The eleventh edition of a poll about transitional fragrances: what are your favorite fragrances as summer turns to fall this year? What scent makes you happy as the nights get chilly and the days take on that crisp edge? And tell us what perfume you wish you owned for chilly weather.
(Or, if you’re like me, tell us what fragrances will allow you to hang on to that summer feeling just a little bit longer. And of course, if winter is turning to spring where you are, adjust the questions accordingly.)
Or, as always, talk about something else…
Note: top image is Golden Streak [cropped] by judy dean at flickr; some rights reserved.
Hi everyone,
My mom passed away peacefully yesterday morning. My sister and I were with her. We are adjusting to being parentless.
Hugs to Calypso, I’m so sorry you lost your mom this week too.
I may post some new perfume announcements over the next couple days, or I might not, and I might post a poll on Tuesday, but for sure will be close to normal posting by Wednesday.
It will take me awhile to read all the comments I missed but I will catch up.
I probably won’t go back and respond to each message of sympathy but I will absolutely read them and please know how much I appreciate all the support — you guys are great.
My deepest condolences Robin. May you find peace and comfort with the presence of your family.
Please take good care of yourself and if you need a break, no matter how long, that’s completely okay. We are not going anywhere.
I wish I can give you a hug in person, but here is a virtual one. 💛
Adding my deepest condolences, Robin, and wishing you peace and the comfort of knowing you did all you could for her and were with her in her final hours. . And, as a parent myself, I imagine she found peace and comfort feeling the love of her family surrounding her during her final days and hours. 🤗🤗 to all.
I am sorry for your loss, Robin.
I’m so sorry for your loss Robin. Hugs to you and your family.
Robin, deeply sorry for your and your sister’s loss of your mom. I feel gratefulness that her passing was peaceful and you were both with her. These last days of saying goodbye to her were a balm to your sadness I dearly dearly hope. May her memory be a beautiful blessing !
LesLiesse said it all well. Sending a big hug, Robin.
Sending love, hugs and heartfelt condolences.
Sending you and your sister condolences. So glad you were with her.
As happy888cat put it, take your time, we will be here.
Sending you and your family hugs.
Sending dear Calypso hugs.
So sorry for your mom’s passing. Know we have all been thinking of you and your family. Glad you could be there for her
I am so sorry for your great loss, Robin, but glad to learn the end was peaceful. Wishing you all the best as you grieve.
My deepest condolences, Robin, sending my love to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom, Robin. Please take all the time that you need and we will still be here.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Robin. Sending you and your family hugs at this very difficult time. We’ll be here when you’re OK with coming back.
My deepest condolences, Robin. Sending you hugs and strength.
My condolences, R. Sending you a big bear hug.
I’m so sorry, Robin. I’m glad it was peaceful. We went to a celebration of life for a friend this afternoon, and sobbed through much of it when we weren’t smiling. I hope you can hold on to some smiles in coming days.
It’s all been said and there are never the right words. So very sorry for your loss. ❤️🩹
Robin, I can relate to your pain and your loss.
HUGS
Robin, I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your mom. You and your family are in my prayers. Sending hugs.
Heartfelt condolences, Robin. We are all thinking of you and wishing you peace.
Condolences to you and Calypso. It’s hard to find the right words. I hope fond memories of your mother and time spent with your family will bring you comfort and clarity.
Very sorry for your loss, Robin. Please don’t rush back, take all the time you need, we’ll be happy to hear from you as & when you feel able.
More hugs to you, Robin and Calypso. Seems like there is so much loss these days. We’re all thinking of you and your families.
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Robin.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother, Robin. Hopefully you and your sister can comfort each other. Please look after yourself.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Robin. Please take all the time you need.
Robin I’m so sorry and I echo all the beautiful comments of our other NST posters.
Calypso, you are also in my thoughts.
Many hugs!
I’m so sorry Robin. I am glad you and your sister have each other right now. Please take care.
Blessings on you and your sister…I am sure that your mother will remain by your side. Take comfort in that.
My absolute deepest condolences, Robin.
