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na3ik – :
I remember smelling this fragrance when I was a young girl in the late 70’s-early eighties as it was my mom’s signature fragrance. I thought it smelled as an old woman, but as I matured, so did my appreciation in this perfume. I was disappointed when I bought my first Chanel No.5 at Macys, as it smelled nothing as I remembered. I am so fortunate to learn that eBay actually had these vintage colognes in abundance because once I bought it and sniffed for the first time, I was immediately taken back into time. I really wish the old classics weren’t reformulated. Why fix it if ain’t broken?
goga2003 – :
For EDC this has great staying power. This wear pretty light on me yet still has noticeable soft silage. This is beautiful!! I love it so much!!
Edit: This is one of my signature scents along side Beautiful edp!!!
Besides Beautiful, this is the best scent ever made!!!
ArtNika2011 – :
The brightest of aldehydes and the smoothest of florals grounded by a warm, woody base. My favorite No.5 concentration.
I find No.5 edp a bit too dusty but I thoroughly enjoy the edt, whether current or vintage formulation. If you have no access to on-line discounters I’d recommend edt over edp a thousand times over.
BUT, if you DO have access to individual on-line sellers via ebay, the cologne version is the one I’d tell everyone to purchase. It’s the version I first wore as a teenager and the version I’ve repurchased over the years that sets my heart to going pitty-pat with excitement and pleasure. My latest 2oz splash purchase of nearly 10 years ago was down to the last drops when I bid on a barely used 4oz bottle last week. Much to my surprise I won that bottle for just over $35.00 USD with shipping included! It arrived today and I’m in Chanel heaven!
No.5 cologne is warm, comforting and sexy in a “Come here for a hug before we get down to business” inviting way unmatched by many current bolder “Hey, I’m naked!” fragrances. No.5 cologne is classy sexy. Need I say more?
Edit: I just received a note from the seller that says: “Enjoy your trip to the past! Back in the day at my high school, No.5 cologne was the choice of girls with MONEY!”
nicky8888 – :
I just boought this off someone the other day and it was a real surprise to smell the Eau de Cologne. I also got the vintage EDT as well. Now what makes this difficult is that I am not sure if the aging of the perfume has affected the scent. It doesn’t smell ‘off’ and needless to say Chanel perfumes don’t really ever go off being the quality they are. I can really only review what I have here but noting that what I smell differs from what I see a lot here and also that I have a vintage edt for comparison. The EDT is my favorite of the two. It smells quite similar really to the bottle I have though that’s a few years old but it is good to know that the EDT or EDP I buy today hasn’t changed a lot. The cologne I find to be of good quality but it is to my nose strong with the civet being the prominent note alongside the aldehydes. It is actually quite masculine compared to the EDT or EDP. I would say if you love civet then this is for you. Perhaps a good number 5 for men I’m not sure.. but it certainly has a ‘cologne’ feel to it. I don’t know how else to describe this really. I like having it in my collection as Chanel No 5 is my favorite perfume and I have grown more and more of an appreciation for what is considered ‘older’ fragrances over time. I find it hard sometimes to describe when a classic is timeless and does smell like something previous generations wore but in a good way but also how to explain when a fragrance smells classic and though a well crafter perfume, one that I really can’t help feeling is a bit dated. I find it hard as it can be taken in the wrong way. There are many older fragrances that I feel are sadly overlooked as associated with being too old or ‘granny’ but are so beautiful on and to give some examples – Chanel 5 edt or edp, Estee Lauder Youth Dew, Estee Lauder Estee, Fleurs de Fleurs, YSL Paris. My recommendation is if you love civet then this is the No. 5 for you, if you like more of a Marilyn feel (like I do) I would select the edt or edp.
juliyaaa – :
Goodness, all that was quite a read. Lots of great well-written reviews. Still, I’m always amused and not a little irritated at alount of ageism in perfume (not just in these reviews here, but in many of them for many scents). Who knew? Maybe it was always part of being young, but if so I don’t recall it. All I know is, I’m glad there was no entire-world-sized room (aka – internet) of my peers back in the day, pressuring me to like this, hate that, and dictating that this was scent was “old” or that was “young”. To me, my frangrance likes or dislikes were just what I liked or disliked, without the need for value judgements or catagorizing perfumes by age. Doing so says exactly zero about the scent, and really just reveals the ignorance and prejudices of the writer.
