Chanel No 5 Eau de Toilette

My apologies for the wall of words forthcoming, but if you choose to read, I thank you! Chanel No.5 EDT was literally my very first adult fragrance, though I was a mere child of 11 or 12, around 1987. I know, I know. You are now thinking, "Excuse me....what?" Well, this was given to my mother as a gift by someone at that time, and my mother, who was a very young mother, really hated it upon first sniff. My mother was wearing Giorgio dupes at the time (and eventually the real thing). Sorry mom, but I LOATHED that scent. So anyways, you can see how Chanel was not exactly her style. We were also pretty poor I should mention, and the Chanel was one of the most expensive things she ever owned, and so, she could not bring herself to waste it and gave it to me. I never wore it to school, but I would wear it around sometimes. I didn't like it, but I didn't hate it. I acknowledge that I really did feel like I smelled like an old lady, but still, I felt rich when I wore it being the most expensive thing I ever owned. Eventually I stopped "playing' around with this scent and stopped wearing it, but did keep it around because it was a sleek container that I loved (better than the EDT bottles of now). It was all black, with a gold band around the area where the lid detached and the Chanel interlocking C's stamped into the top of the cap. Sadly though, eventually I lost that bottle. It didn't bother me much for a very long time, because I never thought in terms of my future and this becoming vintage. But the sadness of it being gone now really washes over me sometimes lately! Fast forward to high school and I started liking different kinds of scents- the Gap scents (Heaven, Grass, etc). I sometimes would wear cheap musk oils, or Jovan White Musk. I did somehow come into a bottle of Ralph Lauren's Lauren which I did love (and still do). I never was a fan of any celebrity scents though they were popular and inexpensive at the time. I just never could be bothered with them. I also wasn't a daily fragrance wearer. Which I came to find out some girls/women consider "odd". But whatever...I just did my own thing. I remembered my old Chanel again though. This time I wanted something more modern and found myself blowing a load of money from my after school job on Chanel Allure. Oh I thought I loved that scent at the time, and I felt so sophisticated wearing it (but not old!). However, truth be told it never reacted well on my skin. But I wore it, and wore it...because it was expensive! Eventually I couldn't take it anymore and gave it to a friend. I really dislike Allure now because of that experience. I wasn't actually being "me". Fast forward again to around 2002. I'm now married and have my own home. I'm around 27 years old. I begin wearing things like Estee Lauder Pleasure's and Clinique Happy. They smelled nice enough, but really they were never really "me" either. And I sort of now despise those scents as well (Happy makes me absolutely ill and not at all "happy"!). I still really wasn't a faithful wearer of fragrance either, sometimes it just felt like I was trying to be someone else in fragrances and it was never comfortable to me. Sometimes I felt like wearing it, sometimes I did not. I always spritzed on something when going out in the evenings though. I started to feel like I wanted something more sophisticated and mature, I wanted to find "me" in a fragrance. I remembered my old EDT that was long gone. I revisted it and tested it and low and behold, it didn't make me smell like an old lady anymore! It was classy and soft, and it really did react well on my skin. But as I was still not a faithful wearer of scent, this EDT more or less has just sat around for the last almost 20 years now. Only pulled out on occasion for evenings out. Never did I wear this during the day. No5 was somehow closer to being "me" than ever before, but not quite there. I stumbled one day upon a magazine sample of Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely, and for the first time in my life, I immediately HAD to have a fragrance. It felt like ME. I bought it around the time it first came out around 2006/2007 or so. It's taken many years to discover, but that is my signature scent. So for a very long stretch in the the Aughts (2006 or so to 2020) I owned only Lovely, Chanel No 5 EDT, and then eventually Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet and Origin's Ginger Essence with a Bath and Body works scent thrown in here or there. That is all. For YEARS. One day, during the hellscape that was 2020 and truth be told still is in 2021, I found myself cleaning out my bathroom where I have a little vanity type cabinet. And randomly picked up my Chanel No 5 and just sprayed it on me. At around 10 a.m . on a random Wednesday. I inhaled deeply and I just couldn't stop smelling myself. I felt so comforted now by this scent, why haven't I been wearing it? Just deep nostalgia and comfort and a sense of ease in my own skin suddenly descended upon me. I reached for my Lovely the next day, which I really wasn't even wearing anymore, only on special occasions. And well, there were NO special occasions in 2020 so... Again, why do I not wear these scents? It just felt like a warm embrace. And I found myself interested in all things Perfume suddenly. Like a hobby! And well,here I am.... I've discovered that while Chanel No 5 isn't my signature, it is "me" quite a bit, it depends on my mood. She is at once loud and soft. Rich and classy but understated at the same time. It does smell soapy as some have said, but not soap like Dial or Jergens, but as the most expensive, luxurious soap you can find at a department store. After awhile, the loudness dials way down (which is the initial burst of the aldehydes I've discovered) and it's almost a skin scent. But it lingers around you in a soft, luxurious cloud all day, and while you think only you can smell it, I assure you, others do get wafts from you and you will get compliments. A lot of people don't actually know what they are smelling because of preconceived notions of what No5 is. I cannot say that I can pick apart the notes in this scent, other than the aldehydes. It is just so well blended that I would never have guessed any of the notes that are in here, are actually in here! And I'm ok with that.... So this EDT has now made my daily scent wearing rotation. Yes, DAILY! It's helped me a lot through these times, as I said, a sense of comfort. Oh and since my bottle is around 20 years old now, it's on it's way to vintage ;-) I may buy a newer bottle to spray more regularly and save my almost, not quite vintage bottle to make up for past discretions against this beautiful creation.

