Mouchoir de Monsieur

If you see my first review below, you will wondering why i write a new one. The story starts at the office, one day we were discussing some perfumes with colleagues. i told them that there is a Guerlain that it stinks, smells like shit powdered. All asked which is this perfume and i promised to bring a sample at launch. When i returned to the office with the sample and gave it for a try, i was impressed by the reaction...words like "strange, nice, attractive and very nice" were among those expressed. I really wondering what is going on with this perfume...it is THE controversial perfume...it stinks, it smells, is nice, is shit, is sweet is dusty, is flowery is animalic...definitely a great creation but out of date. Personally, i am not the kind of man who has boundaries on perfumes...i wear everything that is not common but i still try to understand if i like it or not, if i love it or hate it, if it smells or stinks...definitely, i will give it a try on the skin and will see what i get....maybe i buy it soon...or today. The whole thing starts dusty floral and then, civet vanilla and other spices come into the game. the best phase of this perfume is the middle and drydown. There you will smell what this perfume is....the overloaded civet with its sweetness, spiciness...what else to say? A pure man's perfume, the beginning of the century...you have to own a classic beautiful car like an Alfa Romeo, dressed with scarf to be chic, have a pencil moustache like a true English gentlemen, be manly handsome like Clarke Gable and behave with the rules of savoir vivre...At least this perfume does not smell like all other and more than anything else, like 1 million....oh god! you dont smell it in the streets, in the office, in the parties, in the restaurants, in the bus, in the garage, in the theatres, in your friend's house.... How does it smell like? it is like you have spilled some honey from some flowers in an ashtray where there is some dried pee from the previous day.... this perfume to stand in our days where everything is dominated by the fresh "out of shower" smell for men, is very remarkable....try and then you buy...dont buy if not try but you can try and not buy. :-) definitely a winter perfume, you cant wear civet unless the temperature is 14C or less. UPDATE: you cant imagine how this perfume changes when there is cool outside...maybe the bigger change in the perfume industry. once i sniff it in summer, it was very suffocating and disgusting giving you the impression of a very strong animalic scent but when i read some review the last weeks, everyone was say how beautyful is...and there it is. it is indeed very beautyful and unique. i haven't checked Jicky so far but definitely i will do so once i have the change. The only problem which was mentioned is the starting, the first 5-10 minutes although the citrus and lemon verbena are very pleasant, they is something very dusty that makes it dated in a way....once this is passed, then you are left with a lovely lavender and vanilla with civet giving warm to the bouguet. The longevity and sillage is not so good and stays close to the skin after the first 1-2 hours but a perfume like this, cant be so strong because it will destroy everything. I believe that the current reformulation lost a lot of civet together with longevity...indeed, the longevity is nearly bad and i cant understand why. About two years ago, when i first smelled that, it was a monster...now what is going wrong, i dont know....maybe power was sacrificed for the versality.

I was introduced to Mouchoir de Monsieur during a visit to the terrific Colonial Drug in Newton MA (formerly in Harvard Sq, Cambridge, MA) by the owner a few years ago. I was just beginning to explore the house of Guerlain, having only been really aware of Habit Rouge and Vetiver at the time. As it was sprayed on the paper strip (and in due time, my own skin) I was immediately intrigued by the history Mouchoir represented: in the very midst of the Edwardian era of British history, it epitomizes the dandy of this time period. The dandy has his accessories: his monocle, his boutonnière, silk hat, cane, and his handkerchief (mouchoir). The handkerchief is lustrated with a fragrance for his delight. Mouchoir de Monsieur IS this lustration and it's a delight to the right of set of nares, with its opening fanfare lavender, verbena, and bergamot and a noticeable Guerlain 'DNA,' if you will. However, something happens just mere seconds in: something a little, hmm, impertinent, just a tiny bit sullied and profane. This isn't a Disney depiction of the Edwardian era, let's just say. These dandies may have very well had some skeletons in the closet and Guerlain knows the importance of code (perhaps this was the first hanky 'code'?). Even the cleanest pair of drawers laundered in orange blossom water may have residual spots of...er...micturition by eveningtide that could be perceived as naughty and sensual. Mouchoir de Monsieur deftly represents it here, but it does not wear out its welcome (was it invited? who cares!) as moss, iris and florals distract you just enough from this lascivious civet (why is it not a listed note??) so that you start to think it wasn't out of place at all. It may actually BE the representation of both the dandy's rapier wit and unspoken sexuality. Remember, this is all understated. Mouchoir is certainly not a beast, but it's definitely not a wallflower, either. It's all theory though, and in the end, a dry down of classy yet melancholic Guerlainade brings it all back home after a detour into debasement and secrecy. It's all really relatable in a way. One of my absolute favorites.

