by

Saturday Question: What Chanel Perfume Would You Wear Today?

Following great tradition started by two wonderful bloggers, Birgit (Olfactoria’s Travels) and Portia (Australian Perfume Junkies), once a week I or one of the guest writers will keep the lights on in this virtual leaving room, but I hope that you, my friends and readers, will engage in conversation not only with me or the other host, but also with each other.

 

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

 

Saturday Question #12:

What Chanel Perfume Would You Wear Today?

You have probably seen more than once what usually happens when anybody poses a question that requires people to make a choice. Ask perfumistas to name their top N of something or choose X perfumes to take to the afterlife, and everybody gets really creative trying to sneak in a couple of extra names in a manner Oscar winners “smallprint” everybody they need to thank for their winning – as if not mentioning one of the favorites will anger the Gods of Perfumeland.

So, I decided to try to do it differently. I’m not asking you to choose your absolute favorite, name the “best of” or subscribe to wearing it till death do you part. But if you were asked to choose Chanel perfume that speaks to you the most to wear today (tomorrow it might be something else), what would it be? Just one name (and, if you wish, why you made that choice).

My Answer

Chanel No 19 EdT. It was the first Chanel perfume that I fell in love with. For years I kept trying No 5 hoping to “get” it, but it never worked (and still doesn’t). Somehow that prevented me from trying any other classic Chanel perfumes, and Chance, which I tried, was just awful. And then one day, being in a good mood after a day trip to the wine country, on the way back home we stopped by Nordstrom, and a very nice SAs made me a couple of samples of different Chanel perfumes (it was long before Nordstrom introduced the DIY sampling program).

That was a turning point for me. I loved No 19 EdT! Since then added both EdT and extrait to my collection. I tried vintage EdT (nice, but I’m fine with the one I got 9 years ago). I have a small decant of the modern EdP (hajusuuri, thank you), which I like and enjoy wearing. I even bought No 19 Poudré when it was first released. Unsniffed. But No 19 EdT is still my favorite Chanel – and I’m wearing it today.

 

Rusty and Chanel 19 EdT

 

What Chanel Perfume Would You Wear Today?

 

Disclaimer: this blog doesn’t use any affiliated links or benefit from any of the G-d awful ads that some of you might see inserted tastelessly by the WP engine inside the post and/or between comments. Encouraging readers to post more comments does not serve any purpose other then getting pleasure from communicating with people who share same interests.

89 thoughts on “Saturday Question: What Chanel Perfume Would You Wear Today?”

  1. I agree with you on No 19, love it!, and Chance, why? what is it? But you said today, and today, even though I am in the Southern Hemisphere and it’s getting colder, my head is firmly in the Northern Hemisphere and spring is coming. So my Chanel of choice would be Cristalle. I find it very refreshing and effervescent in the warming weather.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Christalle was one of perfumes that I got to sampling late, so while I liked it, I never got to buying a bottle – and now I’m concerned that it might have been reformulated a couple of times since I tried it last, so more testing would be required if I decide to go back to it.

      Like

      Reply

  2. That’s a very nice way of putting it! I would choose sycamore. Now, with Chanel it’s pretty easy for me, as Chenille perfumes aren’t really my favourites. I would have liked to own 31 Rue Cambon, but never got around to getting it, and the only other Chanel I own is Cuir de Russie which I love too. But for today; sycamore.
    It’s green and foresty feel, together with the sensation of something burnt. A tough softie…

    Like

    Reply

  5. Hi Undina and crew,
    WOW! Hard.
    I’m going to pick BOY. I know it’s not the best or most entrancing of CHANEL’s range, in fact it’s no statement fragrance at all. It is the CHANEL bottle I reach for most though. By far. There’s something about its low key loveliness that wears comfortably and confidently without any need for fanfare or show. The lavender, citrus, powdery woods and soft musks work effortlessly for me. I think I’ve used close to 100ml in the three or four years it’s been in my collection, that’s a lot. It’s up there with Shalimar, Granville, Mohur and Liberté as my most worn perfumes.
    Portia xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I will revisit Boy at some point. It was fine, I think, but I disliked the name :) I know that it’s a last name but I thought that Chanel could do better when it comes to naming perfumes: 9 out of 10 potential customers will have no idea what it is all about. And on its own it’s a wrong name for either a woman or a man who would be a target audience of the line.
      But I’m glad that it works for you, because when perfume fits, who cares what its name is?! :)

