It's time for the weekend poll — Aunt Violet: "What's a weekend?" — and this weekend, we're scenting the cast of Downton Abbey. Scent as many or as few as you like, and please, there is no need for historical accuracy — Julian Fellowes has not been stifled by such considerations, so neither will we.
If you don’t watch Downton Abbey, feel free to scent a character from your favorite TV show.
I've been thinking about Aunt Violet. Actually, I don't think Aunt Violet would bother with perfume, but I'll give her a little drop of Chanel Cuir de Russie anyway. Sybil wouldn't bother with perfume either, but if somebody gave her a bottle, she'd wear it distractedly and never even notice when it was reformulated or changed names, so for her, Miss Dior Chérie. Edith would wear too much of something that didn't suit her but that she thought would suit Mary. I'll give her Guerlain L’Heure Bleue.
Mary is harder to pin down (as near as I can tell, she's also hard for Julian Fellowes to pin down: he wants her to be everything all at once). In season one, she seemed headed for big tuberose status, but now she's fallen back nearly to L'Artisan La Chasse aux Papillons. I'll reserve judgment until season two is over. Lavinia, meanwhile, can have some Annick Goutal Petite Cherie.
There. I did not scent the downstairs, or any of the men. Go to it, what are your picks?
I had tough and exciting week at the same time. It was tough, because I had biochemistry exam on Tuesday (passed!)
The reason why it was exciting is that when I visited my local drug store on Thursday I discovered new, great smelling line named Original Source. They carry shower gels, liquid soaps and bubble baths at the moment. Their fragrance range is quite wide. I bought a peppermint shower gel and green tea & lavender soap. The soap smells divine! Wonderful, pure and natural lavender. The soap’s label claims they used 18 handfuls of real lavender to give it this wonderful scent. Another exciting thing is that Bottega Venetta arrives here next week. This might not be a perfume I would like, but so many of you wrote good words about it that I just want to sample it with a smile on my face
It’s been really cold here lately (it’s -10*C now, was -20*C at night) so I’m wearing my favorite thick woolen jumper paired with Potion by Dsquared2 and my favorite cinnamon tea. Keep warm!
I’m not a huge fan of tv series, I have to think for a while of I can come up with any idea…
What’s your favorite cinnamon tea? Since we live in the same country now, I figure it would be easy to get my hands on it 😉 Spicy teas are nice to drink in the weather we’ve been having here lately. I’ve got a nice mandarin one from Dilmah that’s cheap, but surprisingly good. And I drink a lot of Earl Grey, as always.
I buy my cinnamon tea in a small local tea-shop. They offer great variety of black, red and green teas, flavoured and unflavoured. They have like 5 different cinnamon mixed with different things like dried apple pieces, orange peel, star anise.
Oh, and I got you some samples: Mr. Marvelous from Galilu, and a couple I had around the house: 1725 and Vetiver Tonka. I’ll see if I can pick up a few more in the coming weeks, and will send you a package when the weather warms up.
Sounds great! You’re awesome for getting and sending me those samples. My only chance to try them is to visit Warsaw, which I do very often – last time I was there was 2 years ago.
It’s no problem 🙂 I’ve gotten so many great things as extras in swaps recently that I’m happy I’ve got enough now to start giving some things away too.
I wish I met here on NST more perfumistas like you 😉 And if they were from Poland, we could swap samples all the time 😉
Hey Lucasai, I agree that Original Source are fab. Here in the UK we are lucky enough that they are drugstore products (although worthy of a more select distribution.) So u and your circle must have contacts in Britain – request a goody box from Boots from your next returners! BTW I would b happy to send u samples from UK – is there an issue with customs in Poland?
Oh, so Original Source is available also in UK, nice! In Poland we don’t have Boots, Rossmann drugstores carry this line here!
