right on the same day!).
This is the time to start afresh, make everything better, etc.
With that being said, our summer in Vancouver, though very beautiful, started a little too late (mid July?) and ended too soon. I am crossing my fingers for 2 more weeks of sunshine or at least a couple more beach days… Please?
I hope you get more sunshine, too! Today it’s raining here. Back to the soggy bike rides to work.
I personally adore the fall and all that it conjures: crisp air, golden leaves on the ground, pumpkin spice lattes, leather boots and scarves aplenty, bouquets of sharpened pencils, cozying up with a bewitching tale in front of a blazing fire…and that blank slate feeling, of being able to start over, to purge, to redefine, to renew. It’s an incredibly invigorating time of year and I am SO happy it’s around the corner! Now all I need is the perfect fall scent to wear during this happy season. Any suggestions?
The NST top ten for fall will surely be coming out before too long–it should have lots to choose from! I like Chene, Duel, Tabac Blond, Sacrebleu, Diorling–oh gosh, I know I’m forgetting scores of them. Have fun!
Ooh, Chene sounds right up my alley! Merci
bookgirl, I love how you describe the fall and its feelings, scents and imagery – especially the “bouquet of pencils”!
My fall scent suggestions won’t be new to me, but hopefully to you: I love wearing Chypres in fall, especially fruity Chypres like Mitsouko and Femme. I also love leathery and smoky scents like Feuilles de Tabac, Tabac Blonde, Bvlgari Black and Dzing!
And lastly, I also enjoy wearing creamy tuberoses in the fall – such as Noix de Tubereuse and the only time of the year when I’m in the mood for the now defunct Yohji Yamamoto scent for women is on those crips fall days…
With all that being said, I’m so not in the mood for fall yet. I think I need to clear off my slate a little more perhaps?
I love every scent you mention and heartily second your recommendations!
Oh, great sadness!
I just gave up my 100ml bottle of Noix de Tubereuse to my church’s annual rummage sale. It’s such a beautiful fragrance, but so much bigger than I could handle (says she of the L’Heure Bleu persuation….). Luckily I did decant a little 5ml spray for those occassional little indulgences. Hoping someone will find it a good home.
Someone is going to make a gigantic score at that rummage sale! I’m so jealous.
OperaFan,
I’m sure the 5ml will last you a long time… I’m still enjoying my little samples and never made it to a full bottle of that particular scent…
But someone is going to be really lucky at the church sale. And you are going to have a neater and more spacious home and be happy with l’Heure Bleue! So don’t feel sorry about it.
Aww, thanks! I’m a bit obsessive about the season. Is it obvious? 🙂
I ADORE leathery, smoky scents and Dzing! is one of my all-time favorites. Haven’t given the others a try yet, so on the list they go!. Thanks so much for the reccomendations!
*recommendations
Oh, Fall, how I adore thee… so today I am wearing Roma in celebration of warmth and leaves turning. Anyone else a fan of Roma? It can be so, so cozy on a chilly day.
I haven’t tried that one, although I vaguely visualize a bottle shaped like a broken pillar. I’ll keep a lookout for it!
Yes, I do enjoy Roma. Thanks for reminding me to pull it out for fall, SG – it’s not too heavy, so it should be a good transitional scent.
What a gorgeous, thoughtful post! Thank you for it! I (guess) I am one of the “lucky” ones living in Florida my summer truly doesn’t end till late November but all the same my body is craving Fall. But I must be careful with my Hermes Ambre Narguille and Laura Mercier Minuit Enchante, beacause with all the heat and humidity you can really choke someone out! It will probably be New years Eve before I can rock that style of fragrance!!But I have found a lighter fall fragrance that is allowing myself to dream in Fall colors but with a lighter touch, Guerlain’s Moscou. I am truly in love with the stuff and somehow it works beautifully in the heat! Finally a Guerlain to love;-)
Humidity can wreak havoc with a big perfume, so I can see why you’d be careful! Still, I can also imagine craving spicier scents. Enjoy the summer you have left!
I love this time of year, and I so enjoyed your piece! It’s my first autumn in Hamburg – the weather is a month ahead of Boston; in other words, it feels like October 7. But the days are sunny after a rainy August, the air is crisp. Taking my daughter to the park or to play in the leaves, I’ve been really enjoying wearing Missoni by Maurice Roucel. But this morning was actually a little cloudier than past days, so I put on Jolie Madame.
That sounds like such a nice day! I always forget about Missoni, too–thanks for the reminder!
No Labor day here in UK… Dear Angela, reading your articles is such a plasure! Witty and cheerful as always 🙂
I’m glad you enjoy them! I hope you get a day off at some point, anyway, and don’t labor a bit.