But enough of that. I bought a bottle of Chanel No 5 EDC when I was 13 at a very odd discount center in my city – groceries, clothing, odds and ends, and perfumes. I had longed after it for quite a while, and I’m not sure how I came by the money, maybe my mom had pity on me. But it was a BIG DEAL. It cost a whole EIGHT DOLLARS. Big time. And it was my very first perfume. I was able to make it last until college, and I did use every last drop. Of course by then, my head was being turned by some other classics of the day – White Linen, Aliage, Obession, and a slew of others. And I never got another bottle of No 5 of any strength, for some reason. But it has always loomed large in my olfactory memory. Call it my first love.
Fast forward a bit, and I have recently found myself bored with the scent offerings at the usual places, like department stores, etc. I’ve found a few I like in recent years, but too many scents are utterly unmemorable. Not horrible, just…boring. And they just do NOT last. And No 5 in its current iteration – the eau de parfum, was not speaking to me. (The eau premier may get a second sniff though)
So the deep dive into the virtual perfume world has commenced for me. I’ve had great fun sampling and getting decants, and have already found some keepers. But I still wanted that No 5. So…tada! I finally scored a still-sealed bottle of vintage 60s-70s (probably early 70s) EDC on eBay. After cutting my finger on the foil (dang but they meant that thing to stay sealed!) I got a whiff of my youth. It was as lovely as I remember. I don’t have a huge or even large, perfume vocabulary yet, but I can certainly identify the blast of aldehydes at the open, but those I’ve always liked just fine. It settles down pretty quickly though, and just hums along with what I can identify as jasmine and orris, and the other stuff I have no ability to tease out, until it finally gently leaves with some faint vanilla and musk. It seems softer than I remember – maybe it’s just my nose at this point, or maybe it’s because we’re both older now, this bottle and I. But it lasts pretty well – say about 4-5 hours, and stays pretty close to the skin, probably due as much to having to dab rather than spray.
Overall, still a gorgeous elegant scent, great for any age. I’ll be wearing this bunches, so I’ll be on the lookout for another bottle.
Ruzz1976 – :
This is a review for late 1940s? eau de cologne. This version opened with bright crisp aldehydes: giving way to sweet, dry, ambery notes with a hint of musk. Why does this scent make me think of the holidays? It smells like desserts and yankee candles on me.
slaviksnory – :
This version of the iconic, legendary No.5 has been a staple of my mother’s fragrance wardrobe for as long as I can remember. We live in different states now, and I have a few bottles of this vintage EDC on order.
When my mother wears this, she smells like the embodiment of pure class, elegance, and femininity.
I’m hoping that my own chemistry will do it justice! If not, well, her wardrobe will grow by a few bottles then.
Edit:
I have this in hand now and am extremely glad that I’ve already got two more large bottles on the way. It’s absolutely fragrance perfection. This No.5, the EDC, I love to decant into a small spray atomizer for application and it just creates little clouds of scented Heaven when sprayed.
When a fragrance is legendary, it’s always with good reason. Chanel No.5 is exemplary of perfection in a bottle. A strong LOVE for me, scoring 10 of 10 in all regards, even longevity (and this one is an EDC!)
Викуличка – :
So many wonderful versions of No. 5 but I have to say other than the Pure Parfum, this one is my favorite. It can be a daunting process to find a well kept vintage. From my experience, if it has even the slightest “Nail Polish Remover” smell, it may have completely turned. Purchased quite a few over the years and most ended up smelling this way. Thought this was how it was meant to smell. On the turned ones, the main note was civet. You could almost detect No 5 but the Civet was so heavy in the drydown it would almost bring tears to my eyes. Recently, I purchased one that was properly stored and upon opening the bottle you could detect No 5 with almost no alcohol undertones. Upon applying, the aldehydes, amber, vanilla, orange blossom and Ylang-Ylang were present. Civet started to come through around the two hour mark but it was so light and pleasant. This wore on me for 8 hrs and sillage was moderate which in my book is perfect. Most fragrances disappear on me after two hours. If you are able to find a well preserved one, snag it up and try!