Really!? How sweet of you! Should I contact you in any certain way? I don’t think we have any customs issues, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
If you love cinnamon tea, I am sure that you would like “Winter” by Tea Pigs – it is a redbush tea flavoured with yummy spices. My husband and I are addicted to it in the cold weather, and it has a lovely Christmassy aroma. Tea Pigs have their own website, and their teas are sometimes available in Waitrose and other supermarkets. They also have a caramel redbush which gives you a sweet hit without actaully loading on the calories!
It sounds yummy! I just checked their wbsite you mentioned. Too bad that shipping to Poland would cost the same as a tea pack. But I’ll try to look for it in some supermarkets, I’ll check those prestigeous ones, maybe they’ll have tea pigs. I’m also planning to visit London for a few days at the beginning of summer, so no need to worry now.
So sorry, Lucasai, although I knew you were Polish, I somehow thought you lived in London! Just shows how sometimes one can get carried away with a wrong impression. But I bet you have some wonderful teas in Poland that we don’t have in England, so it is what they say is “swings and roundabouts”!
No need to worry or apologize Jillie! You just made me curious why you thought I live in London, despite me being polish (happy to hear that more and more NSTers recognize me) You’re right, there’s always something good here, that’s not available there, am I right? Speaking of tea, I buy mine in a local tea shop, they have great prices and a big choice, that is still changing
btw, you smell good – love DSquareds Potion – did you read Octavian’s recent review of it?
Thank you, I’m a little bit addicted to this Potion. Yes, I read Octavian’s review of Dsquared2 Potion. To tell more, I wore Potion the day he wrote it. Coincidence?
I tried to come up with any TV series that more people would be familiar with and only two titles come to my mind: How I Met Your Mother and Glee.
I would offer Robin Scherbatsky a small bottle of Chanel No.19 Poudre, it might suit her.
We did a Glee poll last year, I think…it’s been awhile since we’ve done anything TV.
I’m not familiar with numerous TV series, when I come back home most of the afternoon I learn for another day at university. When I watch TV series, it’s on weekend, and these are polish TV series, nothing known widely abroad. I watched How I Met… and Glee online, I’m not familiar with anything else. Hah, despite House M.D which broadcasts on polish tv with polish lector
How would you scent House? I would want him in something intentionally abrasive! Or ironic?–like Axe body spray?
That’s a tough question Marjorie! House is unpredictable, so maybe he should be given fragrance that is so complex that single notes are hard to distinguish? Like in Antidote by V&R? Nah, he probably wouldn’t like that. Would House even care about fragrance?
I can only imagine him wearing it to annoy someone or to take someone by surprise–or one of those rare moments when he’s trying to improve himself for Cully!
I would scent House with some great classy French scent. I suppose due to the fact, that I can’t really see House as House, he’s still Hugh Laurie to me, who seems very much the English Gentleman to me.
Choice of scent? PdN New York, MDCI Invasion Barbare
House would be scented by his most recent binge…. I am sure that Hugh Laurie would choose JM Amber and Lavender, but really should wear Terre D’Hermes or Guerlain Vetiver.
I used to love House MD, but grew a little tired of it recently. Anyway, back in 2006 there was a great discussion thread here on NST on the very subject. I remember it perfectly, because thanks to it I first found and love 10 Corso Como!
https://nstperfume.com/2006/10/06/desperate-housewives-forbidden-fruit-fragrance-review/
We did a House poll back in 2009:
https://nstperfume.com/2009/03/06/lazy-friday-poll-scent-the-cast-of-house-md/
I was just watching tv and found that Downton Abbey is being aired on one of our polish channels. I also think it would be interesting if there was a LWP with chosing a fragrance for other NST reader. We, who comment know a little bit about some others, so why not play a fragrance match?
I’m quite ashamed to say (being British) I haven’t watched Downton yet, so I can’t really comment.
Jean Luc Picard on the other hand – I think something like L’Occitan or Eau Sauvage would fit nicely. Or perhaps something with Bergamot, to match the Earl Grey…
Oooh, I would sniff Patrick Stewart!
