Edwardian Bouquet

For anyone who is quick to regard a fragrance as smelling "dated" or use uncouth comparisons to old age and, even worse, nursing homes, just move right along. There is nothing for you to smell here. Edwardian Bouquet, especially in this 1984 form, smells antique even for the time of its re-launch, and that's what captivates me. It's rich, it's grand, and it's core is hyacinth and rose in powdered form on a bed of even more powdery oakmoss. It elicits the image of cottage garden flowers in an amphora, displayed on a banquet table, blooms just past their prime, but alluring to the nose in their ever increasing decay and their advancing wilt. You just want to keep smelling their curious finitude and marvel at their fading colors. The galbanum is a pastel color, the soap is embossed with a cameo, and the tender nibbles of longing for a past one's never known comes through in a plangent woodiness and shadowy forest fustiness. The body-heat and nether-region musks, as, after all, babies must be made. Even those who find rapture in the most historic-smelling perfumes must gird their loins for Edwardian Bouquet. A dandy could wear this when feeling a little randy, as the duality between the conservative veil of this bouquet and the secret desires of a convivial society would be just perfect. It seems that a green gown is imminent—'youth is wasted on the young' Shaw (or Wilde?) once said. If so, to Hell with it, embrace the ebbing, fully curled blooms of hyacinths and wear some damn old-fashioned perfume.

I am expecting a FB of this beautiful green and fresh spicy floral from jomashop but it is late arriving so I bought some samples on fragrancenet along with a backup of Floris White Rose. Edwardian Bouquet leans feminine but I would absolutely love this on a man as well. Gorgeous mossy green forest floor opening but as it settles the flowers start to bloom on a bed of velvety moss. Roses, hyacinth, ylang, jasmine, touches of a sweet and fresh spicy orange grove nearby. The dry down is a beautiful powdery green mossy sandalwood amber. This is exquisite. Many will think it is "dated" but if you love shows like Downton Abby you will appreciate the beauty and elegance of this wonderfully crafted perfume. I cannot wait for my FB. Floris is one of my favorite houses. They are keeping their heritage and also creating new beauties for the 21st century like Purple Memoir and Celest as well. Smelling this takes me back to the feeling I got when looking through pictures of European royalty in my encyclopedia Britannica as a child. A very very formal fragrance worthy of royalty.

I have had this one for a week and only now feel comfortable reviewing it. To me, this one is more a chypre than anything else and smells so similar to Lanvin Arpege that the two could be twin sisters. It is so very much the Edwardian fragrance, there is a close kinship with Mitsouko by Guerlain. A cousin perhaps. I have sprayed this one many times over the past week as I have really wanted to find its nuances. Today I did something different, I sprayed it, then followed a little while later with a True Rose fragrance and WOW! Suddenly this is flowery green and utterly beautiful! This fragrance is definitely on for the ages, it is an olfactory time machine with all that a fragrance called 'Edwardian' imparts. Not for the faint hearted, or the modern hearted. I do like it very much and do not regret buying it.

This has been my signature scent for many years. Since the price increased, I unfortunately can't afford to buy it as often as in earlier years. I love the elegance of this scent, the unique combination of fresh, floral and woody- powdery notes. I've never smelled something like it. I love how it lingers on fabric ls like velvet or wool. I was drawn to this scent out of my passion for all things Victorian: I was looking for one of the oldest scents still available with original formula and fell deeply in love with it. In my opinion it's a masterpiece.

I don't care how this is marketed. Guys, don't run away from florals. This stuff is amazing. Dewy garden anchored by a forest feel undertone. A touch of powder throughout. But I rocked this yesterday and loved every second. Mostly a skin scent but almost 7 hours out of it. Beautiful stuff. Shout out the the Fragrantica community. As I received this in a box of samples graciously given by one of the members. Looking forward to diving into that box. This was my first wear and it is amazing.