Gunlaker – :
I have the 1940s Chanel Eau De Cologne and it smells so freakin good!! I cant even begin to describe it other than fresh, elegant, sexy… you can definitely tell it was made during the great depression. It captures the era very well.
Потеряшка – :
When I wanted to experience Chanel No. 5 for the first time, I went for the EDP… and it was just “nice” (my review is there on the 1986 EDP page).
Now this vintage cologne. MUCH BETTER! I love vintage scents that smell OLD because to me… that is the best part. To put a vintage perfume on, sit back, and relax. Maybe I’m reading an old book or watching a Jean Harlow or Marilyn flick.
This does remind me of Chantilly, which I also have in vintage cologne.
I can’t explain this vintage No. 5…. it’s just… wonderful. And I agree the drydown is TO DIE FOR (soft sweet powder/vanilla) but I only get the drydown on my skin- and my skin eats perfume too quickly. However, as it is on skin/clothing… I get a vintage vibe… an aura of that era! It’s powdery, sharp, musky, floral, vintage-y, soapy…. it’s just divine. Well blended because I can’t pick out one note… I just know I love it. It’s one of my favorite comfort scents.
PornoKingMaster – :
The splash cologne in bottle that look like alcohol is a gift from my father in Russia. Chanel 5 is so beautiful. It is strong perfume. I smell like I put on a lot of soap or I am in bath tub with rose petals. There are white flower of orange blossom, jasmine and lily. Very romantic. When this perfume is dry it smell like leather handbag. Smell like musk. For women who are elegant and confident. I love this perfume. I think it is for evening wear and for romantic dates. Wearing it tomorrow with my husband for dinner. This perfume is magic and is popular since a long time. Chanel No 5 is the perfume of all perfume. Thank you Chanel.
pisikutza – :
I won a small bottle from what I was told is a late 70s to early 80s version.
This is nothing like the current edt, edp or parfum. The closest Is the 70s extrait that I had.
It’s not skanky, musky (odd as musks amplify on me) and I’m not picking up on civet. Seems like it goes straight to the base as the top and possibly middle notes have fizzled out. The bottle is a half full splash cologne.
Just smell deep warm amber with very little aldehydes. Unisex and yet who ever wears it, it would wither become sweeter or masculine. But it’s more sweeter than I expected. I thought I’d smell incense or powder but nothing. It’s much softer than I expected. Initially it started out like a cross between Johnsons no tears shampoo and warm woods. 1.5 hours later it’s smoother and smells like warm skin but with sweetness and woods. But very soft. If there is a hint of incense then it’s very soft too.
Gorgeous. Not sure whether my nose is not picking up on scents well at the moment but as it was dabbed on, I’m not getting wafts compared to if it was a spray.
One of my favourite versions of No 5 after the eft from 2000 and edp pre 2010.
baralgin – :
I like this fragrance but it doesn’t have the wow factor for me – it’s beautiful but nothing more. The Japanese have a word for pretty – kirei – but for a thing to be truly beautiful, it must possess a strangeness that lifts it out of the ordinary, at which point it is called omoshiroi – literally ‘white-faced’. No5 cologne doesn’t have that. It’s beautiful, just as Joy, Arpège, Madame Carven and many other contemporary fragrances are beautiful. But I could live without it. Today I’m wearing it on one wrist (a 1990s vintage) and on the other wrist is a 1950s vintage Caron Fleurs de Rocaille. The Caron is far more beautiful, and I have been bowled over by this in a way I’m just not with the Chanel. Having said that, the cologne is still the only version of No5 that I would want to own – both the EDT and the parfum give me a massive headache. So, a nice one for the fragrance wardrobe, but given the splash bottle, I have a feeling it’s going to end up more in the bath than on me.
zen777 – :
GAME CHANGER. If you can’t wear Chanel no 5 EDT or EDP bc it’s too much, too musty, too “old” (whatever that means), or, as in my case, too “formal”, then you need to get your hands on some of the EDC, preferably vintage, asap! I just got a great deal on a big 2 oz bottle from Ebay, and I love love LOVE IT. The vintage is very affordable on EBay and very prevalent, there are lots of good quality bottles available so I don’t worry about running out of this one anytime soon. You can get a 4 oz bottle for $50!
