As the age-old adage goes: The more things change, the more they stay the same. At least that's the case in the perfume world. If you were one of the many who spritzed themselves silly with Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers, CK One, or Tommy Girl, chances are you're still searching for a fragrance that falls in line with what initially attracted you to those bottles.
And while perfume trends have become decidedly more sophisticated as of late, a lot of the mists that are rolling out for fall share similarities with our favorite notes of yesteryear. So, ahead, we've offered up a little test. We've paired new-to-market fragrances with the throwback scents they're most similar to, making it easy (and fun) to find a spritz you'll love.
Whether you're drawn to the fruity florals of Clinique Happy, or a sexy scent like Jean Paul Gaultier Classique, you'll find a new fragrance steeped in the same feeling ahead. Now, all you have to do is take a look back.
If you loved Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers...
You'll love Vilhelm Parfumerie Modest Mimosa.
Sunflowers was a fruity, floral, lightweight scent — and that's exactly what's happening in Vilhelm Parfumerie's Modest Mimosa. Instead of melon and peach, however, it features a basenote of carrot, which may seem odd, but makes for a wonderfully-fresh scent. Mimosa and violet round out the floral middle notes, which pack a serious punch. But instead of being too sweet, Modest Mimosa is bright and airy.
Vilhelm Parfumerie Modest Mimosa, $245, available at Barney's New York.
If you loved Gap Heaven...
You'll love Chanel No. 5 L'Eau.
It's definitely a big step away from the Gap, but Chanel No. 5 L'Eau — a lighter version of Chanel's iconic fragrance — isn't too far off from your first fragrance crush. With notes of lemon, mandarin, and orange mixed with rose, jasmine, and cottony musk, it's a watery floral that smells incredible on your wrists.
Chanel No. 5 L'Eau, $132, available at Chanel.
If you loved Angel by Theirry Mugler...
You'll love Charlotte Tilbury Scent of a Dream
Angel was a heady mix of a wide range of notes — from honey to red berries to caramel to chocolate. Tilbury's mix is just as varied, and comes together to create an insanely addictive scent. With 26 notes of lemon, peach, black pepper, jasmine, rose oil, magnolia, amber, musk and more, the bottle contains a fragrance so varied and sensual that it will surely smell different on everyone.
Charlotte Tilbury Scent of a Dream, $130, available at Charlotte Tilbury.
If you loved Tommy Girl...
You'll love Loewe 001 Woman.
Tommy Girl was a fresh, energetic scent, with notes of mandarin, rose, tangerine, and violets. Loewe's fragrance is similar — with notes of bergamont, tangerine, and jasmine. But bottom notes of cedar and musk ground this scent, making it more adult and robust.
Loewe 001 Woman, $123, available at Loewe.
If you loved Exclamation...
You'll love Bottega Veneta Eau Sensuelle.
Peach, apricot, and sandalwood were the main notes in Exclamation, making it a fruity, clean standout scent among the rich fragrances of the '00s. Eau Sensuelle is equally fruity — but has a floral tinge. Peach is also the main note, but jasmine and gardenia mingle to create a sophisticated fragrance.
Bottega Veneta Eau Sensuelle, $155, available at Neiman Marcus.
If you loved Jean Paul Gaultier Classique...
You'll love Elizabeth & James Nirvana Rose.
A special part of Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique scent was its iconic bottle — something it has in common with Nirvana Rose. But Classique and Nirvana also share a very strong rose top note, while their base notes (woody amber and vetiver, respectively) are earthy and green.
Elizabeth & James Nirvana Rose, $85, available at Sephora.
If you love Lancôme Poême...
You'll love Maison Margiela Replica Flying.
Poême was a sweet, floral scent — the vanilla and lychee are standout notes which deepen the jasmine, poppy, and mimosa. But it also contains orange blossom, which gives it a fruity spike. Flying also relies on citrus, with orange flower and bergamot. But the almond flower and neroli act similarly to the vanilla and lychee — making this scent less about the fruit and more about the crispness of the perfume.
Maison Margiela Replica Flying, $180, available for pre-order at Barney's New York.
If you loved CK One...
You'll love Penhaligon's Duchess Rose.
Has there ever been a perfume more iconic than CK One? Notes of bergamot, cardamom, jasmine, rose, and musk made for an insanely wearable fragrance that had bottles flying off the shelves in just about every store. Duchess Rose's notes are almost exactly the same as CK One's — there are just fewer. Mandarin, rose, and musky wood are the standouts, making this a stripped-down, minimalist's version of good old CK One.
Penhaligon''s Duchess Rose, $235, available in October at Penhaligon's.
If you loved Clinique Happy...
You'll love Tom Ford Vert Bohème.
If you loved Clinique Happy, you loved one of the fruitiest scents available in the early '00s. But there were also very apparent floral notes: both mimosa and Hawaiian wedding flower played starring roles. Today you'll absolutely love Tom Ford Vert Bohème. With notes of mandarin, magnolia, and gustavia flower, it's bright, fresh, and totally modern.
Tom Ford Vert Bohème, $225, available at Sephora.
If you loved Paul Sebastian Design...
You'll love Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria
Paul Sebastian's Design was floral, but also soft and powdery. One sniff of Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria and you may have flashbacks. Notes of rose and musk are mixed with cascalone, a synthetic scent that has a watery feeling — making it almost a dead ringer for Design.
Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria, $54, available at Sephora.
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