Would You Wear Expensive Perfume?

Oct 12, 2007 @ 10:05am

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There's dueling articles on scent today, and they're all about what you want.

WWD reports on Madonna's upcoming fragrance. Although they're careful to report it's not finalized yet, they still give five pages over to the concept of Desperately Smelling Susan - and the company behind the product, Live Nation, is convinced it'll be the biggest fragrance launch ever.

Meanwhile, The International Herald Tribune asserts, "Perfume Industry to Regain Prestige." They peg their article on Coty, the brand in charge of Chloe, Marc, and Calvin scents, and insist that perfume's about to regain its exclusivity, and its high price point. What's interesting is the new Chloe fragrance is somewhat of a celebrity endeavor, too, with Chloe Sevigny serving as its face (and, we guess, it's nose).

But all of this exploration really goes back to you.

Do you think an expensive perfume is as necessary to style as a signature handbag?

Or would you rather just smell like Gwen, Britney, or even Madonna?

posted by elle

Oct 12, 2007 10:32AM

i think the answer to that question is all matter of one's personal style - do you want to look like everyone else, or do you want to stand out of the crowd?
the answer to this question will be a major factor in deciding on how much you're willing to spend on a fragrance...

posted by Shanna

Oct 12, 2007 12:13PM

I don't think perfume is anywhere near as necessary as a handbag.

Also, most people really can't tell you the brand of perfume youre wearing just by smelling it off you. They can only tell if you smell bad or good.

And smelling good doesn't have to cost $80 a bottle! I love bath and body works body splashes. I'm wearing the mango one right now.

posted by Leslie

Oct 12, 2007 2:00PM

How expensive? I only wear Chanel perfumes, and I think they're quite affordably priced; you can buy a bottle of eau de toilette for $50. I don't think $100+ per bottle is too much to spend for a true perfume made with quality, expensive ingredients.

posted by Leslie

Oct 12, 2007 2:05PM

I wanted to add that I wouldn't spend that much on a bottle of a celebrity fragrance, no matter what.

And, in response to Shanna's comment, I think *a lot* of people can identify perfumes: If you're wearing something from Victoria's Secret, it's totally obvious, just as it is if someone's wearing a more refined scent, like Fracas or Black Orchid.

posted by Pink Tartan

Oct 12, 2007 4:38PM

With perfumes, many times you get what you pay for. Expensive scents generally use true plant and flower essences that are more pricey to extract and therefore produce.
Cheap ones always give me a migraine.
You can never go wrong with Chanel- Coco and Mademoiselle,
Angel (it smells like chocolate) and Stella McCartney's has a glorious rose essence (not the old lady rose scent).
It's fabulous!

posted by Olivia

Oct 12, 2007 7:20PM

I agree that it is easy to recognise scents... Perfume from mall brands smell different (and I think they can sometimes smell too strong, and I agree with Pink Tartan that they sometimes triger head aches) than the more expensive ones.

I also think that celebrity perfumes tend to be tacky and smell rather cheap.

I've been wearing J'adore by Dior for years, and I don't get too many compliments, but I love the scent, so I shall keep buying it.

posted by Katie

Oct 13, 2007 12:04AM

i'm confused. aren't some "celebrity" scents, ie gwen stefani, s.j. parker at a similar price point to many designer perfumes? like, all somewhere between $60 to $90 for a decent sized bottle. so, what are we talking about here when we say "expensive?"

ps- i just have to say- chanel doesn't smell nice on me and it is so TERRIBLE!! i love it and i can't wear it. so sad.

posted by Casey

Oct 13, 2007 1:23AM

I get loads of compliments when I wear Burberry and I got it at Loehmann's. That's totally the way to go... or just wear samples :)

There is totally something to having a unique signature scent, no matter the cost. (The VS/mall crap is gross though.)

posted by Mala

Oct 13, 2007 4:14AM

I'd rather people all just smelled clean and fresh. Perfume hates my sinuses.

posted by I don't just like you. I like you, like you.

Oct 13, 2007 10:46AM

i used to wear Chanel Mademoiselle until i was in the bathroom and this girl was like "are you wearing Mademoiselle. i wear it, my friend wears it too" i guess i was supposed flattered by that but i was just like, eww. scent it so personal.

also, little story, i bought some perfume oil from a guy on the street (lmao) and my boyfriend looooved it. he was like you smell so good what is that...i wouldnt tell him what it was. or that it was only $5

posted by Brendastarlet

Oct 13, 2007 5:06PM

I don't think it has to be expensive...but it has to smell real, not chemically. So many scents are synthetic, and it's easy to tell the difference once you know what real perfume smells like.

I rotate scents depending on the time of year but my current favorites are Chanel Cuir de Russie, Aqua di Parma, Fracas and lately, Prada. I paid real money for the first two and got the second two at Loehmann's.