It sounds like a problem for everyone who enjoys collecting old perfumes that due to the formula change, the criteria were changed due to some materials in the perfumes, most old perfumes do not smell like the original ones the first time they were born. For example, No 5 by Chanel was launched in 1921, now, there are already many different types of No.5 on the market. Such as EDT, EDP and the No 5 L’Eau Eau De Toilette and so on. It is almost impossible to find the same kind of No.5 on the modern market which smells 100% like the original formula. For the perfume collectors who enjoy getting vintage perfumes like me, this could be such a huge pity for us. According to what other players say, “No.5 EDT” is one of the types that is most similar to the original No.5 100 years ago. But the truth is, although some of the modern types smell quite similar to what is matching with the stereotypes that people usually think about “vintage perfumes”: which smell not sweet and fruity, but strong and use Aldehyde aroma. Still, perfume companies also need to meet the requirements such as don’t use tree moss and oak moss due to they may make people allergic to them. It is such a pity that plenty of great old perfumes die or smell different because of that. But as modern customers, should we take responsibility for those old perfumes that have changed their taste because of the revision?
Chanel No.5 is a classic perfume that has a floral-aldehydic scent. It is composed of a complex blend of ingredients, such as aldehydes, ylang-ylang, neroli, bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, orris root, lily of the valley, civet, sandalwood, amber, musk, moss, vetiver, vanilla, and patchouli. The aldehydes give the perfume a clean and crisp smell, while the florals add sweetness and elegance. The woody notes provide warmth and depth to the fragrance.
The exact formula of Chanel No.5 is a closely guarded secret, and it may have changed over the years due to various factors, such as the availability of ingredients, regulations, and consumer preferences. However, the essence of the perfume remains the same, as it reflects Coco Chanel’s vision of a perfume that smells like a woman, not a flower bed. Chanel No.5 is an iconic fragrance that has been worn by many celebrities and admired by millions of people around the world.
Well, the answer is: it should depend on different perfume companies themselves. Like what did I mention before, although Chanel No.5 may not smell the same as the original one, and the Chanel company created some “so-called” to match the aesthetic of the modern public, we can still feel the clear shadow of the earliest No.5 . For example, Chanel is still producing the pure parfum of No.5 and it is easy for people to find in the shopping malls. Although, indeed, the formula cannot be the same as 100 years ago, customers can still feel the sincerity of Chanel and their attention to this legendary perfume. However, there are not too many young people who enjoy wearing or smelling it because they may feel that is too old for them. I have already used Chanel No.5 EDT since I was 18 and I am still wearing her now, very clean, and easy to wear.
Pour Monsieur by Chanel is a men’s fragrance that was launched in 1955 and has a citrusy and woody scent. It has top notes of mandarin orange, lavender, and petitgrain, middle notes of cardamom, nutmeg, and vetiver, and base notes of oakmoss, labdanum, and cedar1. The perfume is said to be elegant, refined, and timeless, reflecting the style and personality of Coco Chanel’s lover, Boy Capel.
The perfume has undergone some changes over the years, due to various reasons, such as availability of ingredients, regulations, and consumer preferences. In 1989, Chanel released a more concentrated version of Pour Monsieur, called Pour Monsieur Concentrée, which has a stronger and spicier scent, with added notes of ginger, coriander, and basil. In 2016, Chanel introduced a new version of Pour Monsieur, called Pour Monsieur Eau de Parfum, which has a more modern and gourmand scent, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and honey. However, the original Pour Monsieur Eau de Toilette is still available and remains a classic and iconic fragrance for men.
The formula of perfume can change significantly not only within a century but also within 20 to 40 years. I used to have two bottles of Pour Monsieur by Chanel, the bigger one is the original one which is at least made earlier than the 1970s, and another one, I suppose was produced during the 1980s – 1990s. The difference between them, the first one is the original Pour Monsieur added more oak moss, which smells more elegant, gentle, and clean. Another one is adding more lemon and reducing the volume of oak moss, so it smells a bit more stimulated and less gentle. This example shows us that we even do not need to wait until some old perfumes have already stopped production, like my two bottles of Pour Monsieur, when they were created, oak moss was still the common ingredient for perfumers to use on the market. So, this may show again the importance of keeping old perfumes and how precious they are. Because you will never know when, and maybe one day they will stop producing too, and more and more vintage perfume collectors will gonna know how precious they are and their prices will increase dramatically.