When it comes to me, I hardly ever change my tastes in perfumery. I mean, I get to know new things constantly and I often start liking new perfumes, and I constantly purchase new bottles and decants… sometimes I change my opinions on some scents though. However, my all-time favorites, always have the same place in my heart. I adore Serge Lutens Mandarine-Mandarin and Ecens et Lavande. No matter how many times I open my vials, I close my eyes and I feel as if I was smelling them for the first time ibn my life… gorgeous, deliscious, so beautiful that it takes my breath away!!
Recently I picked up my bottle of an old favorite, CdG 2 from the shelf. I’ve decided to wear it for the day. I loved it even more than when I did back in the days, when I wore it almost every day!! I got this hit of “modern” aldehydes, dry smell of ink, and beautifully done incense & spices… Every time I wear CdG 2, it always feels like this is “MY” perfume. Just like these fancy clothes in my closet, that I bought a while ago, but haven’t had the right occasion to sport them, they are MINE too. The way my boyfriend makes me happy and also I know that he is “mine” too. That’s how I feel about CdG 2, it’s all “mine” too and it just feels like the perfume that always screams my name across the room. There’s never a time, when I open my CdG bottle, or some of my Sir Lutens favorites, and I feel like I’ve grown out of love. Oh no, if anything, I start thinking: “this is why I love them so much, because I could never stop loving them!”.
Now here is some out-and-out perfume love! Terrific! I like going back to perfume I used to wear a lot then put aside. I’m getting so much better at appreciating the nuances of perfume that revisiting old favorites can be such a great surprise.
No guarantees, but have you tried calling the CDG boutique in NYC about the Series 7 scents? I make a point of stopping in there to smell the ones that are hard to find elsewhere. They have them all lined up in tucked-away spot in their super-duper-modern store. I doubt they sell many, they’re almost hard to find!
I have a question to all perfumistas here… How do You feel when after years of trying so many perfumes, buying decants and bottles, exchanging samples and spending all Your money on so many scents… You develop Your own taste. Some begin to love florals, others love incense (including myself) or chypres. If I had to pick and stick to one group, I think it would be gourmands. I can’t stop myself from loving coffee, tea, chocolate and ginger fragrances. How do You feel, when after such a long time of developing Your own taste in perfumes, and choosing the right olfactive group, You come across the most perfect creations ever made. They bring out Your childhood memories, so much that You have tears in Your eyes, the precious mls in Your sample vials are like liquid gold to You. You don’t care how much Your perfume costs… all You know is that You need a bottle of it. Well, what can I say? I found my most perfect perfume, or even more, perfumes, ever created on this earth. My question is: why are they completely unavailable anywhere? I fell in love with CdG Series: 7. Unlucky as I am You can’t purchase them even if You have hundreds of dollars to spend… it doesn’t matter. They became so “ultra-niche” they are just too hard to find. Well, luckyscent brought Nomad Tea back in stock. However, the rest of them: Spicy Cocoa, Wood Coffee, Sticky Cake and oh, the most beautiful Burnt Sugar, are completely unaivallable. I have no words to describe, how sad it makes me feel… Burnt Sugar has everything I love and adore so much with all my heart: candied orange, spicy ginger, a kick of sugar with so much “oomph” and a hint of smoke that makes fall more bearable. If I could choose one perfume, only one, to wear for the rest of my life, I think I would choose Burnt Sugar without a blink of an eye. But it all doesn’t matter. Not even theperfumedcourt has a drop of it. You can’t even find it on Ebay, and believe me if anyone was selling Burnt Sugar on Ebay, I would be the winnewr of that auction, because I would even bid as high as $300 for a partial bottle of it… What can I say? 🙁
Keep your eyes out! I wouldn’t be surprised at all if you stumble across a bottle in a big perfume shop or online somewhere. Keep looking and good luck!
My heart goes out to you, Lavandula. I can’t offer any help on where to find your scent but I do sympathize. My favorite perfumes mean so much to me and to have them “retired” or reformualted just kills us all! I think retiring a perfume should be illegal! Seriously! Has anyone ever said, oh sorry, we are “retiring” that Monet painting and it will no longer be available for you to admire anymore. Can you imagine? No one would stand for that! But our “artwork” that we admire gets taken away from us all the time! Grrr!
Yes, I agree! Retiring fragrances should be illigal! They should be arrested for it, haha:)
Dang, Lavandula–I answered the wrong thread–see above, but I’d try calling the CDG boutique in NYC about the series 7 scents.
Haha!! Its ok:) I knew it was for me :)) yes I will definitely try calling them. I never thought about doing so, what’s wrong with me?! But I can always give it a try and maybe they have a bottle somewhere hidden in the basement, who knows?