Time. We do not have enough. Time to move slowly, gentleness with great power. Time for a luxurious shower, time to properly dry off, crop the disorderly whisker at the corner of the lip. Time to take a few sprays of Mouchoir de Monsieur then contemplate the day's outfit and draw your mind into focus while the discordant elements of cat piss and acrid lavender, rough workmen, assemble the most refined assemblage of jasmine and rose. Perhaps that white necktie really will work with that shirt? Rose, jasmine, two of the floral kingdoms most distinctive notes, are bound together by the perfumer's art as Plato's charioteer harnesses reason and passion to drive onward towards enlightenment. The soft under-notes, barely detectable tonka and civet, order the floral scents and speak of control and authority over nature and beauty, recalling the classical manhood of the master and commander. Perhaps the most masculine, and yet softest, scent in my collection. Minimal silage, though, having a rather independent streak, it has a tendency to take a short stroll on its own now and then, inevitably resulting in at least a glance and a smile that shows appreciation for your keeping such good company. While discreet, Mouchoir de Monsieur is indefatigable, applied in the morning, enduring a day in the office, a trip to the gym and a quick shower, I can take my evening repose with the faint and reassuring air of knowledge that I rest as the master of my domain. Lovely stuff, highly suitable for enthronements, inaugurations, third dates, promotions, and any other event for which you will be knowingly fabulous. I think a mere mortal might exhaust himself with the effort of wearing it too much. This could not be my signature scent unless I had a full time valet, dresser and driver. But if you can wear it now and then, you should know that you have what it takes to get it done as a man.

This the most strange perfume I came across for the last years....It does not smell, it stinks. It starts so dirty and animalic that your wondering how someone can wear such a perfume. Later and when the perfume dries on the skin, it terns to be soapy with some dirty citrus slightly sweet. If you have not tried it, give it a try. It is something that you never smelled before. Beyond amber, I was definitely that there were some animal resources there but in any case, I never expected such ingredients. It is a pure man's perfume but not for the younger crowd. You get something attractive at last but also something dirty/smoky/vanillic with civet although is not listed in the ingredients. Kouros is another one animalic/civet perfume but this is much more difficult to wear than Kouros. Try it but be careful because maybe you will sleep outside during the night because your wife will not allow you to enter the house. the last years with all these new citrus/clean/fresh aquatic perfumes, make this to be one of a kind and something that will never be produced again. Someone who likes jardin du nil from matre parfumeur et gantier, may like this one also. UPDATE: Obviously, the perfume was tested in wrong weather....and there, it stinks...try it in cool weather and you will be amazed how things change......in hot weather, the civet seems too strong and the perfume suffocating

Jicky is believed to be one of the first (secret) unisex fragrance, a fragrance androgynous enough to sit in the middle of the spectrum of what is conventionally acceptable for each gender to wear. Now what happens if maintain the signature sparkly bergamot lavender Guerlain swirl in the top and fluffy vanilla in the base, amp up the animalic civet-like elements and bring out more masculine 'barbershop' facets, while also maintaining the rich neroli rose floral backdrop? You get Mouchoir de Monsieur, aka another historical early 1900s masterpiece by Guerlain. As the name also suggests, this is 'the handkerchief of a gentleman', gentle sweet vanillic florals on the outside (a feminine residual from Jicky), concealing the pungent animalic dry aromatic essence of man. 11/10 perfection. The absolute specimen of French oriental perfumery. Unfortunately it is very difficult to pull off unless you are wearing full formal attire. This is my father's signature scent and even a mature gentleman like him, who is almost exclusively wearing a suit, saves it for the most extravagant of occasions, and rightfully so. Personally I find it strikingly virile for how sparkly, sweet and tender it may first seem.

“There are only two good Fougère’s, Jicky and Mouchoir de Monsieur - all the rest are for truck drivers” - Jean-Paul Guerlain. A bold statement from the man himself, and a clearly biased one, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Mouchoir de Monsieur is one of the greatest Fougère’s ever made. Released 15 years after the revolutionary Jicky, perhaps to give society enough time to adjust to such an outrageous scent, this beauty was born. This retains a lot of similarities to Jicky, with many describing it as the masculine counterpart. Lavender is front and centre, alongside copious amounts of citrus, bergamot and lemon in overdose. It also utilises the same base of coumarin and vanillin to provide some sweet creaminess, but lacks the sandalwood and rosewood which Jicky has. Overall, it really does smell like a more masculine version of Jicky. It’s intensely aromatic and herbal with sharp citrus to compliment, but with the softness in the base toned down - you’re left with something much more bold and daring. It smells far more dry and almost dusty, as though the scent of an old eau de cologne lingers on a vintage suit gathering dust. Absolutely impeccable perfumery.