Wow. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this. But I love it! I might be a little biased, and here’s why. Growing up I was raised by my grandparents, and my grandmother wore this along with some other things for all the time I knew her on this earth. The smell would linger when she and my grandfather left the house all dressed up to go somewhere. She had the “lipstick” style bottle, and I remember seeing it sit on her perfume tray on her dresser. I, admittedly, would lift the cap and go smell the bottle sometimes. She left this earth 5 years ago. And although I’ve grown and dealt with it, I sometimes miss her when I’m lonely. A little over a year ago, I started really becoming interested in fragrances and started buying, trying, collecting. I don’t have a huge collection like some others on here, but I also don’t make too much and don’t have enough space on my dresser for more. I don’t go towards feminine scents as much unless they are the fresher and greener types (think Elizabeth Arden Green Tea) but I’ve finally fallen in love with musk, so I’ve been branching out. Last week I decided to go on eBay and I was very happy to find a vintage lipstick style bottle about 40% full!! It came yesterday while I was at work, and I opened it last night and spritzed a little bit on me before I went to bed. Within no time, memories flooded back. I could see my grandparents house, I could see outfits my grandmother would wear, I could visualize the space and the sensation of the scent lingering when she walked around the house after applying it. I sat and cried softly for these lovely, even if simple, memories that came back to me. I think for this I will always have a love for this perfume. This morning, I can still get whiffs of it! So this vintage formulation is where it’s at. I unfortunately can’t date it as it didn’t have the original box. But I think it’s from the 90s or early 2000s. I have a vintage bottle of the eau de parfum that also looks like a 90s/early 2000s release on the way, and I can’t wait! I’m going to learn how I can rock this scent for myself, and get rid of the “old lady” preconceived notions many have. Older women wear this because it’s been popular for a long time, and it’s been a trusty staple. I understand there are more challenging fragrances out there, and even better ones, but this really is a nice perfume. I get that light fizzy champagne like essence from it, and I see why everyone has talked about it not smelling like any note in particular, but a very nice blend of them all. As long as I can get my hands on vintage formulations or if Chanel reformulates (reading reviews of newer releases makes me somewhat embarrassed for Chanel) it back to a good projection, sillage, and lasting power...this will always be in my collection. Sorry for the long review, but thank you if you did read about my love for Chanel no 5. EDIT: 07/27 - Within a few days this has grown from a love to...an obsession? The next evening after having such a lovely first encounter with this EDT, I bought and have now received an older EDP. I love it! Less than 20 mins ago I clicked the button to have the pure Parfum and body lotion shipped to me. Might have a problem, but don’t care. I layered the EDT over the EDP after showering and moisturizing. I’m wearing a pastel bath robe and eating chocolate as I watch a movie. I feel luxurious, and I don’t feel the need for a man to be with me. As long as I have Chanel I feel strong in my solitude. Omg, I feel like Catherine Deneuve in that old ad in her bath robe, haha!! Another update 08/10 - Ok so my vintage EDT in the lipstick style black and gold bottle (not twist and spray) is fantastic. I know Chanel no 5 isn’t meant to be a bomb, and that’s totally fine. But the vintage (I’m unsure of the year) seems to project for a decent amount of time before it becomes a floral/woody/powdery skin scent. And then it lasts as a skin scent for a while. I’ve learned that I’m one of those people who’s skin seems to “eat” many fragrances. And with that I try not to expect too much with projection or lasting power, but sometimes I get surprised when my skin and a fragrance get along and work together to give me pleasure for more than one hour. The vintage EDT is one of those friends it seems. I bought the new twist and spray and I can’t tell you how disappointed I am. I can’t check the batch code as it’s Chanel and many of you already know what I’m talking about. It was definitely made in the last couple of years, perhaps this year or last. It absolutely SUCKS. It is like Chanel no 5 WATER. I could almost cry while typing this. This scent has brought me not only memories with my grandma, but I’ve come to respect it for all the people, regardless of gender, who have made it their friend. I’ve even come to adopt it as, and I don’t know if anyone else does this, a rotating signature? The scents that I always come back to, will now always (I’m still new to this world) be in my rotation and always in my collection. Even if I decide to stop collecting (lol not anytime soon), these certain scents will always be in my life. Having said that the new formulation sucks, I’d like to apologize if I offend anybody with that. I don’t mean to do so, I’m just so disappointed by it. BUT, I’m also open minded to the possibility of it macerating after I’ve sprayed it and now maybe it just needed that air and to sit? I don’t know if it will make a difference or for how long it will have to sit before I find that it performs better. I’ll post another review as I know this one is very long (sorry if that’s annoying...but you don’t have to read). I just want to warn anyone interested in a current formulation. It still smells nice, but it lasted less than 45 minutes. Yesterday I purchased a 90% full vintage 1.7 oz refill bottle for my black and gold case that I’ll use sparingly until I can amass more, or Chanel changes their ways. I know there’s regulations, but geez this is wrong. This fragrance is lovely and should be more than to be treated as something cheap that you overspray. One, it’s not cheap. Two, it’s disrespectful to this fragrance. 🥀