I remember liking that Nomad Tea… need to revisit it!
I contemplated Fall scents today until I saw the forecast for NJ – upper 80’s, again… *Sigh* So am wearing MH Jasmin Vert today. It has worked nicely for me this summer.
Thank you for your thoughts, Angela. You’re right in that Labor day reflects a new beginning more so than New Years day does. I’ve always faced September with some trepidation (held over from the old school days) with the fear of the unknown. Yet it’s also the most beautiful time of the year, especially in the northeast due to the fall leaf colors.
In the 80s! It’s raining here and will be in the 60s. Boo. But as you say, when it’s a sunny fall day, it’s unsurpassingly gorgeous.
90 here today! I will definitely trade you! I’m dying for 60 degrees!!
If only it were that easy to swap!
I do love the fall but spring and summer are my favorites. After New Year’s Day, I have had enough of winter though. Northeast winters have taken their toll on me. And acutally perfumes help me through it ~ hail to he “comfort scents”! So, I have a very hard time letting go of summer and I don’t want to even have to think about winter at all yet. I love September though because it usually means lovely warm days and cooler nights. Afer all technically, it still is summer until Sept 21st – right? How I adjust is that I edge into fall by using summer fragrances in the day and cooler weather gourmands, and orientals,etc. at night…today is starting off with Hermes Eau Claire des Merveilles layered over Eau des Merveilles – which was a brilliant suggestion posted on here by Robin!
In my ideal world, winter runs from Thanksgiving through January, summer lasts for 2 glorious sunny months, and the rest of the year is split between spring and fall. I think fall is my favorite, though since I’ve begun struggling with SAD, it comes with a sense of dread, too. Today’s high is expected around 60*, so my SOTD is Boudicca Wode… and I’m suddenly getting a strong resemblance to Sienne l’Hiver.
I could go with your division of the year as long as the summer is long enough for a good crop of vegetables!
You know, that really is a good solution to the too-cool-at-night, too-warm-in-afternoon.
Getting ready for the fall (well our temperature is still high 90s haha but in the fall it will be down to 70s or 60s, I live in Southern Florida – but please don’t discriminate me, because 60s feel terribly cold for us here, so even I can rock my comfornt frags), I revisited my Comme des Garcons collection. But being the gourmand lover that I am, I was able to discover the Hermessence collection this year. I have never been a vitiver lover, so how suprised was I to fall head over heals for Vetiver Tonka. As I’ve said before I love dried fruit, cereal, nuts, and all yum yum smells. Missing my beloved Comme des Garcons sweet series, I gave Vetiver Tonka another try today. I think Ellena is a master! He created a beautiful fragrance, what a brilliant idea! A very “perfumey” ingredient: Vetiver paired with deliscious cereals, dried fruit and nuts. It is such an unusual scent. Yea, the price tag is high, but oh well at least this one is still in production, and I hope they never run out of stock! Full bottle on it’s way!!
Congratulations! It’s a beauty.
Dear, Angela! Now I have a real problem ahhh… My samples of Rose Ikebana just arrived straight from Hermes… I am so happy because after so many years I found my rose scent! Now I don’t even want fall anymore haha, it is such a dewy, beauiful rose. Omg, I love it’s pairing with rhubarb!! I used to own a bottle of CdG Rhubarb, but in the end it was a bit too much of it for me. Now I found my rose and my rhubarb too. My problem is that I can’t wear most rose fragrances. The only one I loved so far was FM Lipstick Rose, but it’s more of a “pin-up girl” rose and violet. I wanted a fragrance with a prominent rose and Rose Ikebana has lots of it. Rose tea, tart rhubarb and that vanilla and honey in the drydown, it rocks on my skin. I am truly in love… And in trouble too, I need another full bottle… Ahhhh, perfumes, perfumes…
It’s so difficult–and so nice!–to find a fragrance you really love and then have it be an expensive one!
This summer has been hotter than H-E-double-hockey-sticks in my neck of the woods (NY-Metro area). But I love the season so much, I am not ready for the cool fall weather. Wish I lived in a land of eternal summer, near the ocean, where I could enjoy the sun and sand every day…
Sigh. The beginning of fall is always melancholy for me, as summer stands for “carefree” and fall for “responsibility”. And this fall looks to be a busy one for me, and full of responsibility. I know I can handle it, but don’t want to start just yet!
I wore my so-called “heavier” fragrances all summer, and loved the way they blossomed in the heat – not overwhelming, but with more depth. Colognes and frags in the “light and fresh” category just don’t do it for me.
Fall is melancholy for me, too. As much as I love it, as much as I try to live in the moment, I can’t forget how fleeting it is.
Isn’t it amazing how some big fragrances really work in summer?