Anne Klein

Picture it: Christmas, 1987. A 14 year old high school freshman receives her first "grownup" fragrances, a Bloomie's mini set. Out of those five tiny bottles, the one that really speaks to her is Anne Klein which, if you can believe it, strikes her as subtle in contrast to the Obsessions, White Linens and Poisons that are making the rounds at the time. Being only 14 and more than a little anxious about being That Girl Who Everyone Can Smell Before She Enters the Room, she uses the tiniest dabs, one on each wrist, and so more or less keeps the delicious fragrance to herself. It makes her feel sophisticated (though she's certainly not), and somehow completes her school uniform. Then at fortysomething, I'm feeling more than a little nostalgic. Perhaps it's because we're nearing the end of another decade, perhaps it's the undereye bags that are slowly pillowing a little bit more every day. Whatever the reason, it's been almost 30 years since I wore Anne Klein and I need it again. I remember what it smelled like - smart, primly sensual, a little mysterious - but I want more than the memory. As luck would have it, someone on Ebay is selling a seemingly endless supply of minis, just like the one I had...I think. I purchase a parfum and an eau de parfum to find out which is which. I try the parfum first. All worries that it might be expired or that I'm remembering the wrong fragrance are cast aside. This is IT. Heady, sweet, and pristine. ("I'm not THAT pristine." - Claire Standish) Regardless of what Anne Klein might mean to anyone else, for me this is '80s innocence and impudence in a bottle. Then I try the EDP and it's...well, a decent-enough replica. It reminds me of a poster print of a famous painting. The essential feel of the original painting is there, but it's missing the texture, the play of light and shadow on brushstrokes, that makes viewing a work of art in person a richer experience than just looking at a photo of a painting. The animalic undercurrent of the parfum is arrested by white flowers in the EDP, and without that sensuality it doesn't seem so exceptional. I'm grateful I was able to find the parfum. The effect would not have been the same otherwise. I'm regretful I didn't purchase several while they were so plentiful and inexpensive. But then again, this isn't something I should wear every day (though I probably could); the nostalgia factor is too high. Right now I'm feeling like I might need to open it up again. Maybe play some Depeche Mode or Pet Shop Boys to complete the mood.

I never tried the original formula, so I didn't know how this new bottle I purchased of the latest formulation, which is now made in the US, compared. But yesterday, quite by chance, I found out. I had to stop at a friend's house after work to pick up her dog (my dogs' buddy!) to babysit for the weekend, and as soon as I walked through the door she said “Anne Klein! You're wearing Anne Klein! I haven't smelled that in years.” She then proceeded to tell me that she wore it when it first came out. It was good to know this is still recognizable and basically smells the same to her now as it did then. I wasn't sure considering that this is now on its third manufacturer. As to this new version, I love it! First spray of aldehydes and hyacinths immediately brought to mind Carolina Herrera. It then morphs into a tuberose dominant white floral bomb not only still reminding me of Herrera, but also of Paul Sebastian Design and original Lagerfeld Chloe. Unlike them though, this has a fleshy muskiness that gives the florals a softer, plusher profile. As it continues to dry down it develops a slight soapiness, (there's that Paul Sebastian again), though in no way harsh. Just a soft, clean floral. But then, just when you think this is the end, that muskiness comes back and it is accompanied by an animalic civet. I'm not usually a fan of that note, but there is no denying how much it adds to this scent and makes it absolutely intoxicating. Overall, this is an 80s floral bomb, on the line of other floral bombs of that time period, though this is softer and not as in your face, at least as it wears on and the musk becomes more prominent. But it does start strong, and for a few minutes there had me gritting my teeth that I was about to be clobbered with a bouquet of flowers. But after a few minutes it lightens up to a more discrete, though in no way unnoticeable level. Longevity is excellent as a few sprays lasted all day. For something that cost me less than $20 a bottle, I am more than happy with this blind buy, and like @drugstore classics, am finding it somewhat addictive as I've worn it for several days in a row and haven't tired of it yet. I am considering a back-up when I purchase a bottle to surprise my friend as I know this scent is going to be in very heavy rotation.