It’s more woodsy, more warm and cozy, to me, less of that aldehydic blast to the brain that the EDP has, and it’s timeless and AMAZING! I won’t ever be without it again. There’s way more civet in this one and I think that’s what does it for me – it adds this unisex, musky depth to it, and I adore civet in vintage perfumes.
The bottle is understated and uber chic, it looks amazing on my vanity. This has more woods, less soap, and wears like an understated cashmere scarf. It channels Caroline Bessette Kennedy level elegance and understatement. I know she wore Egyptian Musk but she should have also worn this. It’s New York on a fall day, walking in Central Park with good Italian leather shoes, but it also invokes images of being a WASP on a boat, off the east coast, in the spring, wearing a striped sweater and deck shoes, sipping some good white wine, or whatever the those people do. Cheesy but true! So many amazing images in my head with this one. Versatile and elegant, it’s my favorite of all the Chanel no 5 formulations and I’m so glad I found “my” no 5! Love it!
serfed – :
Thanks to this awesome site, I found out that Chanel No. 5 includes bergamot in its ingredients, and I remembered that Earl Grey tea also irritates my throat and stomach and it contains strong bergamot, so I’m thinking that bergamot may be the culprit in my allergic reaction to No. 5 and other fragrances!
kost02021985 – :
I love the smell of Chanel No. 5, but it is one of the perfumes that I have an allergic reaction to. I would like to find out what the ingredient is that bothers me so that I could eliminate perfumes with that ingredient as possibilities for ordering online.
Does anyone else have this reaction to No. 5? I am not allergic to all perfumes as some people are, but No. 5 has always bothered me, since first trying my aunt’s bottle as a teen.
P.S. I just thought to mention that Earl Grey tea also bothers me, and I’ve assumed it is the bergamot in it, as Lady Grey contains much less bergamot and added citrus flavorings and doesn’t bother me!
uggs outletg2 – :
NUMBER FIVE
CHANEL
NOSE
ERNEST BEAUX
YEAR
1921
When it comes to fragrances, especially vintage classics, Chanel No 5 is the eternal classic and an icon of perfumery. Undoubtedly, this is the one fragrance that will live long after all of us are dead and unable to wear it. It’s a fragrance I disliked for years and years because it reminded me of my mother. I won’t go into detail about my relationship with my mother, which was terrible. She’s long gone and I have made peace with her but the past is, like a fragrance, a lingering and haunting scent. I love my mother for the reason of her bringing me into this world and for some early childhood memories that were beautiful. And truth be told this perfume on her was beautiful. But when I was in my teens I thought this was her old lady smell and I never liked being around her when she wore it. The day of her funeral I wore it for her. I cannot disassociate this fragrance from my mother and who she was. The cologne bottle was huge as I remember it. Or maybe I saw it through a child’s eyes and everything was bigger than I was. I recall my mother dousing herself in this stuff. Sometimes she would pour the contents into bath water. She would wear this to Temple, to dinner parties, and to my school to meet my teachers. I distinctly recall that to my nose this was a rather musky and heavy on the civet type of perfume, dirty, skanky, a bit like Dana’s Tabu or Bal A Versailles by Jean Desprez. The florals were my mother’s favorites roses and jasmines but I never really smelled them on her. This was a musk civet bomb. Still is if you get the vintage.
The cologne was all that sold for years. This was the original that Coco Gabrielle Chanel’s nose Ernest Beaux formulated in 1921. This was the turning point. This was a grandiose aldehyde fragrance that introduced all subsequent aldehydes. The first aldehyde perfume. The aldehydes dominate the opening. They are chemical harsh stuff, fresh but a screamer. They are refreshing and really quite good for after a shower. They smell like all the good soapy aldehydes one experiences in aldehyde based frags. Then there’s a very distinctive neroli and orange blossom. A citrusy scent to die for. The orange flavor is quite refreshing like a tonic, similar in fact to the potent citrus and bergamot oil in Shalimar. It’s also pretty similar to citrus in men’s colognes. This can also turn into a musky men’s cologne so yeah this is totally a unisex cologne. On many women it might come off as too masculine by the standards of today’s perfumes. But that’s why I now love it! This is a serious no nonsense and very gorgeous unisex perfume. It’s warm and empowering and it has come from long ago to make us glad to have a nose to smell it.