Robin, please accept my heartfelt sympathies on the passing of your Mom. I am quite familiar with that rudderless feeling which comes with the knowledge that both your parents are gone. No one it too old to be an orphan.
Sending you and your family hugs and warm thoughts.
Ugh, why I did miss the typo up above?? “No one IS too old to be an orphan.”
Insert facepalm.
Condolences to you and your family, Robin. Sending more hugs💗
Robin, I’m so deeply sorry for your loss, and glad that you and your sister were with her, and can be there for each other. Please take whatever time you need, we’ll all be around xxoo
My condolences to you and your family. My condolences to Calypso too. Sending you all my prayers in your time of loss.
We are headed to our county fair today. When I go to the fair, I normally wear something from Andy Tauer. Today’s SOTD is PHI Une Rose de Kandahar. Probably not the most fitting Tauer for a county fair but I have a craving for it.
Have a great time Dawn!
Ooh…I love a county fair! Enjoy, Dawn!
A very timely poll for the weather here — I woke to the sounds of raindrops plopping into the roof gutter just outside the bedroom. Fall! Yay! Break out the sweaters! One of my favorite perfume things in fall is to smell like a fluffy marshmallow cloud, so I do, in Profumum Roma Alba over Le Dix dusting powder.
Fall is definitely here in Montréal. Wearing Le Parfum du 68 which is a nice transition scent.
Yay for fall weather and you smell great!
Must be gorgeous ! Autumn is my favorite season
Thank you for reminding me of this one, cazaubon! I need to pull my bottle out.
I am meeting a close friend for coffee later this afternoon. I was just counting the years we’ve known each other and gosh it’s over 20 years!
Sotd is TF Lost Cherry. The weather here in Toronto is starting to cool off slightly and I can wear perfume and walk outside happily again without feeling being suffocated.
This morning I ordered Prada Infusion de Rhubarbe (wanted it since launch) and Gucci Oud Intense (something weighty for Fall) because Sephora put them on sale and I saved $70 and $50 respectively!
I bought Lost Cherry but haven’t worn it much. I seem to be on a chypre kick
Chypres are goooorgeous. Enjoy the kick!
Hmm, now I wonder what a cherry chypre would smell like. Some perfumer should get on that!
The weather is so great in Montréal right now, low 20’s in the daytime and low double digits at night.
Our trend is towards spring, but a trend is not apparent every day – it’s back to winter here. I’m wearing a cold weather favourite, Olfactive Studio Chambre Noire.
Finally, a warm (but not too warm) 🌞 day with much lower humidity. We very much enjoyed open windows and no a/c today.
SOTD since it’s still warm but dry is Dame Perfumery’s Monsoon edp layered over BBW’s Wild Sand lotion and body spray. Perfect! 👍
Will think about the poll later. Now we’re headed to enjoy the rest of this nice day at the Taste of Polonia to enjoy some good Polish food and music.🪗
In Cuir Beluga today which cazaubon mentioned yesterday…and it really doesn’t get any better than this! 🥰 It’s pretty much a perfect perfume composition.
It’s in the upper 80s in San Diego but it’s overcast with some sprinkles at least. Autumn now! 🍁 My Ambers and I are ready. 💪🏻
Love Cuir Beluga!
So ready for fall!!
There’s a little edge in the breeze today even if it’s sunny out. A couple of my favorite fragrances for the transition time are Chergui and Knowing. They’re fairly ‘big’ scents so I try to keep my usual 6+ sprays down to around 2 or 3.
Yesterday we made chicken soup for suppers this week. I just have to cook up the egg noodles and store them separately in the fridge to use as we go. I love soup season!
I thunked a sample today, which rarely happens! Penhaligon’s Elisabethan Rose, the original. It has worked very well in the ongoing stifling heat and humidity tempered by air conditioning. No signs of fall here yet.