I agree with almost everything @Nathan86 has said below, but there’s one point where I differ: set aside the flankers, I honestly think the EDP is the easiest one to pull off — not this EDT. The EDT and EDP are both diluted from the Extrait, which defines the house’s quintessence. But on my skin (and to my nose), the EDP leans more quintessential Chanel, while the EDT leans more quintessential No.5. ==>> So what do I mean by “quintessential Chanel”? It’s elegance without hard‐trying; sophistication with abstention. Think of how Allure, Coco, or Chance feel: deeply “Chanel,” but crafted to align with their era’s public aesthetics. ==>> And what do I mean by “quintessential No.5”? It’s a statement piece that, in its time, challenged what perfume was supposed to be. A fragrance that isn’t “fragrant” in the conventional sense — but (unlike some niche ones today) still pleasantly wearable. Combine those two qualities, and you get Chanel No.5. Among different concentrations, these two qualities don’t always show up in equal measure on my skin and to my nose. This “non‐fragrant,” quintessential No.5 quality travels very differently across the three concentrations, and ultimately makes one easier (or harder) to pull off in different situations and climates. >> The Extrait: The most rounded balance between the two qualities. It is THE Chanel No.5. Magnificently luxurious — direct yet rounded. It has texture. Its development is steady and assured. Despite its gloriousness, it doesn’t project like a bubble; instead, it quietly wraps you — soft but close. But such a lush wrap requires a certain mood. It’s not something you just dab on and go. For me, it feels right for an intimate date or a cozy gathering with the closest people in life, rather than a “dress‐up for a night out” scent. ⸻ >> The EDT: The naughtiest expression of “quintessential No.5.” Don’t just take my word for it — do this experiment: spray it right after a hot shower in a steamy bathroom (but don’t leave your bottle there!) versus in a cool, air‐conditioned room. The difference is huge. In the bathroom, it comes across punchier, with that non‐fragrant aspect competing for attention — and it lingers even after you leave the steam. Some people describe this quality as “aldehydic.” I’m not a chemist — my background is in linguistics — so I avoid using terms I can’t confirm. Instead, here’s my association: It smells like soap, but not the bubble‐bath kind. More like used soap left in a damp bathroom overnight. (Don’t “eww” at me yet — I mean that in the best possible way!) It’s not straight‐up soapy; there’s a hint of human odor in it. But not the “you need a shower now” kind — more like clean skin that hasn’t just been freshly scrubbed. And this human‐skin‐like, non‐fragrant scent is often most noticeable in the EDT, depending on skin chemistry and environment. Which makes sense — after all, it has more alcohol, helping the scent evaporate and reveal itself more readily to your nose. My observation: this naughty development is most likely to show up where it’s both warm and humid. You can pull it off easily on cold, wet winter days in southeast England or under the dry, roasting sunshine of a California summer — but never in steaming heat. That’s probably why I didn’t reach for it as often while living in Hong Kong (maybe only between November and February) and not at all in Singapore. ⸻ So, which one do I take along when I’m traveling, just in case I have a No.5 mood? The EDP. Why? Because it doesn’t behave as mischievously as the EDT does on me, and I don’t always have the mood for the Extrait. ⸻ >> The EDP: The easy‐going “quintessential No.5.” In the EDP, the non‐fragrant part is still there, but mostly during the opening. It lingers for less than 30 minutes, then steps back and softens. It’s as if, in the EDP, the quintessential No.5 quality still comes to visit, but when it shows up, it politely knocks on the door and brings you flowers (Ylang Ylang and Neroli!!). Whereas in the EDT, it also brings flowers — but only after you’ve invited her in and made her comfortable. In the EDP, the quintessential No.5 quality hands you the bouquet as soon as you open the door. What courtesy! The dry‐down of the EDP is far less textured than the Extrait. But maybe we’re not always in the mood for such a massive feast, are we? To me, the EDP compared to the Extrait is like a refined, sophisticated meal by candlelight with silver cutlery, maybe accompanied by a violin, not the luxurious banquet with a full orchestra in the background. ⸻ >> So, which one is my favorite? How dare you even ask that?! I adore all three equally, in different ways. ⸻ >> Last but not least: No.5 EDT is probably the sexiest scent I can ever imagine on a man.