On the other hand, “Number One” would need something more overtly masculine and a little arrogant–maybe an Amouage? (Unfortunately, I don’t know men’s scents as well as women’s.)
And what’s the perfume equivalent of adjusting your shirt every time you stand up? 🙂
Errm – Fat Electrician? In the most opposite way..
I would sniff Patrick Stewart as well! Pour Monsieur or maybe even Gray Flannel.
Number 1 would wear Hai Karate or Stetson- I am fairly sure there is a big gold chain and maybe chest oil under his uniform!
Hahaha! I love the idea of Stetson for No. 1!
And now I think about it, if I could write a “if I were a real boy” episode for Commander Data, it would be funny to watch him explore his own personal fragrance! Perhaps not a real audience-winner, I suppose!
The picks for Picard and Riker are so good I think I’ll just chime in a bit for some of the rest of the staff!
Wesley would be irritatingly fond of Axe, easy. But I also see him stealing occassional dabs of something of his mother’s perhaps a light Chanel (see below) when he thinks no one will notice. Still…he’s mostly coated in nostril-searing Axe-ness.
Data would definately wear one of the more synthetic CdG, I’d think. He’d feel a real connection with them, I think, where and in a way that most others cannot.
Guinan now…she’d be in Serge Lutens. Those more syrupy, stewed-fruity bases are all I can think of really, with her.
Crusher would usually be in something dry, probably with leather and a light floral. I think one of the Pd
Es.
Tasha Yar would stick to a light and fast dissipating cologne, I think. Possibly something as simple and classic as 4711. Nothing that would stick around too much, certainly.
Geordie would wear what at first seemed to be an inoffensive light musk, but with an underlying sharp or metallic edge. Maybe he’s be wearing CdG as well. Data probably got his first bottle from Geordi, now that I think about it.
Worf is easy. Muscs Kublai Khan in a particularly rough and goaty way. Er…and which is the PdE about tiger hunting? The one with all the cumin and lavender. And possibly a bit of Mechant Loup that he keeps purely to himself.
Troy is the tough one, for me. But I was never a big fan.
LOL, Kate! You just made my morning! I am especially thrilled with your picks for Wesley and Guinan! I agree that Troy would be tough, especially the early seasons when they still had her in the original Star Trek mini/sex kitten body suit. It makes me want to put her in something safe and inoffensive that/s marketed as sexy–Estee Lauder Sensuous perhaps?
Agree, Troy is challenging, and I had to think about this one before deciding she’d wear Amouage Lyric.
So true! He would have some serious sillage! :-D. I think Worf would also dab a little Musc Khublai Khan behind his ridges!
Perfect pick for Warf!
I’m surprised we never saw the Commander ordering up eau de toilette, Concentré d’Orange Verte, Hermes from the replicator! 🙂
I love Jean Luc Picard! And since he always drank my favorite tea, Earl Grey, perhaps TDC Bergamont.
Oh my gosh, first Downton Abbey, then Star Trek TNG fans – this place gets better and better all the time! :D.
Being a brit (in real life anyway), I think Jean-Luc would probs stick with Old Spice, if he wore anything at all. Number One would wear Drakkar Noir or some such over the top cologne from the early nineties, and Worf would be perfectly at home in Pure.Animal.Musk. Whichever frag that one personifies. So what about the ladies of the 1701-D?
As for Violet, the first and only frag that I thought of for her was Emeraude.
It’s nice to have a place to geek out, isn’t it!?
I totally agree with the SL MKK idea and think Worf would also like Montale Oud Cuir d’Arabie. In fact, oud in general would be really big on Klingon – perhaps that’s where the whole trend came from. 😉
So, I just checked my Downton Abbey hold at the library, and I’m number 333 of 500-something holds, with 38 copies in circulation. So, can’t yet speak directly to this topic.
However, over the last year or so I’ve been catching up on other tv shows–mostly HBO series I hear other people talk about: The Wire, Dexter, and (not HBO) Mad Men. Also, I watched several seasons of Battlestar Galactica (new version).