What transition? 94F flippin’ degrees today. A/C cranking at maximum strength and I’m still avoiding any kind of outdoor anything. Will I ever stop complaining about the heat? Nope! But my antidote for now is CSP Coco Figue from my travel spray that will be thunked in the very near future. I’m really making a dent in my “summer perfumes” this year…🥵
I’m so looking forward to winter in the desert, minding my own business, walking among the cacti with doggo, enjoying the sunshine while wearing a sweater and jacket, catching a glimpse of a road runner, listening to coyotes howl, not being bombarded with alarms at work, sleeping at night like a normal person, and having peace and quiet to stand amazed, watching the glorious sunsets…🏜️
https://youtu.be/_SGlPnA_iCk?si=Equyf69ZMk08ggzU
The two of us! ❤️🤣
That’s so funny! I know I must have seen these two sometimes during my formative years but I don’t remember it ALL. Did you notice though, that Mr Cold Miser seems quite a bit happier and more carefree than Mr Heat Miser, who looks like he’s angry at the world in general? There’s a lesson there. I will admit that Mr Heat Miser has a better hairdo, so props to him. 🙃
I never noticed that!
I totally empathize with you re the weather. (If you read my Saturday post you’ll understand.). Although I won’t be able to enjoy winter in the desert, now that I’m retired and don’t have to drive to work, I’ll take the snow and ice anytime over the relentless heat and humidity of this past summer and frequent storms. As an ‘outside’ person I’ve spent a frustrating amount of time ‘inside’ this summer in a/c because I can’t stand to be outside (and my garden reflects this!). Whereas even on a cold day in winter I’ll bundle up and spend at least a short time in our covered swing or on our screened porch.
I know Chicago can be a beast in the summertime and of course things are just getting worse every year. I totally understand your frustration with being cooped up indoors. Same situation here, to the point both the dog and I have gained weight from lack of our ability to be outdoors doing our regular activities. I hope you have some wonderful crisp falls days heading your way soon! 🍁🍂
Same for me, give me cold weather over excessive heat any time!
I know Robin and others are going through such a difficult time, and I hope you’re able to find some peace and comfort in remembering all the happy memories of our loved one whom we’ve lost.
Browsing through socks online thanks to that link galbanumgal gave me yesterday. I may actually buy horse socks and I am thinking a pair for my instructor. We shall see if I pull the trigger.
SOTD L’Iris by SMN from a sample. This is a beauty. Melograno is still my favorite. But this is really beautiful!
I’ve been loving your SMN posts all summer, LTSG, and I think it’s cool you found a signature house and signature scent 🙂 Hope the sock purchase works out well for you.
The SMN here in the city is so beautiful — honestly, I could happily buy everything in the that store! The customer service is wonderful too, which makes the whole experience even more special. I think that’s part of why I’ve been enjoying the perfumes so much. Maybe wearing a particular scent really can transport you somewhere beautiful, or at least remind you of a beautiful place/store/experience.
Robin, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I’m glad you and your sister were there and it was peaceful. Take all the time you need with your family and when you’re ready, we’re here.
Today I wore Sel de Vetiver, trying to prolong summer. I didn’t wear a lot of perfume this summer, so wanted to get this in one last time.
It’s 20C (68F) – it does feel like a transition from summer to fall.
I am wearing Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia, which is more associated with spring and summer. However, I think it is a bit too much on a hot day, so this weather works great for it.
The province I live in got slammed with extreme weather. We’re ok on the mainland but Cape Breton got hit hard and it’ll take forever to get cleaned up.
I did make it to the Exhibition yesterday and watched the heavy horse pulls. The winning team pulled over 9500 pounds. As I was sitting there eating cotton candy and listening to Dolly sing about Jolene I thought -this could be right back in 1979 lol. I had a great day. What fragrance did I choose? D’zing, of course!
It’s only 11 degrees here and still raining. The high winds took the leaves off the trees so it seems like very late fall and I’m trying to cook for the week. Seems too soon to be so far removed from summer.
You smell amazing!
I can’t think the last time I had cotton candy
To think I was just in Cape Breton less than one month ago enjoying beautiful weather! So sorry they have been hit hard. We loved it, camped at the national park and drove the Cabot Trail.
Sending condolences to you and yours, dear Robin.
