Smells like nostalgia! ‘Old lady perfumes’ are back with retro scents released 100 years ago soaring in popularity – so, how many do you remember?

From the rich and smoky scent of Shalimar to Chanel No. From the powdery sophisticated scent of 5, no celebrity collaboration can ever rival the classic perfumes that have been around for the better part of a century.

It’s not just older shoppers who love these; Fragrance fans in their 20s are praising ‘older lady perfumes’ as beauty’s best kept secret on TikTok.

As well as admiring the distinctive aromas of Coty’s Ambre Antique, for example, there’s also a heavy element of nostalgia, with scents such as Miss Dior and Blue Grass bringing back memories of much-loved grandmothers.

Branding expert Natalie Trice told the Daily Mail: “Fragrance trends move in cycles and what we’re seeing now is a strong return to heritage rather than a famous product.”

‘So-called ‘grandma scents’ are not actually age-related; they are about familiarity and permanence in a world that often seems fast and disposable. People Chanel No. When they reinvent perfumes like 5, they draw on a memory, family stories and brands that stand the test of time.

‘From a brand perspective, this resurgence also demonstrates the power of heritage for products that have been around for decades because they convey emotional equity.

‘They remind people of dressing tables, special occasions and the women who came before them, perhaps their grandmothers or favorite aunts. In uncertain times, consumers often gravitate towards things that feel solid and reassuring.’

Natalie explained that young people are now ‘discovering classic scents and treating them almost like cultural artifacts’.

‘Wearing them becomes a statement that values ​​quality, history and timeless style, rather than simply following the latest trend,’ he added.

Read on to rediscover some of the classic scents of the past 100 years and see how many you can remember.

1900s

Debuting at the turn of the century, Floris’ Edwardian Bouquet offered a powerful floral scent that to this day touts ‘eternal modernity and elegance’. Its legacy is so enduring that it has been reintroduced more than once over the years. It experienced a renaissance in 1984. fragranticaThe original formula was rediscovered in the family archives and was rediscovered in 2024. A 100ml bottle will set you back £220 today.

In 1905, nothing was more Parisian chic than a bottle of Ambre Antique, blending fiery notes of bergamot, jasmine, orange blossom and rose. And in 2025, the company launched a special 1,905-bottle drop to commemorate the fragrance’s lasting impact. The 75ml bottle costs £285.

Maison Detaille was founded in Paris in 1905, and its eponymous women’s fragrance has certainly stood the test of time. It is described as having ‘fresh’ floral top notes of violet and jasmine and a ‘darker’ base of oakmoss and sandalwood. A 100ml bottle costs €105, or around £90.

1910s

The designer came up with the L’Heure Bleue fragrance in 1912, inspired by the impressionist scent canvas. The site describes how ‘Jacques Guerlain combines the violet accord and iris with the creamy ivory of vanilla, leaving a fascinating scent trail of both fresh and warm nuances.’ Today a 75ml bottle can be purchased for £133.

This citrusy, unisex fragrance was launched in 1916 and has retained cult status as the epitome of Italian chic after all these years. It stands out with its strong lemon scent and the 100ml bottle costs £156.

Now considered a luxury, Caron’s Tabac Blond summarizes the 20s, when ‘the intensity of leather was blended with the powdery notes of clove’. According to the perfumer, the scent ‘brings together earthy accents of vetiver and patchouli with smoky notes of cistus labdanum and vulcanized styrax essence’. A 100ml bottle costs €410 or £354.

1920s

First released in 1921, this powdery floral bouquet centers around May rose and jasmine; Top notes include bright citrus notes of bergamot, aldehydes, lemon and neroli. A 100ml bottle of this iconic perfume costs £149.

Molinard’s first fragrance, Habanita, is known for its strong, musky and dominant scent. Geranium, jasmine, oak foam and amber can all be collected in this scent, which re-emerged with an even stronger concentration in 2012. A 75ml bottle is available for €104 (equivalent to £89).

The ’50s hit was first released in an iconic bottle in 1925 and hasn’t changed much since. A sensual and sensual, oriental-inspired fragrance with powdery notes of iris, jasmine and rose. Tonic top notes of fresh flowers and bergamot are calm and bold. According to Escentual, the creamy softness of the addictive vanilla, the piercing charm of the iris, the soft roundness of the opoponax and the gourmand warmth of the Tonka bean create an intimate scent symphony for swooning tweens. A 90ml bottle will set you back £137.

1930s

This powerful, heady scent was known for being marketed as a ‘forbidden scent’, advertised with the print of a couple passionately embracing. It evoked sensuality with neroli flower and bergamot in the top notes, which also included musk and cedar. Today, various retailers sell the perfume; A 100ml spray of cologne costs £27.99 on Amazon.

Jasmine, Orange Flower and Ylang Ylang stand out as the strong floral notes of the period. Often described as a ‘sharp’ bouquet, this is the perfect example of a retro powdery perfume made for women of the time. A 100ml bottle can be purchased from Debenhams for £48.75.