The florals were commonly found in France at the time of the perfume’s creation: a Grasse jasmine and a rose along with the powdery notes coming from iris flower and or orris root. Powdery florals aren’t my thing but they are not the stars or the master accords in this fragrance at all. The jasmine and iris are stunners. I found it similar to the powdery iris in the original Shalimar. There’s really much more ylang ylang in No 5 than any other floral note. I do like the ylang here and it’s a great middle stage and heart note. The florals are similar to Joy by Patou which I never wore but which my mother’s friends wore. This is a very mature floral. It’s also very green floral and just green: vetiver grass and patchouli leaves. Such a fab patchouli. I also smell nondescript spices. They are spicy florals as they develop and turn musky, woodsy and green with patchouli and vetiver. This is not a chypre however and despite the woods and the moss, it’s the civet that takes over. It starts off pretty strong and musky but softens into a powder.
No. 5 has endured through the decades. So many iconic women of the 20th century have worn No. 5. Two very different women associated with the same man (John F. Kennedy) wore it: Marilyn Monroe (JFK’s one time lover) and his wife First Lady Jackie Kennedy. Marilyn Monroe helped to boost sales of the perfume when she made it known to the public in an interview that she wore Chanel No. 5 “to bed”. She might have been joking or drunk but she named the brand and the perfume and it made No. 5 an even bigger seller than it already was. Jackie Kennedy, a fan of French fragrances, wore No. 5 and Bal a Versailles. No. 5 would have smelled absolutely beautiful on her, especially the rose and iris powder and the jasmine. The musk and civet were authentic notes at the time, expensive notes, as it cost money to even get the civet secretion into perfume, but today these notes are long gone and we only get recreated synthetic musk. This is still a musky and warm wintery frag. Some times it smells Russian and Old World, and it has sa melancholy and tragic beauty. It has a very emotional quality. It has the power to touch us in one way or another. We love it. We hate it. We remember it. We can’t get away from it. It is our past and it is our family.
I am wearing it for my mother on the anniversary of her passing. I love you mom. I didn’t turn out to be the daughter you wanted me to be. I am my own woman very much my own woman with my own opinions, thoughts, ideas, philosophies and lifestyle. But you were also your own woman and I got it from you. I love you forever mom.
And I love your perfume.
dochkosmonavta – :
I think this is just perfect for work/everyday wear. You just smell nice. You just smell good. Plain and simple. It’s not too strong or offensive. It’s pleasant. It doesn’t wow me or excite me but that isn’t a bad thing. Every wardrobe needs classic staple items to carry you through every occasion and Chanel No 5 fits the bill perfectly. You can wear this anytime anywhere and you are perfectly dressed for the occasion whatever it may be.
FantomAS7 – :
@sfdla I agree completely.
I first tried a hand me down from my mother in my early 30s and thought this too mature. Now, mid 30s, I can’t believe I ever thought so. It’s beautiful, soft and powdery but not waify, graceful, and self-assured.
There’s not much to say except, to me, No 5 eau de cologne is Every Woman. She is a chameleon, not in a shifty, devious way. No 5 is a supporting actress to the wearer. I think whatever style the woman who wears No 5 cologne is, that is what No 5 becomes. Marilyn Monroe wore this, and so it became sensual. For me, I am more reserved but sweet, and my No 5 follows suit. I can even see where No 5 could be edgy on the right person.
I’d hate to reduce No. 5 eau de cologne to being deemed versatile, but it is in the same way that the little black dress will always be versatile but stylish in all its interpretations.
sillage – 2 sprays and about an hour of heavy projection settling into soft wafts
longevity – 4-5 hours then skin scent
wear – my review says it all
Banzay – :
The vintage EDC is the purest expression of the No 5 ethos. Real civet, creamy ylang, waxy aldehydes and pure beauty.