“No, not No.5. It’s too standard,” a friend told me casually in a chat yesterday. I’ve worn No.5 for over a decade, so my instinctive reply was quick: “You don’t understand No.5.” But this morning, I thought about it again — maybe he does understand. What is a “standard”? It’s not meant to surprise you. It’s not there to compete with trends. A standard sits above. It’s something others reference, learn from, or even follow. And that is what Chanel No.5 has been for more than a century: the standard in perfumery, in fashion, in cultural memory. ⸻ My first encounter with No.5 wasn’t as a wearer, but as an observer. I was in my early 20s, working as an interpreter escorting a commercial counselor to China. His secretary wore No.5. She was (my guess) in her late 30s or early 40s — always in a skirt suit but never in heels, with no detectable makeup, yet always well-polished nails and a pair of pearl stud earrings. She had everything planned and always knew how to react when the unexpected happened. She set the standard for what a great diplomatic assistant should be like. For years after that, I passed Chanel counters countless times. I would spray No.5 on my wrist and walk away. It never felt like me. It felt like something I should aspire to, but wasn’t ready for. ⸻ Then, a few years later, someone gifted me a bottle. It was a pivotal moment in my life: I had just abandoned my PhD path, left academia, and ended my government work. I was starting from zero as a junior Business Consultant. Excited and anxious, overwhelmed and unsure. But I was certain of one thing: I wasn’t going back. No.5 became my companion during that transition. No longer in the meeting rooms of embassies, no longer in the simultaneous interpretation booths at international conferences, but in front of whiteboards in corporate offices, where I was dissecting processes and measuring KPIs. The standard was still there — but I no longer felt confined by it. I wore it. It no longer wore me. ⸻ For years after, I wore No.5 often. Occasionally, I switched things up, but it was my steady choice. Then in 2016, I stopped. I can’t even explain why. My career took off. I led large programs, worked across the globe, and — dare I say — I became the standard for the juniors on my team. “That’s how Kefirah gets things done. That’s how she pulls off the tough stuff.” Meanwhile, my world expanded. I got lost in niche fragrance workshops in Tamil Nadu, indulged in new arrivals and classics in malls across the US and Europe, and discovered entirely new interpretations of perfume while working in the Middle East. My world grew larger, and I left No.5 behind. It became the “standard” I no longer needed. ⸻ And then came today. It’s July 30, 2025. Exactly one month ago, I successfully bid for the domain name of my new brand. After a decade of corporate consulting and several years as a partner at a boutique firm of my mentor's, I started my own business. Now, my schedule is packed. I juggle multiple hats: consultant, operator, and CEO. And an investor -- to my own venture. My curiosity for new scents has been put on pause; my life doesn’t need another layer of complexity. So I reached for No.5 again. It isn’t a simple fragrance. It has its own complexity — but it doesn’t overwhelm me. It grounds me. It reminds me: you don’t need another surprise right now, Kefirah. You need something you know, something you can trust. These days, I step out of the shower, spray on No.5, and face the day — a day full of uncertainty, decisions, and surprises — with this familiar anchor. Maybe that’s what wearing the standard really means. When I first encountered No.5, I got assurance from the woman who wore it. When I pivoted careers, I found confidence in proving my transferable skills. And now, at the start of this new chapter, I wear it as a reminder: “Hey, Kefirah — it’s okay. You know what you’re doing.”

No. 5 EdT is the most easily wearable of the three No. 5s that we have. Owning the extrait, EdP, and the EdT for a long time now, it's the EdT that I wear the most often. Part of that is due to the fact that it is significantly cheaper than the other two, which you do need to consider especially with the extrait. But, primarily, I wear it the most because wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, and given that I live in a warm area of the country, when I want to smell No. 5 the EdT is just much easier than the other two. The EdT opens with that signature blast of lemony aldehydes, neroli, and ylang-ylang and they fade quite quickly as you would expect with an EdT. At this point, it's helpful to think of No. 5 EdT as the EdP or extrait played on fast-forward but with some key differences. The white floral heart, which mainly smells of jasmine but has some other florals thrown in to round it out, is far less rich and complex than what you get in the EdP or the extrait, obviously, but do not take less rich to mean less good. While it may not have the intoxicating effects of the EdP or the extrait, what it does to make up for this is present those heart notes like a burst of sunshine as compared to the EdP's and extrait's heavier, stately, and abstract characters. It's done extremely well. You don't find yourself missing the richness or complexity of the other two No. 5s because the EdT is doing its own thing, and it's beautiful in its own right. Furthermore, this difference of character continues into the dry down where the base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, and musks are light and airy - seeming to hover just above your skin as opposed to the feeling of being draped in silk like with the EdP or extrait. It's in this dry down where the EdT shows its weakest point, where it just doesn’t have the muster of the EdP or the extrait. That sandalwood note, milky yet quite crisp and freshly cut, extends itself long past its useful life. In effort to present that light and ephemeral quality that characterizes the EdT, the woody base is somehow “aldehydic.” It’s an interesting trick but whatever is doing that sparkle with the sandalwood needs to be able to attach itself to something to work, just like the aldehydes in opening do with the lemon and florals. But the sandalwood is just a bit too thin to sustain the message. As it is and should be with EdTs, its life is fairly short (again, going back to the point of being easy to wear). It doesn't need to be long, and it shouldn't be. As an evocation of No. 5 being a burst of radiant sunlight and refreshment, this wouldn't work if it lasted an age like the extrait does. It puts a big grin on my face every time I wear it; the world feels bright and cheerful, like nature around you is sparkling with a magical energy. The No. 5 EdT is simple, and therein lies its strength because it is simply lovely.

