Miss Worth

I have this affinity for these fruity aldehydic scents that give me this shiver of nostalgia. I've mentioned this in previous writing, but when smelling fragrances from the past that were part of the zeitgeist during my childhood are direct portals to dormant memories. Granted, these memories aren't always lucid, but they often form these melancholic, dream-like sketches in my mind. How perfumes can remind me of my toy box, favorite books, even television programs, may seem incongruous to some—but I am sure many of you out there can relate. Maybe it was the way your own mother smelled, or aunts, teachers, or just those around you —you may not have known them at all, they could've been passers by. A child's mind and its pure hippocampus absorbing all sensory information, locked deep, archived, forgotten, only for a perfume to open up sensations that may not have been felt in years. Miss Worth may not be one of the most incredible fragrances of its kind, but there is something about the way it did this for me upon its first spray after receiving it in a fragrance swap. Perhaps it helps that it comes in this charming bottle with the pattern on the glass—I recall such stuff from when I was a kid in the 80s (of which so much from the 60s and 70s was still everywhere). It does remind me of Estée and Moon Drops: that similar flash of sharp and spicy sunshine, raspberry tang, lily of the valley green chill, and sweet-benzoin, woody simmer. I thought of a fun activity: wearing this while pulling out some old newspapers and magazines from the time, and to see what memories I can further stir up, or even what story or two I could generate through the imagery and smell. Maybe even visiting a library and browsing through old microfilm or microfiche. I could also think of what women wore this. What men did (most likely surreptitiously). These are some things to consider while wearing Miss Worth.

Surprisingly subtle for a 70s maximalist fragrance. very well blended floral/fruity benzoin. I have a 10ml bottle, not sure of its age, and the sprayer doesn't really work. I managed to get some out, maybe it's stronger if you manage to spray properly. It's sophisticated, mature but still youthful; I don't get "old lady" vibes at all. Not casual for me, this should be worn by someone with fashion sense. I tried it on a sunnier winter day and it was well suited to that weather. Vintage lovers will not be disappointed. EDIT: I had to come to this to praise it some more. It's seriously perfection. The way the fruits are blended to the florals is exquisite. The spices balance it out so well, no one note ever hogs the spotlight. It's so golden and welcoming, like that friend who always cheers you up when you are down just by their presence. I wonder if anything in contemporary perfumery has ever come near this level of baroque blending? Maybe Roja Dove? Why aren't more people emulating this!!!??? It's beyond lovely!!!!

(for the vintage EDP in glass flower bottle, brown lid) Today this fragrance delighted me. I wore it for a walk in cool wet weather in the woods and it seemed to be the perfect setting for it. I got a lot of carnation and floral throughout and I really love that play against all the woody notes.It's warm soft unique...I love it. And so many notes are discernible, it evolves in a beautiful way. I am so happy that I found a bottle at a thrift store for $1.99! Lucky find, a keeper, and can be had on ebay for a great price.

My wife had this in the 90 always reminded both of us of a vintage rubber doll smell

This is a strange fragrance -- quite unlike anything else yet very well put together. On first spray, it comes across as complex -- richer yet far more subtle than Je Reviens (the latter, these days, smelling more and more like disinfectant). As Miss Worth settles, on me it takes on an almond-like bitterish smell. I don't detect the peach at all but the vanilla is there for sure. There is no single flower that is discernible so it would appear that this is well thought-out and formulated without any one thing sticking out too much. Even so, it's not what you'd wear for evening. This is most definitely a daytime casual, with casual clothes. I have a vintage bottle so yes, it most certainly contains oakmoss, which makes a huge difference. Dread to think what the reformulation is like.