Sex Pistols

Now that I finally have a full bottle, I figured I'd write a proper review. I've always been a big fan of punk & I am a fan of the Sex Pistols, however, I am not biased based on the name of this perfume. This perfume could've been named after the 80s teen group Menudo and I still would've loved it (although the Menudo name would've definitely pained me greatly). As a matter of fact, I'm kind of on the fence that this is even called Sex Pistols...it seems a bit silly to me and I was hoping when I finally found such a great perfume that it would be..I dont know, not named after a band/celebrity? But perhaps there is a supreme irony to this that could be fully appreciated.....it's a perfectly blended gorgeous scent named after one of the filthiest punk bands that ever lived (one example: lead singer, Johnny Rotten refused to take showers) This smells like it's supposed to be on my skin, like it's meant to be there. I dont know how else to explain that. I put it on, and it smells like the inside of me is on the outside. This is pepper, pruney plum, leather, patchouli, light aldehydes, and lemon (the lemon I do not smell at all..no big deal). I wore this all day today, my work day is approx. 10-11 hours..this perfume lasted about 6. And it was the best 6 I ever had..(ha). As soon as I came home, I sprayed more on, because I missed it that much during the second half of my work day. I think this perfume is discontinued, or returning with a brand new unfortunate dopey name (Malaise of the 1970s), hopefully with the same formula. But just in case, I am already preparing to buy at least 2 more bottles of Sex Pistols so I have plenty on hand before it becomes totally unavailable in its orginal version. I am beginning a long term relationship with this scent, and if I decide to marry it, I may finally have my signature. For someone as non-committal as I am, this is a big day indeed. Also of note: this can defintely be worn by either sex, it's right down the line

Having just entered Junior High when the Sex Pistols ended, I got to know them during the Post Punk explosion that led to Goth and New Wave...but loved them anyway! So in-your-face and angry, yet they caught the feeling of self-expression, independence and cool cynicism unlike any other. ELd'O caught their essence here, very well... The cold fruity opening of lemon (almost frozen) and metallic aldeydes (safety pins and studs?) along with an almost powdery pepper note is just fantastic...really gets your attention! The development brings a dried plum (prune) note that is warm and tasty. The musky ambrette seeds and heliotrope are just great together: something dry and sweet, but woody and cool. The leather here is softer than the normal birch tar type, more like vinyl pleather or patent leather...shiny and smooth. The patchouli, I assumed would mirror the defiant earthiness of the band's music, is rather refined but sweetly raw. This is aromatic and spicy, but so much more. A must-have for anyone who likes something a little out of the ordinary that says: "Hey! Yeah I'm different, so what!?!" Sillage: good Longevity: quite decent Overall: 4/5 This smells unlike anything I have ever smelled! It is nowhere near as loud and obnoxious (in a good way) as the music of the Sex Pistols...but definitely something different and very British, modern and wild! This is definitely a unisex fragrance. You may love it, you may hate it...but in true punk fashion-it could care less!

I love the Sex Pistols and John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) is one of my biggest inspirations. I think the guy is a genius and more people should listen to him now that he's actually willing to talk to the press. So, naturally, as tacky as I thought the idea was at first, I had to try this fragrance - not only because of the name and concept, but also because it's an Etat fragrance, Etat Libre d'Orange being a house that continues to impress me with their unique creations. Well, surprisingly enough, this is a chypre, and it's very similar, as others have noted, to Eau/Elixir des Merveilles. However, I would say this one has more of a dry woodiness to it, and it's a bit more resinous and less sweet. I admire the fact that, despite there being no oakmoss in this, it manages to stay true to the chypre smell. I always loved chypres - they're more fun and flexible than fougeres, which is probably why this is the perfect choice for a Sex Pistols fragrance; it's carefree, wild, yet fun and lovable. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved for this fragrance to have some skanky animalic accords, but they could have done A LOT worse than this. Oh, and the packaging rules. A suitable homage to one of my favorite bands, and a fantastic modern chypre. If you're looking for a good, wearable chypre, this is the one for you - whether you're a guy or a girl.

I really don't know much about the Sex Pistols but I'm pretty sure this isn't the smell of anarchy! ELdO Sex Pistols is easygoing - friendly, even. He is that tall, rugged and handsome guy in your family who is such a catch but doesn't realize he is. This is an easy ELdO to get along with: that familiar, buzzing, slightly medicinal opening is still there but it soon develops into a twin of Hermes Eau des Merveilles - salty and leathery and just a tad sweet. The drydown also reminds me of Terre D'Hermes. As Octavian Coifan points out in his 1000fragrances review, Sex Pistols never quite "lifts off" - it does stay fairly close to the skin and longevity lacks. That said, this remains comfortable, wonderful and well put together. I'll be buying at least 2 more bottles (currently going for next-to-nothing online) just in case it's on its way out. To be worn with a cashmere sweater... if perhaps not with a leather jacket and safety-pins. UPDATE: I just read on the Etat Libre d'Orange website that Sex Pistols will be re-packaged and re-named as Malaise of the 1970s. Presumably the same formula, but we won't know just yet.

Great perfume, but you have to look at it as not connected to Sex Pistols. If you want punk in a bottle, go look elsewhere in the ELdO line or go to GdC. Or don't take a shower for a good six months. But don't expect it here. That being said, this is no tame perfume either. Just too wearable. There's a great fruity peppery citrus opening, with some prune thrown in. And then you get a rather sharp peppery, woody (iso-E super?) patchouli drydown, with a light hint of fruitiness. This pruney fruitiness grows stronger and a slightly salty ambery leather accord starts to blend with it. All this time pepper dominates though, making this a rather dry fragrance with a paper like quality. Sex Pistols leans to the masculin side of the fragrance spectrum, but I really love to wear it, especially because of the paper quality, I just love the scent of books (Sex Pistols and BOOKS?!?) Best thing about it is that it can be had for 18 something euros on eBay (in, might I add, a very very fun packaging)! So, if you happen to be interested in Malaise of the 1970's, check this one out first, they're virtually the same.