This surely must be the softest and most luxurious fragrance for men of all time. From the fruity lavender top to the dusty ambered base, this fragrance awes with its subtle beauty. This is something to the effect of Chanel No. 5 for men in its perfect sillage and refined character. The lived-in skin feel of the fragrance portrays something akin to cleanliness without being too clean, an effect that is universally irresistible to all people around you. Its subtle sweetness reaches out to others very gently and draws them in. Perhaps others don't even know it's a fragrance. I have never received more compliments with any other fragrance than I have with Mouchoir de Monsieur. This is by far the highest expression of men's perfume I've ever encountered. It's a shame that it isn't marketed better. I just hope Guerlain never decides to pull the plug on this one. Wear exactly 5 sprays to get the perfect dose. It is an EDT, but it wears a bit like the classic Guerlain EDCs(namely the Jacques Guerlain classics in EDC strength). You will immediately be recognized as the most tasteful individual in the room.

I love Mouchoir de Monsieur to distraction. I first smelt it on the street, just outside the European parliament in Strasbourg, where I stumbled upon a gentleman walking out of the main building after a parliamentary session, a dapper, sophisticated middle-aged man with such a sillage that I had to retrace my steps and be so bold as ask him what the wonderful scent was. I headed straight to the next fragrance shop, ordered it, bought it and have been happy with it for years. I treasure it as it is not sold any more at present. They are having a hard time at Guerlain, I've heard, getting a hold of all necessary ingredients to make this. It is a magnificent classical fragrance for men, but with such a Guerlain touch! For me what stands out is the lavender, naturally, but also the rose, the patchouli, the oak moss and certainly the bergamot. And oh, the drydown has softening, luscious amber with a hint of vanilla, exquisite. I would love to smell this on my husband but he - pity poor me! - does not care a fig for perfumes... So well, what choice have I got? I happily wear it!!!

Go for a vintage bottle only; anything before the late 80's... and yes there is A LOT of "before the late 80's" in this case thanks God, it comes all the way from beginings of 20th century! Even if there will be so few bottles out there one can hunt down, all you will ever need is one. This is not a fragrance to wear, this is something precious to treasure and go back to when occasion imposes. Lavander, iris and gerlinade all combined but not in a liquid form. It is as if Mouchoir is a linen-dried form of a fragrance, so powdery and airy that all fruits, petals and juices are somewhat hidden in the fabric. A fougere where civet hides and never really sees the sun. Yet it is there. Sure, we can make links to Jicky, Shalimar, even later with Habit Rouge (less than the mentioned two?), but what’s the point? Mouchoir de Monsieur speaks of a time when there was so little going on in fragrance names and launches and campaigns and marketing... that the least we can do is looking it straight in the eyes, as opposed to dissect and negotiate. It is a master piece. Period.

Call me weird but I'm drawn to skank! And when I say that I don't mean funky BO or the such, but the idea of something not being pristine. I've never liked the idea of my cloths looking brand new or my shoes to look like they are fresh from the box. I don't know why. Now, don't take me wrong. I'm a very neat dresser and my wife is FAR from what you would even remotely put in the category of "skanky". I just like to come across as "real" a guess. So, it goes the same with fragrances. I have a lot of perfumes and I love them all, but I lean to what smells "human". Kouros, I love it. Hammam bouquet, very intriguing. Just ordered leather oud so we'll see how that turns out. With all that said, I love this fragrance. I love the opening "skank". It just makes it real to me for some strange reason. I love the dry down. Everything about mdm is just amazing to me. Yes, it's close to the skin in silage but that's cool to me. I think it's supposed to come across as a "hint" rather than a smack in the head.

When people discuss old school fragrances they often talk about fragrances from the 90's, 80's, 70's... So it's something that you may have smelled on your older brother or father. Here we are a few steps further. It's something that my great-grandfather may have worn. This is the smell of men at the beginning of the 20th century and just for the curiosity of it I had to buy it. And I mean blind buy it, since no store in Belgium had a tester. I did not hate it. But I think it is too dandy-esque for me, in a Hammam's Bouquet way. I don't know if I feel confident enough to wear this. Also, I found the opening quite harsh. Unfortunately, the experience was short-lived as I accidentaly broke the bottle 90% full. Shame, I would have loved to experiment with this perfume in the long term and see if I could actually get on with it. Again it's such a secret perfume that few people even know its existence, it will never be a crowd pleaser and just for that I wanted us to be friends. One day, maybe?

