5 Fragrances that have stood the test of time

In the words of fragrance expert and journalist Tania Sanchez (she co-authored the book Perfumes: The Guide with Luca Turin), “Unfortunately for profits, perfume really is an art, not a science.” This art form has birthed many a classic, but some have won favour with wearers for decades while others, even though lauded as exceptional, just haven’t been very popular. 

So what scents have kept buyers coming back for more of the same? Considering the global fragrance market is set to be worth $92 billion by 2024, the perfumes that are still in high demand years after launch mean they must have something the cooler newbies don’t. 

Here are five cult classics that have stood the test of time.

Cacharel Anais Anais L’Original EDT 

Described by Luca Turin in Perfumes: The Guide as “a monument” and “one of the most influential fragrances in history,” Anais Anais was the first fragrance to be created by the house of Cacharel back in the late ’70s. With its intense floral heart –  think sweet rose, white lily and jasmine – it’s a concentrated bouquet of classic fragrance femininity. 

Davidoff Cool Water EDT

Luca writes that Cool Water made perfumer Pierre Bourdon famous and “was imitated more times, I’ll wager, than any other fragrance in history save Chypre.” Need we say more?

Elizabeth Arden Red Door EDT 

Borrowing from the brand’s heritage – the red door of cosmetics innovator Elizabeth Arden’s salon in the early 1900s is legendary – this oriental rose fragrance is set against a dry spiced-woody backdrop, explains Tania.

Calvin Klein CK One EDT 

A commercial success as the original unisex fragrance, this androgynous scent was an edgy powerhouse of the 1990s. The composition is still cool today; Luca rated it four stars in Perfumes: The Guide – which means it comes recommended. 

Clinique Aromatics Elixir EDP

A fragrance that did get the coveted five stars from Luca was Clinque’s ever-popular Aromatics Elixir, described by him as “a masterpiece.” Dosed with notes of rose, ylang ylang and vetiver, it’s a heady scent and one that Luca waxes lyrical over in his book. Created by perfumer Bernard Chant, Luca says of the him and scent, “the thing fills the room with such a confident presence that it is hard to countenance the fact that Bernard Chant was using the same fragrance materials as everyone else. In his hands everything becomes larger and lighter than life.” Try it and see for yourself. 

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