      Like

      Reply

  6. That’s a big question indeed, especially when I am taking a break from cleaning the bathroom. So while Chanel No 19 was my initial choice before I read your post, I think a need a big dose of glamour right now. Coco EDP would be my choice. Adorable pic of Rusty looking very proud of your choice.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Chanel No.19 EdT without hesitation. It is beautiful, versatile, perfect on any season and ocassion. My favorite Chanel and #1 perfume has always been Chanel 28 La Pausa EdT, but No. 19 needs, has, must be always in my collection. Love it!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • You and I have many perfume preferences in common. I should pay more attention to your SOTD comments on NST to update my “to try” list with those that you like and I haven’t tried yet :)

      Like

      Reply

  9. Fun question. I’d go with Chanel No. 19 Parfum today. I usually wear a lot of the edt in spring but if asked which formulation I prefer I’d go with the Parfum. The galbanum is that much more smooth. I didn’t gravitate towards No. 19 for the longest time because my mother wore it but now it feels like mine and I adore it this time of year.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Since I thought about this week’s question for a couple of days, the day before yesterday (“yesterday” relative to when I posted) I wore N 19 extrait. I love it, but I realized that I craved the EdT – hence my answer :). But they both are beautiful.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • We’ll do Guerlain question soon :) But thank you for playing today.
      I have to ask though! You do not like Coco, Coromandel, Cuir de Russie? Based on those perfumes that both you and I like, I would expect you to like these…

      Like

      Reply

  11. I’m going to wear Paris-Deauville today. Wore it yesterday for the first time since last fall and loved it. I have a handful of other Chanel decants and a small bottle of No 5 which I keep around for sentimental reasons. Paris-Deauville is the first Chanel bottle I have bought in years.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. For me Chanel Chance Eau Vive! Dries down to a clean, musky and peppery vetiver scent on me. Warm, fresh!!! Delightful on my pillow at night, too!!!

    Like

    Reply

    • Since the original Chance and at least one flanker didn’t work for me, I stopped even following further releases of these. But I’m glad it found its fan. Thank you for chiming in!

      Like

      Reply

  13. Good question! I had to think a bit before formulating my response. My favourite hasn’t been mentioned yet-it’s the Chanel Eau de Cologne. I love this stuff, and I’ve bought it repeatedly over the years. I buy the huge 200 ml bottle. Normally I try to not get my fragrance on my clothes or in my hair but for this I make an exception and make sure to spray my hair. It’s so clean and fresh, and it never aggravates me, never clashes with my day (you know when you spray a heavy hitter, then have the day from hell, so by the end of it even your perfume has to go lol). I bought the body oil too, which is a really nice product. I think they need to adjust the packaging on that one-you have to free pour into the palm of your hand, and then if you want more product your hands are slippery and it’s a big chunky glass bottle-recipe for a disaster.

    I like all the choices that have been mentioned. It’s nice that this line is so varied there’s something for everyone. A very elegant woman I know wears 19, another elegant woman I know wears Coromandel. Maybe every person who wears Chanel gets the adjective elegant added to their personality, in my world :)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I agree — almost every Chanel fragrance conveys elegance of some kind, although I don’t recall ever trying any of the Chance line. I mean, if I’m standing in front of testers at a Chanel counter, I’m going with one of the classics or even better, one of the Exclusifs!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    • It’s an interesting observation! I realized that when I think of Chanel perfumes, the adjective “elegant” is the first that comes to mind (which I can’t say about their clothes, for example).
      I must have tried Eau du Cologne at some point. But my issue with it would be the name: it’s too non-descriptive for my liking. I mean, should I loved it, I wouldn’t have cared, but because the name didn’t appeal to me, I didn’t pay enough attention to it to even form an opinion. I’ll try it again if I get a chance.

      Like

      Reply

  14. What a great question! I would wear Chanel No. 22 today. I love love love it always; but today it would really work because our weather is warm and sunny, but not too hot; and many of the flower notes of No. 22 bloom in May here. I’ll have to spritz it once the Roses Musk fades out a bit (that was my SOTD this morning so I could write about it in my blog’s Roses de Mai Marathon, and given its usual longevity on my skin, No. 22 may be waiting for a while!). I also love No. 19 and have doubts about No. 5, as much as I appreciate its artistry.