This is such a beauty. Yes, it has the same bergamot-aromatics-tonka-animalic chord as Jicky, but it definitely feels more distinctly about the lavender and is less a grand perfume like Jicky (I don't get a huge rosewood, sandalwood and some spices like I do with Jicky). The florals also feel a bit softer (more jasmine and white flowers?) than Jicky and I feel like the verbena/geranium work nicely to make it feel a little closer to that original fougere structure. All versions I've smelled have been lovely, though the pure parfum I have from the 50's is deeper, a bit more powdery, rounded, and ambery. Sadly, it also kind of disappears into skin, though sometimes reappears with heat much later. Interestingly enough, when I actually put the parfum version on a "mouchoir" (any kind of tissue or paper) and it reaches the final drydown, when I "reactivate" it with heat or a breath, even days later, the lavender-tonka chord so beautifully stands out in a way that it doesn't on skin.

A wonderful flanker of Jicky but, as a Jicky cultist, I have to specify I prefer the original. Mouchoir de Monsieur EDT (which I have) is somewhat more citric, less vanillic and more herbal than my Jicky (which is in extrait). Through much time spent with these fragrances I've grown to like Jicky's slightly less sweet composition even more than Shalimar's (though I still love this one too) but the dearth of vanilla in MdM makes it a slightly less pleasurable experience for me. MdM is more of a cologne-like scent with a touch of civet, at least in EDT, I don't find it enormously different to Jicky (to the point where I declare it's redundant to own both). Sadly discontinued, I write this review for anyone in the future who won't get a chance to smell MdM to reassure that there's nothing here which Jicky doesn't also deliver on. The discontinuation of Jicky extrait, however, truly is a tragedy...

Love this and hate it too... Bought it a week or so ago and, on spraying (sparingly, having been warned by posts here) thought,"Oh, nice, citrus, lavender"...then, after 30 seconds, or so....eurgh!!! Cow Byer, halitosis, wino that I sat next to on the bus... Truely hideous, filthy and noisome. Thank goodness it settles down after a couple of minutes to a much more respectable, masculine, floral scent, with just a hint of animal, like the smell of a puppy's ears, still haunting it. can't decide if part of the pleasure of wearing this, though, is the relief when the overpowering animal notes subside. Still, like the faithful disciple, I understand that if this fragrance disturbs me (and it does) then the fault is mine....Messrs Guerlain may do no wrong.

I am allergic to lavender oil, in a big, bright red rash way. As a result, I can't say I'm very keen on the scent of lavender; I have a sort of Pavlovian fear response when I smell straight lavender oil. It makes it hard to get a decent massage, unless I call ahead and warn them, because apparently lavender is supposed to be universally calming, and not make you begin itching on contact. So it is always a total mystery to me when men's fragrances manage to incorporate lavender so beautifully that I fall into immediate love with them. Mouchoir has a beautiful lavender, then a creamy citrus and an even creamier vanilla. I feel as if I could bathe in it, and get only a contact high. Irresistible.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this bottle at NM this weekend. I only thought it was at NM in SF. I tried it immediately, since it's been over two years since I tried it there, I remember it just the same - short lived on my skin. For this reason I could pout! I really wanted this to last on me, it's truly a beautiful scent with such wonderful history - I guess I'll give Jicky a fresh try along with Caron Pour Homme. I have the hardest time spending good cash on something so fleeting. Maybe it lasts better on clothing? JG 042312 Rating: 8/10 for longevity but 10/10 for the fragrance!

Feeling of returning to where you belong - home. Same vibe gives me Jicky, but Jicky is more animalic. Might be that lavender soothes me so well, or I just love Guerlain house more than I have imagined. It's soft and reasonably simple, but I have to say it is the most mysterious and somewhat Medieval scent I had chance to find so far. To me it is an aristocratic Frenchman with long genealogy, all he needs is just being himself to be noticed by miles for his classy appearance and posture. I need a bottle, oh yes, I do! Thanks to AyelFior for the sample!

I have quite a few Guerlain fragrances and this is for sure one of the best I own. It is expensive these days, but if you can get it around 200USD, it's worth it to me. It is really not meant to be smelled close up for the first 10-15 minutes, it is quite harsh, but after that it's really nice, like a masculine take on Shalimar, which I love. Really great stuff. Spicy and rich.

I love how rich and calming this one smells. Lavender, vanilla, iris, and citrus notes are the key structures. Oakmoss is quite exist here but not dominating as you'd find in tons of vintages out there, and the florals are cheering up the tone. Never got a chance to smell the legendary Jicky but Mouchoir de Monsieur reminds me a lot with Eau de Lavande Annick Goutal.

موشواغ دو ميسيو .. كيف اصف هذا العطر ..!! هذه عطور تكاد تكون لحظية .. دقائق معدودات و للأنها كذلك كانوا فيه من الزاهدين ..!! .. افتتاحية حمضية منعشة من الليمون واللافندر .. و الكثير الكثير من الزباد الصناعي ١٠ دقائق .. ليست بالكثير حتى يظهر الآيس لينتهي عمر هذا العطر .. ١٥ عشر دقيقة تحبس الانفاس .. هل تستطيع ..!! .. الجمال ٩/١٠