Mad Men seems like an obvious show to scent, and maybe I remember a conversation about Joan and Shalimar already? Peggy needs something quirky, playful and yet strong, maybe Lipstick Rose? And Don needs a smooth power scent with a some flaws, like Anataeus.
Dexter seems harder to scent. . .is there scent for a sociopath with a hidden life?
It seems like those Blood Concept perfumes might be right up Dexter’s alley.
I think I want something more subtle for him–is there a bland scent with just a hint of blood? 😉
Secretions Magnifique!
Oh, I was completely addicted to the new Battlestar Galactica! I can imagine Six in those strange S-Perfume scents, S-ex for day and 100% Love of for night. I could go on….but sadly, I guess perfume would be one of casualties of losing you home world. Imagine those who were lucky enough to have some perfume with them when they fled hoarding the last drops, or using them up on a special occasion…
Yeah, but you know that if you were there on Caprica, trying to pack up your possessions to get on the last flight off planet, you’d include a few loved scents! I think I would end up changing my style away from warm, spicy scents onto green, earthy ones! To live in that tin can for so long with no natural environments!
I’m sure you’re right (about packing scent and changing tastes). And remind me to carry more purse sprays – just in case!
It *IS* important to be prepared! 😉
I love the new battlestart too! I think after that show, mad men and downton might be my favorite shows. I can imagine Baltar’s Six (Caprica) in Shalimar too..
You’re right: they are both unstoppable!
Well, I’m a huge Downton fan and am tickled pink that it’s on opposite the Superbowl tomorrow night. I think Thomas should wear Egoiste, and lots of it. Lady Grantham I see in Chanel #5 parfum as her signature scent. Lord Grantham seems a no nonsense, Bay Rum type of man; something from Czech & Speake, no doubt. Carson would wear Trumper’s hair oil and no talk of any frivolities like perfume, which he would see for ladies only. Anna would favor a heart breaking rose like Nahema (from last week, “does this mean our garden’s rosy again?”) Nahema may not be wistful enough – PdN’s Rose Pivoine might be a better choice. And Bates, whom I love because how can you not, should be wearing a warning label that says “I have issues and past baggage, stay away!” Mrs Hughs would favor something like lilac water. And what could Daisy wear but Daisy? Maybe Lady Mary could wear Contradiction, the name certainly fits. Or just Chanel 19 and be done with it. Matthew Crawley, hmmm, Cartier Declaration. The cute chauffer can wear whatever he wants. 🙂
I love that it’s opposite the super bowl too! And so true, Daisy would wear Daisy. Nice picks all around.
Awesome picks!!!..I say the cute Chauffeur should wear Puredistance M, but of course he wouldn’t because it’s too elite..He’d probably wear Old Spice…the scent of the masses (and smell great wearing it!!!)
Yes — it would have to be mass market!
I’m compelled to say Chanel Egoiste for the chauffeur. He plays at being the in-your-face revolutionary but is really soft-hearted underneath.
Love your picks Ringthing! Especially agree with your choices for Lord and Lady Grantham! I see Mr. Bates in Old English Leather (at the risk of sounding too predictable).
Oh, but I do think he’d wear something predictable!
I enjoy the ongoing personality tug-of-war between dowager Countess Violet and her successor, the American upstart Cora. Violet seems like a Atkinson’s White Rose wearer, if she wears scent at all. But Cora (being a subtle rebel, and at heart a romantic) would go in for something lush and French, like Coty Jasmine de Corse… no doubt to put a bee in her straitlaced mother-in-law’s bonnet.
I skipped Cora, but you’re right, she’d wear something that would annoy Violet!
Yes. Auntie Violet is something old fashion, I should think, as in rose water, rose or lavender, but something with a bit of character… Any thoughts?
Matthew, who hates fuss and views personal grooming as a task to be got over with as quickly as possible, probably slaps on some kind of brusquely scented after-shave. Not French, heaven forbid; nothing Continental. But he would smell damn good in spite of himself.