Chanel No. 5 is perhaps the most renowned perfume of all time. Coco Chanel famously commissioned Ernest Beaux to "make a perfume that smells like a woman", resulting in this classic, groundbreaking beauty. I was surprised to read as a teenager that the EDP is a later creation and is not the same scent as the original. My mom's signature scent is the EDP, which I am much more familiar with, but I bought a vintage miniature EDT from the 1970s for comparison. It is a drier, more powdery version that smells more old-fashioned, but is no less beautiful for that. The opening of the EDT is dry and dusty, with very powdery florals. The aldehydes lift it, but the opening is an acquired taste. There is a hint of citrus in the background, bolstered by neroli, bridging the gap to the floral accord at the heart of No. 5. Clean, powdery ylang ylang adds some sweetness, but the opening is primarily powdery aldehydes. As it develops, some soft, clean jasmine emerges alongside a beautiful powdery rose note, but iris takes centre stage as the floral heart unfolds. It is so powdery, reminiscent of a vintage powder compact, or of old-fashioned toiletries. Orris root rounds out the iris note, creating the famous iris accord that No. 5 is known for. I love an iris note, and here it is at its best - melancholic, oh-so-powdery but lifted by the soapy aldehydes. There is something akin to peach in the background. The aldehydes add a bright airiness to an otherwise dense, powdery scent, creating a perfect counterpoint. As it begins to dry down, it becomes wonderfully woody, thanks to a nice vintage-style sandalwood note, which adds warmth and depth. It surprisingly becomes a floral chypre at this stage, thanks to a beautiful oakmoss note, bolstered by vetiver and a hint of patchouli. Soft animalic notes emerge, adding a nice muskiness to the mossy, woody, powdery drydown. I get a hint of softly sweet vanilla near the end as it fades to an ambery skin scent. Sillage and longevity are moderate. There is a lot happening here - after the powdery, aldehydic florals, the drydown includes nods to both the chypre and oriental olfactory families. Yet it is perfectly cohesive, even deceptively simple. Utterly chic, it holds up beautifully today, and is versatile, year-round perfume. It certainly "smells like a woman", but would be so interesting on a man. A true masterpiece, No. 5 is elegant, effortless, timeless beauty. I must try a modern bottle. 5/5.

I left this review comparing the newly launched No.5 EDT with the previous EDT version on the new No.5 EDT page. However, I thought I would also post it here for any No.5 EDT fans that might have missed the page for the newest version. I have loved and worn the older EDT version for many years, so I was very curious to experience the new release. Below is my comparison of the new and old versions of the EDT based on my experience. Opening Old No.5 EDT - The opening is bright, effervescent, and sparkling. It feels cool and crisp, with aldehydes that come across as fizzy and vibrant. The neroli adds a distinct burst of freshness that gives the fragrance an uplifting, champagne like quality. New No.5 EDT - The opening is noticeably warmer and sweeter in comparison. The aldehydes feel subdued and have largely lost their effervescent sparkle, and the crisp freshness from the neroli is absent. Heart Old No.5 EDT - As it develops, the fragrance begins to warm up while remaining beautifully layered. There’s an interplay between floral, woody, animalic, and powdery nuances that creates depth and complexity. New No.5 EDT - In the heart, the fragrance begins to resemble more of a scented body product, something closer to a cream or body oil rather than a perfume. The new No.5 EDT starts resembling the EDP rather than the previous EDT version. Dry Down Old No.5 EDT - The dry down becomes soft, sultry, powdery, musky, Everything feels cohesive, rounded, and balanced. New No.5 EDT - The dry down is where the two are somewhat similar but the new version feels choppier and sweeter. There’s a noticeable woody note mixed with a lemony accord that disrupts the smoothness. Final Thoughts The new No. 5 EDT no longer smells as refined as the previous version, nor is it as balanced or well rounded. In stripping it down, the fragrance seems to have lost much of the flamboyant elegance that once defined it. Experiencing the change is like watching a starlet once radiant with life and extravagance quietly fade from center stage into the background. I have several bottles of the previous version because I adore it that much. Once those are finished I might have to simply rely on my Extrait and the EDP.