Robin I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. I’m glad you and your sister were there.
I’m wearing Salome today.
I’m in the mood for something with a touch of spice, so I’m wearing Sana Jardin Tiger By Her Side.
I’m off today. My daughter and I went out to visit my sister. She didn’t want to talk about her health, so we talked about normal life stuff, and took some pictures. It’s weird how we look so much older in the pictures than we see each other in real life.
My sotd is caramel coconut body spray. I don’t want to wear anything good when I am feeling sad.
I hope today is a better one, lillyjo.
Thank you ringthing. So far, so good.
I reach for sweets when I’m feeling sad. Today was Vanitas for a pick me up. Sending you hugs.
Glad you were able to spend time with your sister.
What fragrances for chilly weather? Where is the chilly weather? We are in the absolute most brutal, hottest days of the entire year. We won’t have any breaks at all until November. Where I live in Southernmost FL – it used to be some 20 years ago – that we would have cold days in the low 60s or even 50s by mid October. Ok anyone saying that the global warming is a myth or a conspiracy theory – they are wrong. I am no specialized scientist in that matter but I have my very own observations. It is much hotter nowadays than it was 20 years ago. It just is. In October it is still very much warm here where I live. Also some of the people that I know that live or travel to Poland and other European countries all say the same things. Winters in Europe are not the same anymore as they were 30 years ago. Cities that were buried in snow in the 90s – barely get any snow in today’s winters. To me white snowy streets is what made winter and Christmas magical, I will say though that I am a volunteer in my Church’s nursery and there was this little girl, a 3 year old that was telling me Christmas is near. I was smiling so much haha She was telling me about Her Christmas list and that She will be “buying” (yes buying not getting haha) a new doll house and some dolls for Christmas. Also did they will NOT be baby dolls because She has too many babies already. She wants grown up dolls (Barbies?) I would imagine. But She really restored so much of my good mood because She was adamant Christmas is near already – I told Her I had been ready for Christmas since last Christmas already. My favorite time of the year. Today’s Sotd was Chanel Coco vintage of course. Because I have a crystal bottle from the 80s with a stopper and I accidentally spilled some on the bed. Well my sheets will smell marvelous. I love that brown 🤎 juice with orange reflections. Thankfully I have an unopened backup and two beautiful pure parfums to go.
Vintage Coco, Bois des Iles and Cuir de Russie are perfect fall scents. You can add Sycomore and 31 Rue Cambon to that though.
Song of the Day: “Summertime Sadness” by Lana del Rey.
I didn’t post a link to the video because the content is kinda disturbing. But the melancholy of the song seems to fit the end of this summer, especially with what has been happening in NSTers lives lately.
AFK yesterday for a great reason. One of my cousins had a Labor Day BBQ at her place, so I was over there for a few hours socializing and meeting some of the next generation for the first time. Two members of her family also celebrate birthdays.
Hope you all had something good happen in the last 24 hours, no matter how small.
Yay for a family BBQ! I’m glad you got to go.
SO many delicious things! And my cousin kept asking if I had had enough to eat. I teased her that she was acting like an Italian grandmother.
I have post vacation blues! Summertime sadness is the right song
I don’t have a favorite transitional summer-to-fall fragrance but my SOTD L’Occitane Miel & Citron works nicely and has some notes I like to add in early fall, honey, caramel, a touch of cinnamon, and vanilla. I also like apple, peach and apricot notes in September and tend to like more woody base notes, especially sandalwood. Not looking to add any perfumes (thus far) as chilly weather approaches (which probably won’t be til November the way the weather’s been around here!)
We had a wonderful time at the Taste of Polonia last night and stayed longer than expected, great food, and 3 excellent tribute bands, Chicago, a 60’s-70’s rock, and one for Phil Collins. Were planning on attending a folk festival today in a distant suburb but we were too tired. So we celebrated Labor Day by relaxing and not doing much ‘labor.’ 😌
Happy week ahead!