Taking its name from the Antoine Saint Exupery novel, which tells the story of a couple separated by an inevitable night fight, this 1933 perfume is a nostalgic powdery scent that brings together galbanum, calendula, bergamot and other citrus notes. A 75ml bottle costs £111.

This nostalgic scent, with top notes of basil, lime and lemon, first appeared in the 30s but remains popular today. According to the brand, ‘the heart features lavender, geranium, jasmine, honey, rose and violet, while the base cushions contain animalistic nuances with rich notes of beeswax, sandalwood, patchouli, amber, cocoa, musk and cedarwood.’ A 100ml bottle of perfume will cost just £13.45.

First released in 1934, Blue Grass by Elizabeth Arden is ‘a fresh, feminine floral bouquet with spicy woody undertones’. According to the designer, ‘opening a bottle of Blue Grass Eau de Parfum Spray is like a momentary trip into the countryside on a hot summer day’. A 100ml bottle can be purchased for £34.

1940s

First launched in 1947, Miss Dior sold well after the war as lighter perfumes became popular. A floral and feminine heart boasts Damascus rose essence and absolute Indian and Egyptian jasmine. A 100ml bottle is available at Selfridge’s for £125.

The designer’s first perfume, a deconstructed version now available, features strong, heady notes of violet leaf absolute and incense essential oils that are synonymous with the decade. French for ‘On’, a reference to the product’s first couture salon at 10 Avenue George V in Paris, a 100ml bottle costs £230.

First released in 1948, this fragrance was sold in large numbers in the 1950s. A fresh and timeless scent blending bergamot, peach and clove with rose and jasmine. The 100ml bottle costs £96.

1950s

Unlike the other scents on this list, Youth Dew was first released as a bath oil in 1953. Rich flowers, rich spices and precious woods make this perfume one of the most sensual scents of all time, with top notes of rose, jonquil and lavender and base notes of moss, vetiver and patchouli. A 67ml bottle costs £60.

Described as a ‘romantic’ scent, this floral perfume combines several fan favorites from the last decade, including lily of the valley, lilac and jasmine. The 100ml bottle is available for £125.

Originally created as a gift for Audrey Hepburn, the main scents behind this nostalgic scent are strawberry, spices, peach and bergamot. Despite being reformulated and relaunched over the years, it remains popular and a 100ml bottle will set you back £139.

1960s

Launched as an ‘elegant’ perfume for the modern woman, Rochas defines Madame as a ‘fragrance mirror that reflects Hélène Rochas and the generation of liberated women who are masters of their own destiny.’ Described as a ‘woody’ scent containing hiacynth, neroli, honeysuckle and bergamot, this scent combines the intense with the fresh and floral. A 100ml bottle costs £35.07.

Released in 1961, Calèche was the luxury designer’s first fragrance for women. According to Hermès, ‘The name reflects the carriages that are the symbol of the Dynasty: a light and elegant horse-drawn vehicle from the 19th century’, adding a sophisticated atmosphere to every user with its scents of jasmine and rose. The 100ml bottle costs £138.

This French brand is as fashionable today as ever, but has remained popular since the 60s. Diptyque is still successful with its L’Eau scent, which brings together geranium, clove, cinnamon and ginger. You can buy a 100ml bottle for £145.

1970s

Herbal notes such as sage and coriander contribute to the fresh and invigorating feeling of this nostalgic scent. It’s available at Harrods, where a 100ml bottle costs £87. According to the site, it ‘starts with toning and astringent qualities that give a sense of calm, while the middle notes are soaked in warm oakmoss with a touch of clean floral scent’. But eventually, ‘you will notice the seductive aroma of patchouli with a warm, woody scent.’

Aliage was first released in 1972 and became popular as an earthy, woody scent. The bottles are still available from online retailers such as Comsetify, with the 50ml perfume set retailing for £69.50.

YSL’s Opium has a lasting legacy with its dark, seductive scent. ‘Opium eau de parfum is a sulfurous and provocative oriental fragrance with an iconic silhouette,’ says the brand. ‘Highly erotic, myrrh goes beyond logic, elevating the senses to the point of breaking the rules. Warm amber notes, both precious and sacred, have always wielded their seductive power.’ A 90ml eu de parfum spray bottle costs £130.

1980s

Nothing screams 80s like powdery, feel-good floral scents – and Givenchy’s Ysatis delivers with notes of white floral bouquet and a patchouli base. You can buy a 100ml bottle for £116.

With a bottle almost as famous as its content, Dior’s poison brings warmth with its fiery blend of honey and musk. The brand also sells multiple versions, including Poison Girl and Pure Poison.

In the 80s, Calvin Klein’s popularity reached its peak thanks to trendy marketing campaigns, and its warm, spicy scent Obsession also enjoyed airplay. Warmth, brightness and freshness are encapsulated with the combination of vanilla in the top notes and sandalwood in the middle notes. A 100ml bottle can be purchased at Superdrug for £30.80.