I’m a guy reviewing this and I don’t own a bottle and never had. My mother wore this before she died back in 2016. And she had this for years, using it sparingly. We grew up poor and she was disabled/bed ridden her last 10 years. As a kid I smelled it on her all the time. It took years to clean out her old house and I found a little black stick of this EDT early this year. I don’t know what year it is from but it was in a hot back porch for 5 years with extreme heat, cold, and high humidity. Faced half a decade of the worst storage conditions possible. Somehow it lasted!! And it was first sprayed between 2010-2012. It’s fully intact. Upon first spray it was just like I remembered. It’s a powerhouse with just 4 sprays. While I do wear a lot of women’s scents, I don’t wear stuff like this. Putting aside my personal emotions, it had a very vintage vibe. It smells like the 70s even though I’ve never lived then. I’m 33 and have never smelled any other version. It smells verrrrry classy. For holidays like thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas, it’s the only thing I reach for. And it’s expensive too so I use sparingly 😅. I wear this when I go to church which is rare. This stuff radiates and I’m surprised it does for a simple EDT that was stored through hell conditions. It even smells expensive like the vintage Versace crystal noir EDP. You feel “exquisite“ upon first spray. A spray is enough to immediately send be back in time, as I’ve smelled this on many adults, women and other gay men as a kid in the 90s. It’s a safe blind buy for any woman or man like me that doesn’t put a gender on fragrance. Even if it’s something that you tell yourself you would never wear, it’s the best thing to spray before something like a job interview as it’s a familiar scent everyone knows and is conversation worthy. It’s one of those things you don’t wear often at all as it sits in your closet for years. But you’re glad that you have it. I would say it’s a safe blind but, assuming it hasn’t been reformulated.

What is an "old lady" perfume? I'll answer this definitively: it's whatever the adults were wearing when you were a kid. So you date yourself very accurately by what you consider "old lady." One day, sooner than you think, fruit-chouli and marshmallows will be the new "old-lady." However if you are a person that categorizes fragrances in this manner, you've made a choice. You can't have your cake and eat it, too; either you can tap into the cachet of a classic or you can worry about offending the 18-25 demographic. There are many inoffensive scents available today, some even with the Chanel label; but they won't cut it as a classic and aren't capable of signaling style and confidence. I had a great-aunt that wore No. 5. She smoked a lot, and her apartment didn't smell right. She must have sprayed this liberally as this was before it ever occurred to anyone to be a prissy perfume-phobic. No. 5 also has a noticeable civet note which I often have a problem with. I've learned to appreciate No. 5, along with a lot of other things since then, but still I prefer No. 22 and Bois des Iles for adding warmth to this chilly composition. Although I enjoy wearing this privately, I rarely wear it out. It is just too recognizable and people have too many associations with it. I don't want to trigger people's associations with whatever person in their life had this as a signature scent. However, if you work with a bunch of uptight puritans, you might get some satisfaction replying to their complaints that you're wearing No. 5. If people don't feel like dorks for wrinkling their noses at the perfume of Marilyn Monroe, well..they should. Some fragrances are only for the grownups.

Oh my God, it is so beautiful on skin! Like a powdery champagne! Just opened on me with all the top notes seamlessly blended into a delight. Aldehydes turn the notes high and powdery but my favourite ylang ylang shines underneath with citrus notes lead by neroli, with bergamot and lemon facets. After a couple of hours powdery iris comes forth, with dry rose petals shadow. The base notes get also more pronounced. The blend stays harmonious. The base notes are also beautiful and are changing the scent with time into warm embrace of musk, with vetiver that freshens it up and amber that deepens it. I used to think it is the best for autumn and winter but this rainy 16°C summer day it is so charming and classy, so it is an universal scent. I think all mature females should wear chypres or Chanel 5, they smell so good and sharp, elegant and trustworthy. Zero nonsense. I am too young for it, but I am growing into it and making it a stance for my sheer pleasure of wearing this scent. My bottle is 50ml in black lipstick case and I am wearing it today to celebrate my Marilyn Monroe week. She was wearing the perfume concentration but the edt is my numer 2 in the range after it. So far, I like the edp the least. But all in the range are exceptional. The edt lasts very well and truly shines on my skin, with very polite projection but more present than the edp. I think this and Dolce Vita are my favourites on my Mother. And maybe Extravagance d'Amarige. The 3 on her wowed me.

I am turning 45 this month and finally decided last month, that it is time to properly test Chanel No. 5 and see what the hype/hate is all about. And if all goes well, perhaps to give myself a birthday treat. Lo and behold, this got me hook, line and sinker. My first encounter with Chanel No. 5 was perhaps 25 years ago. While flipping a borrowed magazine from the library, chanced upon a sample on one of its pages. I peeled open the foil and carelessly spilled the entire sample on my wrists and hands. I recoiled at first, never smelling anything like it in my life. Later on as I got about my day, I kept smelling this soapy and powdery smell which surprised me as it was far different from the initial burst from earlier. My impression was that it was something an older but very sophisticated lady would wear. I liked it but never imagined it to be suitable for me at the time. Fast forward 25 years later, I went to a Chanel counter at the mall with a mission to once again discover this mysterious perfume. Tested EDP, EDT, Premiere and L’eau. The last 2 felt a little bright, not the powder I remember. The first 2 were close to the powdery magic I sniffed before. I bought both the EDP and EDT on the spot. I’m still in the process of discovering the EDT. It has multiple facets which surprises me a little bit each day. Will update again once I get to know it. But so far, I haven’t been able to put it down. It is my constant companion, morning day and night.