One of my favorite transition fragrances was SSS Equestrian. I had a travel size and thunked it a long while back. From the website:
“With top notes of apple and grass, heart notes of leather, hay, and violet, and base notes of sandalwood, cedar, moss, and light amber, Equestrian is an outdoorsy yet civilized take on a hay and leather theme. Filtered sunlight streams through the barn’s hay room, well-oiled saddles and bridles hang in the tackroom, horses graze on crisp grass in the pasture, and riders arrive with apple treats in their pockets for their four-legged friends. Equestrian has a cozy drydown with good lasting power and soft sillage.”
I haven’t bought anything since Laurie sold it. Does anyone have any recent experience with the company?
The high today is supposedly 78F but I don’t believe it. Im currently only smelling the random Nozin ampule I found in my scrub pocket this morning. No point in wasting it! Lots of fresh orange peel. 🍊
I have, just once. I am almost positive she gypped me one travel spray of a perfume and when I inquired about it, she was snippy-maxxxing (before “maxxxing” became a thing so waaaay waaaay back) and that was it.
Ohhh.😯
I knew someone here had a poor experience. I remember it now.
It’s been a while since I have bought anything from SSS. I did get a couple of things after Laurie handed the reins over and did not have any issues.
Same for me. Easy, normal transaction.
I have a few favorite transition scents. Nicolai New York, Chanel Egoiste, Seville l’Aube, most musks are good this time of year.
Yesterday I wore Bronze Goddess for Labor Day, it was my most worn scent of the summer. Today I’m going with Hove Perfumery Fascinator, chypres are always good transitioners, too.
I also wore BG a ton this summer, depleted my bottle to just below the half full mark.
It’s back to work today and I am wearing Infusion d’iris today. I am hoping it is quiet at work today.
Hope you did have that quiet day at work you were hoping for.
I’m in Shalimar MI today for the official first day of fall (i.e., back to school day, when my house empties out for the first time in months). Of course, “school” for the teen is only 1.5 hours today. (sigh)
That’s a crazy short day!
1.5 hours? I would say don’t even bother!
That’s ridiculous!!
I’m wearing Gucci by Gucci ( brown square bottle)
Today is supposed to be the hottest day of the week at 82 degrees. There’s not much going on here, thankfully.
Oh.. I got an email about some sales happening over at Dame Perfumery.
I don’t even get the emails anymore …
I don’t either. I used to buy a lot of his fragrances but haven’t for a long time. A lot have been discontinued.
There have been a LOT of emails recently about sales at Dame Perfumery. I am thinking that if there is something you love by them, better get it now before it disappears.
Also a bunch of the gourmand perfumes were discontinued.
I am eyeing a 50mL bottle of BFMV.
Smelling amazing in old Jasmin de Nuit. 🥰 I bought a travel recharge bottle…like in the link below…about 10 years ago from EvilBay and the seller called it vintage at the time.
I am guessing it’s pushing 15 years old and it’s truly divine. Gorgeous floral amber from Céline Ellena…leagues apart from the hundreds of new releases the poser niche houses will churn out this year.
When I was young, I knew I’d complain about stuff when I was old (maybe semi-old 😉 ) I just didn’t know it would be about fragrance! And I now I know. ehaeheh 😆
https://www.parfumo.com/Users/Boszka79/PerfumePicture/38429
I started re-watching perfume videos that are 10 year’s or older. ” poser niche” is all anyone talks about. That, and the middle eastern brands. It’s just boring.
Jasmin de Nuit — so beautiful. I think I gave my old bottle away. (Why???) Enjoy!
I did a very brief sniffing at Nordstrom the other day after a doctor appointment. They have quite a few niche houses (or are they niche? originally, I guess they were) now, and I hated everything. Lots of ambroxan, loud amber-woods, etc.
If you used “poseur”, I would have understood better. 🤣
🤣🤣🤣
I just found a backup bottle of this today, need to wear it again.
Popping by to say that I’m wearing Armani Privé Encens Satin.
Smelling fabulous!
I’m testing two 1980s men’s fougeres (are there women’s fougeres?) and liking them both. Krizia Uomo is all pine needles, citrus, oakmoss, galbanum, leather, tarragon, & other green herbs. The opening is especially bracing and almost acrid, a punch in the snout, but I like it.