I nominate C&S Oxford and Cambridge.
Agreed. I was thinking C&S, just hadn’t decided which. And of course Cousin Matthew doesn’t recollect the name. It’s just something [scowl] the chemist sold him.
Oh, that works!
Tabarome, and possibly only because someone at his club recommended it. I agree w/ you that Matthew isn’t terribly particular about personal grooming products. I don’t envision him finding fragrance all that essential; it’s merely something to wear in the same way that a man wears a tie or watch chain or hat– in the professional world, you’re slightly incomplete without it.
Very apt, both the scent and the characterization. Nice bit about the fellow clubman recommendation.
On the other hand, Mary, who does fancy herself the sophisticate, definitely wears fine French perfume. She wrinkled her nose at Mitsouko, and her manners utterly failed her when the nice Parisian shopgirl proffered a linen serviette sprinkled with Jicky. But she was well pleased to buy an atomizer of Shalimar, not least because the Dowager Countess disapproves of it as “too forward.”
Perfect!
Agreed! Shalimar sounds great for Mary!
Absolutely, Shalimar! That’s perfect.
Any Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans out there? I’m not sure what Buffy would wear, but Faith needs something sexy and rebellious–maybe Rubj? (I haven’t actually sniffed this one, but based on what you folks have said!)
Buffy wears Angel. *ba dum bum* I’ll be here all week, folks. Don’t forget to tip your waiter.
🙂
My scentings so far:
The Dowager Countess (I LOVE that title) – Mitsouko..You don’t meet with that woman!!!
Cora – Tommy Girl…because it’s so American
Lord Grantham – Ummm this is difficult – still thinking
Matthew Crawley – Chanel Bleu for those blue eyes!!!
Lady Mary – Party in Manhatthan – after all she did party, albeit it tragically briefly with the Turk – but really I think she would wear something melancholy – Like L’Artisan Haie Fleurie
Lady Edith – Illuminum White Gardenia Petals – she wants to be a real princess – poor Edith
Lady Cybil – something bright and beautiful – Puredistance I
Robin…this is sooo much fun!!!
For the Dowager Countess I meant to say you don’t “mess” with that woman!
Oh, excellent choice for Edith. Poor Edith.
Laughing at Cora in Tommy Girl! It’s probably apt, but surely O’Brien would force her to get something better?
Robin, you are right. O’Brien would never let “m’Lady” wear something as crass as Tommy Girl. Would they compromise on vintage Lauren by Ralph Lauren?
Vintage Lauren – excellent choice.
Dumb and perhaps lazy question: Everyone seems to love this show, but I only have basic cable (I’m cheap, more money for perfume:) – So…is there a way to watch this how online for free?
It’s not on a cable channel, it’s on PBS. You can also watch last week’s episode for free on PBS online, and of course you can rent the disks but that costs money.
if you are a member of Amazon Prime, you can watch the entire 1st season for free. Good Luck!
That’s good to know! Thanks for the tip 🙂
Ah, well I do Netflix DVDs…I’ll check to see if they carry. Thanks, Robin I didn’t know this was PBS…
Netflix has season 1 as well, also for streaming
A little something to amuse Downton Abbey fans (and you’ll never recognize Mrs. Hughes!):
http://www.papermag.com/2012/02/downton_abbey_stars_out_of_cos.php
Since we already have so many great selections for upstairs, I’ll try the downstairs ladies:
Anna – Barbara Bui Le Parum. Quiet, comforting, unassuming, yet very appealing.
Mrs. Hughes – One of the nice, crisp colognes from Santa Maria Novella; maybe Fieno (the hay note will remind her of her youth on the farm).
Ethel – Pink Sugar (back when she was still flirting with the Major – the poor girl probably is wearing perfume these days).
Daisy – ringthing is right – it’s Daisy for Daisy. Young, fun, pretty.
O’Brien – Narcisse Noir. She swiped it from upstairs (I think their are some Caron girls upstairs).