Kuglyant – :
I just found a little, rather old-looking bottle of this at a thrift store and picked it up to smell it, as well as pass it on to my daughter as a reference. The bottle was mostly full, still in its box and very nicely preserved… Really, a beautiful textbook of perfumery: an opening of aliphatic aldehydes (the distinct, ‘snuffed out candle’ smell) that lightens to the unexpected sparkle and improbably fresh, fruity rose bevelled with iris, all supported by a rich undertone that is felt more than sensed. Gorgeous. On the skin it is surprisingly light and fresh after the initial onset. I wish the women in my life enjoyed Chanel No 5 as much as I do (my wife appreciates it academically, but suits very different scents that are lovely on her.) Here’s hoping my daughter grows into it.
DotGypesttusyst – :
Years ago, I tried the Chanel No.5 EDP and it about burned my eyes out, so strong I couldn’t even process its components. I promptly decided I hated the entire Chanel brand (yes, more than a little shortsighted).
The EdC however is a soft, ladylike skin scent. It’s a little powdery, a little musky, but a totally wearable, accessible, everyday scent. It’s not nearly as distinctive as I would have thought after that concentrated EDP intro, but maybe that’s why it’s such an enduring classic. It can be dressed up or down, it works day or night. The versatility is how it’s unusual. There are a lot of imitators. This…just works.
Everyone loves it, but no one really notices it. It elevates any outfit, but subtly. You just smell good. It’s a refreshing change from some of the more aggressive frags I prefer, glad I gave it a shot as it’s going to be a real go-to.
_DIDO_ – :
So good, the smell of mothers, of Marilyn Monroe, womanliness. My favorite version of 5.
M.One – :
Chanel No 5 Vintage Cologne
The first time I met her she sat on a shelf at the Chanel boutique in Paris on one of my visits circa 1959. At the time I was engaged to be married and excited about buying French perfumes. For a long time I avoided this fragrance, which even by the 50’s was overrated and commonly used by everyone and their mother, so I thought that this perfume would not be for me. It was raining and I forgot my umbrella so I had to walk into the store under my fiancé’s umbrella. The sales lady looked at me like I was from another planet, even though we were both European and my country was only across the Channel and my country had saved her country from the Nazis! The opportunity was there and so I bought Chanel No. 5.
I was asked to sample it but I chose not to and to discover the scent for myself when I got home. My mother never wore this as she preferred Chanel Cuir de Russie Chanel No 22 and Chanel Gardenia. The first whiff was an orgasmic aldehyde. Such beautiful fresh brilliant and old timey perfumy aldehydes. These were the very first aldehydes in the history of perfume. Beautiful.
The aldehydes settle down and a powdery iris and rose scent emerge, my God. So floral and so pretty. Womanly, feminine, elegant. It seems to be based on the rose but it’s not a rose perfume. The florals are very lovely but they quickly turn spicy and musky. The base notes contain civet and musk, perhaps a touch of leather and plenty of vetiver and oak moss. I had experienced moss and civet before so I was able to take it.
In the end I sighed with relief. This was a gorgeous perfume when it was selling in the Golden Age of Perfume and still is. If you give it a chance, the cologne, with it’s amazing projection, sillage, longevity and aroma, can seduce you and enchant you. It’s a perfume that begs to be loved, to be treasured. It’s iconic and the perfume of perfumes. I wear this infrequently so that I wouldn’t smell it too much and enjoy the scent the few times I do wear it. It always feels like an old friend, a friend that waits for me patiently to meet up with her again.
No. 5 is a fragrance of aldehydes, roses, iris, powder, musk and moss, a perfume of enduring appeal, ageless, timeless, captivating, a fragrance that has stood the test of time and continues to be the most recognized and famous fragrance of all time.
sunsway – :
I still have this for when I want to feel elegant, or for interviews, but my ex ruined it for me. This timeless fragrance has so many feelings and memories associated with it.
Виктор1984 – :
I just got my vintage 200ml bottle of this today. Looks like this bottle was produced in the 70’s.