Alain Delon Iquitos is a softer fougere, with roses, jasmine, leather, honey, patchouli, sandalwood and Indian spices like cardamom. A little lightened by a lovely orange note.
I suspect that neither of them contains Iso E Super (when did that come out anyway?) or ambroxan or any screechy amber woods.
I’m with springpansy in lamenting current trends.
Oh, just looked up Iso E Super. It was invented in the 1960s but the big breakthrough came in 1988 when it was used in buckets for Dior’s Fahrenheit. I have never discerned it in that scent, there was so much else going on. Maybe its use was generally more subtle in decades past. Here’s a deep dive into the history of Iso E Super:
https://www.fragrantica.com/news/The-History-of-Iso-E-Super-in-Perfumery-7729.html
It wouldn’t be so bad, if they would just not be so heavy handed.
Never heard of the second fougere that you mentioned.
Not sure if you saw my response to your comment a few days back.. the one about your reading of the Betrothed-but we are both reading this book at the same time.
I have a little bit of Dzing! left in an old bottle. I wear it sparingly, yet I do make myself wear it–what’s the point of “saving” it? Despite it being a sunny warm day — I generally prefer it on colder days — I still think it works for the transitional fragrances poll. I just had to spritz today. I really love it and to my mind, there is nothing else like it.
A perfect day for Dzing! ☀️🍁 Wear it with abandon!
I started the day inMM Romanza (what says transitioning from Summer to Fall like indolic orange blossom aka dying flowers?)
Because that’s too much, even for me to wear to work, I transitioned to another transitional fragrance, DSH Muresque, a beautiful blackberry chypre.
Romanza! I need to wear that tomorrow. Great choice.
Hi Tomorrow Twin!
Ch-ch-changes! Turn and spray the changes! (With apologies to David Bowie, natch.)
🎶🌸🎶🍁
A little warmer than yesterday but still quite nice, definitely still feels like summer. So does my SOTD, LMDLV Vanille Fleurie de Tahiti. Still tropical but transitional in the sense that it hints to my cool weather love of sugary gourmands with a sweet kiss of fruity amber. 😘
A soothing Mindful Movement program at my library + an extra-long volunteer afternoon shift there occupied most of my day. And, once again, restocking the resale shelves led to several more items that just ‘had’ to come home with me. A large like-new hardback copy of Slow Cooker Favorites plus a 4-CD compendium of 60 of the biggest folk hits from the late 50’s and early 60’s by the original artists. All these cost me a total of $2. So I ‘had’ to bring them home, right?
Hope you’re having a wonderful ‘transitional’ day! 🍁🌿
I haven’t been able to wear transitional fragrances around here as it is still too warm and horribly humid. I did wear No 5 L’Eau today that really can be worn anytime.
Always perfect.
Smelling great today!
Wearing lots of Profumum Vanitas, after re-finding my misplaced bottle. 😁🎉
Yay for unearthing your “missing” bottle!
While sniffing at some of my neglected perfume bottles the other day, I came across a perfect transitional scent for September in Colorado. Dior Dune.
I haven’t been wearing perfume lately though. Just haven’t been in the right headspace for it. I’m sure I will resume wearing it again sometime later on.
I just saw that Dior was going to reformulate Dune.
um, what?!😱
whaaa
Interesting, your comment on Dune as a transitional scent. Dune is a huge fave of mine and I also see it as a transitional scent, but one that transitions from winter to spring, starting in March.😀
Thinking of you Robin!
Still in my summer chypre
https://youtu.be/q7YhRTp_9c8?si=udgQ8yO_yApdevR2
Here’s a short video about how Dior is going to reformulate their classics.
Thank you so much for posting this. Dune is one of my top favorites and I’m glad I have a BUB. ‘Closely mirrored?’ Whatever that means. And ‘it’s all about making money.’ Isn’t that what so much of the world is about these days?👎
Wearing MM Romanza today, thanks to allo’s reminder. It smells like a powdery chypre on me.