Mrs. Patmore – surrounded by cooking odors all day long; let’s let Mrs. Patmore have some lovely flowers, shall we? How about Penhaligon’s Violetta
Mrs. Bates – She has an old bottle of Lanvin Scandal hidden away…..
What an awesome site. Mrs. Huges looks completely different and the picture of Ethel before and after is hysterical given the Dowton Abby story line!
Fun, thanks for the link!
Yes, that was great. Off-screen Thomas Howes (William) looks like a UK version of John Krasinski!
Ethel in Pink Sugar = hilariously on the mark!
Gosh, I can’t seem to type today:
Ethel probably isn’t wearing perfume these days and honest, I do know the difference between they’re, their, and there! 😉
Forgot all about the scheming Mrs Bates. Scandal is the ideal choice and you’re right; she’d have it tucked away somewhere and not wear it often.
What a coincidence! I just watched episode 1 last night on Netflix because everyone on here kept mentioning it. Yeah, it sucked me in too. I now have a whole season to catch up on. That’s not bad though because I’ll be watching football tomorrow so wouldn’t be able to see the current episode.
I don’t know the characters well enough yet to pick scents for them.
On a side note, I’d love to know what cologne Alan Rickman wears. That voice… (sighs)… He makes the heart go pitter patter.
I don’t know, but we scented the cast of Harry Potter once and there was discussion of Snape:
https://nstperfume.com/2008/06/20/lazy-friday-poll-what-would-hermione-granger-wear/
🙂
Oh, I loved to read this pool of Harry Potter. It is a pitty I was not here at that time. I’d scent everyone, including Belatrix, Dolby, Minerva, Luna, Hagrid… I could feel the smell of Dolores Umbridge by miles.
🙂 Love the idea of smelling Umbridge before she enters the room!
Yeah! Do you remember when she went to Hagrid’s house and when going out she sprayed a perfume on herself and on the door making an “X”? I was was annoyed cause I couldn’t identify the frag! It even distracted me! Oh my!!!… oh my!!!… I’ll never know which one was. Grrrrrr!
The perfume’s name should be in the credits, in bold letters!!!!
By the way, is Minerva the second woman in grey with the cap? Did she stop teaching?
I would have loved the HP poll too. So many great characters.
This is not exactly on topic for this poll, so I hope it’s OK to mention it: for anyone who didn’t know or has forgotten, the Swapmania on Perfume Posse is going on this weekend. I’ve already worked out swaps for 6 unloved bottles myself.
Good to know. I’ve submitted my wish-list! Trying to find a home for my unloved fragrances.
Doesn’t Isabel Crawley get to wear scent? I think she’d stick with lavender. Nice, sensible Caswell-Massey English Lavender, most likely. But for late at night, when shes alone, perhaps we can give her a secret bottle of Tom Ford Palm Lavender. Or — she has a secret yen for adventure; shes not as pinned-down as we might think. When she’s away from those she knows, let her have En Avion.
You have her perfectly — English Lavender is just right.
Yeah, English Lavender — but I lke to think that she has a secret, wilder life, with red satin garters hidden beneath her gray dresses. And perfume to match
I am enjoying reading everyones comments! Great topic Robin!
One that comes to mind for Sybil is Bellodgia. I second Shalimar or L’Heure Bleu for Mary. And I see Edith in a flowery Penhaligon’s, like Bluebell. I have visions of Mr. Bates splashing on English Leather after shaving, and I want to put Cora in an Amouage, I’m just undecided as to which!
Yes, Bluebell would work for (poor) Edith too!
I was thinking of Amouage for Cora too- but when I went through the actual perfumes- I couldn’t pick one that would suit her. But that kind of luxurious perfume would suit her.
Im not going to offer any suggestions-as I find Im hopeless at it but I think you are all mistaken about Auntie Violet-she is no shrinking violet and Im sure she would wear a heavy perfume, say Bal A Versailles.
I agree. She’s rather outspoken and reminds me of my grandmother! She was a formidable woman and she wore Jean Patou Joy and also Guerlain Mitsouko.