    Like

    Reply

    • I think, a have a sample of N 22 – so, I’ll wear it next week. I associate it with a dear friend who passed away last year, so I’m a little hesitant to smell it again. But it was beautiful on her, so I should do it – thank you for a reminder.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. I do love Chanel. Love #5 and Coromandel and Sycamore and Coco and I have a feeling I would really love les Eaux but I haven’t had the chance to smell them yet. Today though would but my love Bel Respiro EDT. Only about 10 mls left sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Vintage Chanel No.5 edt. I had a bottle passed on to me in high school by a friend who was gifted it and didn’t like it.This was before she became a name brand fanatic. :) I thought it was OK. Many years later, I decided to revisit it. I remembered the smell instantly and this time thought it was great! The few other Chanels that I have tried are nice but no “I want it”.

    Like

    Reply

      • No. The current version is very close to the original but there is something about it that I don’t like. I have no idea what it is but it’s almost “annoying” – and that sounds silly even to me. The fun memory I have about the first bottle is that I was surprised at how cold it felt. Much later, I realized why. :)

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  20. Funny you should ask as I felt like Chanel today as soon as I woke up.
    I was really wanting Boy but my sample is all gone so settled for Cristalle which is fantastic anyways.

    Like

    Reply

  21. I have so few Chanels, and so I will name one I find perffect for a rather cold spring day: Chanel Christalle Eau Verte. However, I don’t own a bottle, so am in fact wearing someting totally different this evening, Dior Grand Bal. I am rather sure I would find Paris-Deauville very good, but don’t know if I can find anywhere to test it locally, here’s no Chanel boutique. Fun fact: Some of the luxury brands have been among those receiving crisis money from the Norwegian government during the partial lockdown (brands like Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and a a company marketing Gucci, Balenciaga and more).

    Like

    Reply

    • It is an interesting fact. Though, I think, those money are meant to support those people who work for the companies: I’m sure that those luxury brands that sell handkerchieves for a three-digit price wouldn’t hesitate to lay off people without support from government.

      Do you have Chanel counters in any department stores? The Eaux line isn’t a boutique line, here it’s available with the regular classic perfumes in stores that don’t carry Exclusifs.

      Like

      Reply

  22. As a pre – teen and teen I wore Cristalle, No 22, 5 and 19 in the late 70s and early 80s. When Coco was first released I wore that as well. 40 years ago they were NOT exclusive and were highly affordable. I would gladly wear any of these vintage beauties today.

    Like

    Reply

  23. I agree that Chance is awful. I think all the Chance’s are just weirdly awful and the name makes me cringe.

    It’s a very bright, sunny autumn day. I’m going with my Biarritz sample which has been calling to me.. I no longer remember what it smells like so this will be a happy surprise. It’s good Chanel weather :)

    Like

    Reply

    • I can’t even claim that Chance is “too young” for me because I didn’t like if from the start, when I was much younger (well, unless back then Chanel aimed it at teenagers, which I doubt ;) ). Anyway, judging by the fact that Fragrantica’s article about it can be found closer to the bottom of the first page search results in Google (after the numerous sites that sell it), Chanel is doing just fine without your and my support for this perfume ;)

      Like

      Reply

  26. Well this is Sunday, so yesterday I would have worn No 19 Poudré. Even though I didn’t 😉 I only have a few from the Chanel line, my favourite being Coco. I don’t have much access to Chanel locally, so it’s usually a sniffing sesh in duty free, or department stores in bigger towns. My friend wears Chance au Tendre as her signature and it smells amazing on her.

    Like

    Reply

  27. I love so many Chanels, No. 19 Poudre, Jersey, 1932, Deauville, No. 5 L’eau. Today I’m choosing my Chanel 1957 small decant to wear. I wasn’t a fan when I first tried it, but it grew on me. It has a nice development. And it’s great for warm weather, helps it bloom.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I need to revisit 1957: I dismissed it after smelling briefly a year ago while in Las Vegas, wasn’t impressed – and never got a chance to try it again. Knowing that many of my perfumista friends liked it, I want to try it again (But I’m not buying a sample! So I’ll have to wait to get to a store. Eventually.)

      Like

      Reply

  28. I’m coming back for a second dip in the CHANEL pot today Undina,
    I’d like to wear Coco EdP. It so rarely gets a wear around here because it’s this ridiculously huge 200ml splash bottle and I’m always terrified I’ll drop it.
    It’s late afternoon in Sydney and the temperature just dropped about 15 degrees celsius. I needed some va va voom and cozy.
    Coco EdP hits the spot perfectly.
    Portia xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • 200 ml?! (Faints) I didn’t know it existed in that format. You should buy a cute travel spray and decant it in there (that’s what I do with many of my full bottles – not to hunt for them in the back rows of my packed perfume shelves.

      Like

      Reply

What's on your mind? (I encourage posting relating links to your posts)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.