Anyway, on to business –
Out of all the concentrations of No. 5 (past and present) that I have tried, I would say this one is the most aldehydic and least floral.
The initial whiff reminded me a bit of Original Musk by Kiehl’s – soapy, electric aldehydes and dirty animalic notes dancing in a floral haze. But while OM’s florals are much more pronounced and indolic, No. 5 EDC puts the aldehydes and civet front and center. The florals are there, for sure, but they’ve been relegated to a supporting role. And for this reason, this is easily the most unisex version of the iconic perfume. (Although I’m pretty sure the age of the bottle has affected its smell)
If Chanel were to come out with a Chanel No. 5 Pour Homme, this would be a good reference point.
The drydown is what you would expect a No. 5 drydown to be: warm, powdery-woody and intimate – perhaps more “intimate” and “lived in” than any of the modern formulations due to the presence of natural civet.
Overall I would say this is a great acquisition for any perfume geek, even if only as a reference scent.
Additional notes:
this is a lot headier and long lasting than the modern EDT, and can be found online for a lot less cheap. If you can find a good deal online, I highly recommend you get it.
LordVeliar – :
Girls, perfumes do turn, all vintage bottles include a heavy danger of having “turned”. In hotter climates bottles will start to smell bad after 7 years or even less. And , please, old ladies just like young ladies don’t have a characteristic smell. They can use Heat or Incredible Things or whatever smell they like. And there are a lot of young people who love vintage scents. Stop this ageistic “old lady smell” that really means a really bad scent. And one thing is sure, we all will age and turn into old gentlemen and ladies (if we are lucky !!!!).
Xeroxspoxk – :
I have the vintage, the exact same bottle. Am I the only one who hates this?? This is one of the worst I’ve ever smelled. The scent spells OLD like in old lady scent. No flowers in mine, just the very old strong smell. How can anyone under 70 years old like this? Just because it’s old and Chanel it does not equate good. I’m ready to swap this along with my vintage N19.
andr_painkiller 431 – :
This is for the vintage formula, that a fellow Fragrantica member so generously sent to me:
The vintage no 5 edc has been such a privilege to experience. I realise that women must have been wearing it when I was a little girl. (Well, most women, my mother didn’t wear perfumes and she wasn’t into glamour.)
Those scent memories have shaped what fragrances I am attracted to, all these years later. The scent of the vintage Chanel makes me remember the sound of jingling charm bracelets, ice cubes clinking in glasses, the flash of sparking jewellery, the feel of fur, all mixed in with the scent of cigarettes, lipstick and alcohol. It was the early 60s, when none of those things were yet questioned.
I was born a “girly” girl. I loved playing dress up and could hardly wait to be old enough to save up pocket money to buy make up. Other little girls may have been playing with dolls but I was busy making “hors d’oeuvres” out of plasticine and pouring pretend cocktails. I was the only girl with three older brothers. I craved all things pretty and feminine – it must have been like an alien arriving in my very masculine family. I ached for feminine things, so whenever a glamorous woman arrived on my radar, I was beyond myself with happiness. Those women were scented with Chanel no 5 and probably a few other vintage fragrances which I have yet to experience.
Who would have thought that a decant of vintage Chanel could evoke all that from the past? Needless to say, I am very grateful.
Edit: I put this review under the wrong Chanel no 5. This is for the cologne, not the edt.
Xeroxyxmdm – :
No. 5
CHANEL
GROUP: ALDEHYDIC FLORAL MUSK
NOTES: aldehydes bergamot lemon ylang ylang orange blossom iris jasmine orris root rose lily of the valley vetiver sandalwood patchouli oak moss civet musk
SILLAGE: MODERATE Radiates Within Arm’s Length
LONGEVITY: VERY LONG LASTING: 7 to 12 Hours
REMINDS ME OF: ARPEGE LANVIN JOY PATOU L’INTERDIT GIVENCHY BAL A VERSAILLES JEAN DESPREZ FIRST VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
NO. 5 in it’s purest vintage form is selling as the Eau de Cologne. This was the first aldehyde fragrance. Before aldehydes were introduced as notes in fragrances, the fr