She certainly isn’t a shrinking violet! I said I didn’t think she’d bother with perfume just because I think she has nearly always got bigger fish to fry, so to speak…she doesn’t seem like someone who would fuss over her toilette.
I would scent the downstairs with smoke from lighting and maintaining the house fires. Let’s not romanticise servitude!! Pre WW1, Yardley were high end, unlike in the present day, both English Lavender and April Violets were launched at that time, so presumably the upstairs were scented in that very English fashion.
It’s very true that the show, in many ways, romanticizes servitude, but that’s ok with me — it romanticizes everything, including trench warfare. It’s basically a soap opera.
Definitely a soap opera, with fabulous sets and costumes. It’s caused me to look for similar series streaming on Netflix. Found The Forsyte Saga last week and it’s as good as Downton Abbey, a perfect set piece of Victorian England.
The Forsyte Saga was another good one.
I’ve really grown to like Mary- although what you say about the director wanting her to be everything is probably true..I’d actually give her something with sophisticated cool,greenish top notes with a warm woody base..maybe Heure Exquise as the main perfume, with a sly dab of OJ Taif on her neck.
Sybil would wear something indie like Aftelier’s Cepes and Tuberose.
Edith would wear Puredistance Antonia to hold her own against Mary, though she would probably much rather be wearing Shalimar.
Aparatchik is spot on- Barbara Bui would be great on Anna.
I’d like Mathew to wear By Killian Straight to Heaven (the lavender one)
I can see Lady Cora in Caron Narcisse Noir.
Lord Grantham would wear By Killian Cruel Intentions
I meant BK taste of heaven for Matthew
Oh and I think Thomas would wear Tom Ford Tobacco vanille
Carson would wear Tuscan Leather (a gift from Lord Grantham)
and Lady Violet might wear either nothing, or something inoffensive yet elegant in public, but I swear she has a secret stash of DSH Pandora in the bottom most drawer of her dressing table..:)
You won’t believe it, but I really did think of Ta’if for Mary earlier — it’s a good fit with her “mixed personality” — but I couldn’t say why.
how cool! yeah- Ta’if was an instinctive choice for Mary- it just fits!
I’ve always liked Mary — I thought I must be the only one! I hate that she refuses to tell people the Turk forced himself on her when he basically did — it was like Victorian date rape! I mean, what, the first two no’s don’t count??
Agreed that she needs something superficially cool but secretly soft and tender. Grand Amour could work.
I know! I always wondered why she didn’t say so in the beginning..
I’ve been watching this show. Great poll! I decided not read anyone else’s responses before making my suggestions. It will be interesting to read them. Here are my picks:
Lady Mary Crawley – definitely Jicky
Cora Crawley – Nahema
Lady Edith Crawley – Chamade
Robert Crawley – Derby
Violet Crawley – I think it’s hysterical she always wears purple. She’d most definitely have to wear a violet soliflore.
Lady Sybil Crawley – Eau Sauvage
Oh, and I’ve just started watching Season 1 on Netflix. There’s already a Season 2? Love these English period mini-series. 🙂
Oh, I like Sybil in Eau Sauvage, perfect! Nice picks all around.
They’re showing Season 2 on PBS now, most places are showing it on Sunday nights. I think tomorrow night is episode 5 of 7.
Purple and mauve were “light mourning” colors – proper choices for a widow in that era. Irreproachable elegance.
Haven’t seen this show yet but I’m enjoying all the comments even without knowing the characters!
Seems like one of those Grossmith perfumes (Hasu-no-Hana, Phul-Nana, or Sham el Nessim) ought to fit in somewhere. 🙂
Oh, do watch it! It’s quite fun.
Instead of matching the actual scent to the characters, I’m matching the name of the perfume.
Mary: My Sin
Mr. Pamuk: Habit Rouge by day, Cumming by night (and I still think the butler did it!)