I cannot be completely subjective about this scent. It is SO gorgeous on me that it's difficult to put into words, describe adequately, or even define. Some people understandably hate soapy florals. They do nothing for them, and thus they've gotten a bad reputation. This is such a scent, but OH how beautiful to me! KL Chloe is much more screechy/soapy at the beginning than Anne Klein. Cabotine is also rather soapy and challenging at the beginning - to me. But all three are utterly gorgeous on dry down. This one is easily the most golden and lyrical. I don't know HOW to describe it. I have tested Caroline Herrera's eponymous scent in the past, and frankly think it far more tuberose centered, if related. Anne is femininity personified, a huge bouquet mixed with honeysuckle, lilac, pollen, and golden warmth. (I know lilac isn't mentioned; it's probably the hyacinth!) Tuberose may be the most dominant flower, but all of them meld with 'spicy' galbanum, amber, and vetiver to absolute perfection. Comparisons are misleading. At times I catch whiffs of this and that, but nothing in my scent memory is a smell-alike. Truly, I wouldn't change a thing. Anne Klein is distinctive and womanly and expensive smelling all at once. A note about reformulations: I swapped for this bottle because I HAVE the vintage mini. The mini has aged top notes and a most glorious dry down. It wafted from my sweater for days on end and finally boosted my urge to obtain more. No longer curious, I am now Satisfied. Reformulations are rarely a good thing, and here the watering down is evident. This is not an EDP. This is an EDC. A bit of the previous 'thickness' and warmth are dialed down. But! One spray under my shirt lingers nicely for hours and a generous misting on fabric and hair yields a cloud of moderate scent. Performance on skin is low - on fabric and hair wonderful. It is clearly (to me) the same scent, if milder mannered. Strong on first spray, however, so you may not wish to spray around the perfume sensitive. Conclusion: Many a current designer EDP has similar performance for a much higher price tag. If you (as I do!) choose to imagine the label on the bottle 'EDC', this is a fairly priced and wonderful offering from the house of Anne Klein. Count me happy!

A nice perfume friend that I met here sent me a sample of this and I really, really like it. In fact, it is a love. And it cost nothing! This really reminds me of the 1980's. Everything in that time period was big, larger than life, over the top and full of optimism, happiness and sensuality. It is a time period that was fun to be a teenager. This perfume really reminds me of the original Chloe, that was my Aunt's signature (she has passed) she always, always smelled AMAZING! Getting a hug from her was a joy, she was the kindest woman and she also smelled so floral, but it had a warm glow to it. This perfume has that same warm glow. I think it is the way I smell amber and musk. This perfume also reminds me a bit of Estee Lauder's Beautiful as well. Like original Chloe and Beautiful had a baby. You have to really love aldehydic florals like I do (I didn't for most of my life but when I smelled White Diamonds something inside my brain clicked and now, I get them and can't get enough) The trick w/ aldehydic florals is you have to find the one your brain gets and when you do, you want them all. I have been wearing a lot of these types of florals as of late, yesterday I wore Velvet Sicily and it was brilliant. This cost less than lunch at McDonalds, now what would anyone rather have a crappy lunch (I can't eat that) or a gorgeous perfume? I'll take Anne Klien Thank you! Another trick w/ these types of florals less is more. When you wear them the right way you can wear them well.

My bottle is a vintage partial. Aldehydes, with touches of currant, peach, and greenness in the opening. Then a sumptuous, indolic white floral. Very big, heady, thick, luscious tuberose with some jasmine & ylang-ylang. Gardenia notes from this time period never smell realistic to me, but the perfume has a buttery, milky quality, so I see why people are voting gardenia. The indolic florals are brought to the next level with animalic musks. A subtle but distinct ambery sandalwood base. Anne Klein signature is one of many "the 1980s recasting the 1930s" perfumes. The '80s was the decade of excess, and as such, the tastemakers of the day attempted to reignite the golden age of perfumery. Unfortunately many '80s numbers smell cheap, cosmetic, high-pitched, metallic, oily, pushy or are otherwise a whole lot worse than the grand perfumes of the '30s. When accounting for how expensive '30s fare has become on the secondhand market, the original Anne Klein is certainly worth buying and trying. This is a very well made '80s release, especially for the modest prices of old bottles. Underrated - it doesn't get nearly the recognition it deserves. Edited to include FYI: The newer bottles say "Made in China/Palm Beach Beauté LLC". These newer bottles are not nearly as good, scentwise. Avoid them. Search for the older bottles that say "Made in France/Parlux".