This was my mom’s signature perfume when I was a baby. Then she changed it for another perfume that is now discontinued and I didn’t like that much. I sampled it on my skin in year 2000 just out of curiosity. It blew my mind and I was able to understand why my dad used to steal it from her closet. However I was not ready to pull it off. Now in my 50’s I really love and enjoy wearing Number 5 edt. It’s totally unisex and I would dare to say that compared to the new trends, Chanel N5 eau de toilette is more masculine than feminine. The opening is bright, zesty and flowery but this phase lasts only some minutes on my skin before changing to a sober, elegant and gorgeous base of mostly civet, sandalwood and moss with a lovely background of rose, jasmine, lily and iris. Yes florals are still present but just as a very discrete background that keeps N5 from turning totally male and dirty. For sure it has to do with chemistry but this makes it even more magnificent and perfect. I can wear it anytime, even during summer although I have N5 L’Eau for those days. This treasure of perfumery is solemn and elegant but somehow carefree and chic at the same time. Some people may find it dated and even awful but when Chanel N5 loves your skin, there’s instant magic and everlasting love. I’m among those lucky ones who can wear it and feel all it’s charm. Yes, Chanel N5 is inevitable!

As an Amouage Gold Man and vintages fanboy, I can't help not introducing myself to the most famous Aldehydes floral Chanel 5. I wore both Chanel 5 EDP and EDT on my skin, and want to share the differences between the two. For short, both contain the citrusy aldehydes DNA, but the main key is that: EDT is a "dry woody, musky" floral with animalic tone from the dirty civet , and dries down to a classic vintage powdery sandalwood and oakmoss style. It is bold, and regal. EDP is a "creamy, powdery" floral with very slight dirtiness that is rather indolic than animalic, it is similiar to the indolic feeling of Guerlain Shalimar , its drydown is more of a modern creamy powdery vanilla style. It is easy going, inviting and pleasingly appealing. The EDT does not obviously lean masculine but the muskiness, it is empowering and regal enough that it means for anyone. It is almost like a personality. But yeah it smells more masculine even than Amouage Gold Man, and today sweet fragrances such as Bleu De Chanel, Dior Homme, Jean Paul Gautier Le Male, Prada L'homme or many things that are heavily marketed toward men today. Wearing No 5 EDT reminds me of both Roja Diaghilev's muskiness (Diaghilev is 10x dirtier/stronger), and of Guerlain Mitsouko when No 5 EDT hits the drydown (mossy, sourness of sandalwood).

How to start with this one but to agree with @Chevalier-du-Balibari who says but GOD this is PERFUME. Despite loving other Chanel perfumes, for some unknown reason I had resisted to try No 5 in any of its forms. Then about one year ago, I tried them. I was instantly transported into when I walk into my aunt's house in Madrid, where I always smelt some soap that was so strong, beautiful and magical, some wood that I assumed was furniture polish (I know that bit sounds weird) and just an overall smell of elegance and glamour. So I sampled Chanel no 5 and afterwards immediately contacted my aunt to ask if she uses Chanel no 5. She said yes, both edt and epd (and she says she prefers edt). So then I understood that beautiful smell had always been Chanel no 5. Since then I have been trialing it in its different forms and flankers. I came to the conclusion that edt is the one for me, and a bottle of it I now have. It is woody and soapy in the most beautiful way, sparkling, yes it does have a tiny feel of civet, but overall it is utterly elegant. My only complaint, and this goes to all Chanels, is I'm sure past versions performed better. Come on Chanel, I'm certain each time I buy any of your perfumes they get weaker and last less on skin...

I wore this in my twenties when I was at my peak beauty and while some have said that this shouldn’t be a signature, I disagree. If you can carry this, do it. I did and had more than one man fall in love with me. I kind of give this baby some of the credit. It gave me mature woman energy. Mother Earth energy. It’s the only fragrance that when I put it on I swear it transports me back to an era I never lived. Could be the 30s,40s or 50s maybe even the 60s as I would not have been a hippie but a beehive wearing housewife probably on barbituates, but nonetheless fabulous having girlfriends over for bridge night. This scent is just not for the current era and I feel bad for the younger ones that can’t really vibe with this but there may be a few who may sport the pinup aesthetic or glamour girl from a bygone era aesthetic who will adore this and it will adore them back. One spray on my chest and I’m still enjoying this hours later. I have a bottle from 1994 and one from 2012 and they are similar so I can’t comment on any recent compositions, maybe try and find a vintage formula. Spray on your bosom or in your bath water and trust me you will travel back in time for a bit and if it’s for you, you will never be without it after that.