Thomas: Pretexte
Rosamund: Rumeur
William: Marry Me!
Lord Grantham: Grey Flannel
Cora: Youth Dew
Mrs. Bates: Intrusion
Edith: Insolence
Ethel: Shocking!
Sybil: Allure
Lady Violet: Diva
Carson: English Leather
Lavinia: Tender Poison
Mathew: Heritage
*clap clap clap*
Most excellent.
Love it!
LOL. Well done!
Three cheers!
well done!
This is BRILLIANT!
Thanks, kind perfumistas, for your comments. After having watched last night, I should complete the list with the characters I missed:
Mr. Bates: The One
Anna: Happy
Mrs. Hughes: Intuition
Daisy: Enslaved
O’Brien: Knowing
Isobel: Ange ou Demon
Jane: Very Irresistible
P. Gordon: Visit
Sir Richard: Danger
Mr. Lang: Bang
The Minister: A*Men, of course!
I’m doing Game of Thrones, because I’ve never seen Downton Abbey. Since the cast is huge, I’m just doing a few of my favorites.
Danaerys: Jicky, something innocent on top and animalic underneath.
Khal Drago: Secretions Magnifique, because his favorite things are sacking cities and…well, bodily fluids generally.
Sansa Stark:Yardley’s Rose. Sweet, innocent and simple.
Arya Stark: 4711, something bracing and gender neutral for when she stalks cats and water dances.
Cersei Lannister: Bandit. She doesn’t even try to hide the claws.
Catelyn Stark: White Shoulders, something classy and restrained but not girlish.
Lysa Aryn: Pink Sugar, because she’s trying so hard to cling to her youth. And her son’s youth *shudders*
Sandor Clegane” Musc Koublai Khan, because it suits a Hound. Anyone remember the thing with Micah the butcher’s boy? Yeah.
Samwell Tarley: Demeter’s Paperback, of course.
Ser Jorah Mormont: Eau Sauvage. The irony would appeal to him, and he’s trying so hard to retain that part of himself that’s still the lord of Bear Island.
Jamie Lannister: Bulgari Black, because his personality has the same quality–abrasive, dangerous but compelling.
Varys the Spider: Violettas di Parma. First you smell it, now you don’t.
Tyrion Lannister: :L’Heure Bleue, because he seems so harmless at first. And terribly sad.
See what I mean about a cast of dozens? 🙂
Wow, yes. I do want to watch that eventually.
I haven’t seen any for Thomas– I’m thinking Tabac Blonde for day, and Fracas or Gucci Rush at night, applied with a firehose.
LOL!
Wow, what timing. Just last night I queued up the first season of Downton Abbey on Netflix so I can start watching it from the beginning. Thinking about this poll is going to make viewing the show even more fun. Thanks for the idea, Robin and thanks to all for your ideas. I can’t wait to see this chauffeur that several people have mentioned.
Have fun!
CdG Avignon for O’Brien and SL Musc Kublai Khan for Pamuk?
Yay! Such a great show!
Lady Violet- Apres L’ondee (somehow both old fashioned and young at heart)
Lady Isabel- Emeraude (only on special occasions!)
Lord Grantham- Tom Ford Tuscan Leather
Lady Cora- something a bit too sweet (Petite Cherie)
Sybil- only a dab of something on the rare occasion it occurs to her
(Petite Cherie her mum gave her 5 yrs ago)
Edith- Angel (with a light hand- but still rubs people the wrong way)
Edith’s suitor that Mary ran off- tad too much Aqua di Gio
Thomas- Jicky – he stoled from his last post
Daisy-no perfum- just smells of vanilla/baking
Matthew- something unfussy: Terre d’Hermes
Mary- Chanel No. 5 parfum- understated and sexy
Carson- English leather
I am sad to report that the second series was rather bad, as was the Christmas Special, and Downton Abbey has now become the butt of many jokes in the UK media and it will be very difficult to take it seriously ever again.
Season 2 is only just airing in the US, so no spoilers please! 🙂