I got to try just a drop of this from a bottle with not much left in it, when I visited a dear old lady I know and love. Don’t know what year it is from. What I do recognize, is that this is a very familiar scent from my earliest childhood: when I was almost a baby. I know my mother had it in her bathroom, and that her handbag had that smell in it. Though, she did not use perfume very often, I think that she may have used it more often when the bottle was new, because what comes to my mind is her, and the feeling of being a very little child, just bathed, and there was my mother. It really has a baby powder feeling to it, as well, and some lovely soap. And that, of course, adds to the feeling. I feel safe. Very feminine and soft I think, and not only motherly, but sensual too. Reassuring, to me. Of the no 5 variations, Eau Premiere is my favourite, and quite different from this one. But I want this one as well - it is another kind of love. I don’t have either - but I dream of to one day afford them both. (Of course edp is interesting for me, too. Want to try it; have only tried the bodylotion once. Breathtaking visit in a flower shop, to me. Didn’t want to wash my hands, that time...)

N°5 EDP is my favourite perfume of all time so I had to try this. The EDT isn't as heavy as the EDP, more aldehydic and more woody. It's also more "well blended" while the EDP has more focus on the florals. A gorgeous fragrance and an absolute masterpiece. I tried this for a second time and I have a feeling that overtime this will become my favourite perfume of all time over the EDP. At times the EDP can feel slightly overwhelming due to a stronger soapy quality like Pears soap to be exact. The bergamot and peach combination in the EDP can be quite piercing. The vanilla in the EDP is also stronger, in the EDT sandalwood is stronger. All of that being said there isn't a drastic difference between these two concentrations like some people make it out to be. It's about nuance. Both concentrations undeniably smell like N°5 and it will ultimately depend on your preferences. I will also say I never fully understood why people compared N°5 to Estee Lauder White Linen and Lanvin Arpege until truly experiencing the EDT, that being said all 3 fragrances are noticeably different outside of the strong aldehydes. I will also note that the EDT at least on my skin has the same strength as the EDP.

Talk about nostalgia! I received this in a swap with a fabulous Fragrantician (thanks, B!), and when I sprayed it on, it reminded me immediately of the No. 5 from my younger years. I know taste is so subjective, and that what was popular once upon a time is dismissed as old fashioned today, but to me this is such a classic, and so gorgeous in the EDT version that I really find it difficult to understand how it can be dismissed so easily by younger people. You don't like the fragrance? That's okay. We all have our lives and dislikes. But to call it - quite rudely, I must say - an "old lady" or "grandmother" perfume is to miss the subtleties that make this so special and still so popular 100 years later. It absolutely blows the EDP out of the water. I remember having a small bottle of the parfum when I was in high school, a gift from my boyfriend. That was sublime. I would love to sample it today, but I am so very happy to have the EDT right now that I don't feel like I'm missing out. And BTW, it also exceeds both the sillage and longevity of the EDP, and the sillage is soft, not harsh. People will smell it when in your personal space. I am overjoyed to have it in my collection!

Nearly a year and a half ago I was testing and retesting the EDP alongside the EDT in-store. I picked the EDT and I've been loving it since. This is the one, she's the one. Breezy aldehydes, citruses, indole, neroli, ylang-ylang, iris, jasmine, rose, and the beautiful warmth that all the classics have. The base is stunning and unique. It mostly smells like powdery sandalwood, warm musks, and a subtle ambery-vanilla blend. The slight bitter woodiness comes from the moss. I love the quiet, gentle sophistication of this perfume base. Unobtrusive, powdery, comforting, and it lasts a long time. What always strikes me about this version of No. 5 is its timelessness. Light and refreshing despite being full bodied and complex, this is a steady seller and a classic for a reason. It was made in the 1950s by Henri Robert, a rather old formulation. Here today it smells absolutely lovely, comparatively less dated than the EDP from the 1980s. 7.31.23 I've been wearing this perfume regularly for almost two years now, all the while searching for the legendary lactonic peach. I finally found it last night while showering. Sour woody peach, plain as day. Praise be.

Funny that the floral accords are so far down the list for Chanel N°5 EDT, as it is so classically and resoundingly a floral fragrance. It’s powdery and lightly musky, even subtly animalic, and the woody notes provide an unobtrusive backdrop—but to my nose it’s a bright and lively floral, first and foremost. I’ve often seen it explained that aldehydes make a fragrance “fly off the skin,” and with N°5 you really feel the truth of that statement—especially with the EDT, which, for all its strength and vigor, is never heavy. There’s a soapiness to N°5 EDT, but it’s a refined, elegant soapiness. I’m aghast that I didn’t bother to smell N°5 EDT until recently. I typically prefer EDPs and assumed that would be the case with this classic as well, but when I happened upon a fifth of a bottle of the EDT at a thrift store for a mere six dollars, I scooped it up on a lark. And I’m so glad I did, as I prefer it to the EDP. I find the EDP, though excellent, can be a bit heavy and self-serious in a way the EDT is not. The EDP smells like femininity, class, and money. The EDT smells like femininity, class, money, liveliness, and wit.