I like many different types of fragrances, but classics like Chanel No. 19 – so polished and evergreen – hold a special place in my olfactory taste and always trigger the best memories. I instantly loved Chanel No. 19 when I tried it as a young girl and still very much do.
Over the years, I have often opened the small Eau de Toilette bottle I received around age 12 and dabbed it on my skin to inhale its incredible scent. Over time, I acquired a few more versions of Chanel No. 19 and I’m happy to show you my little vintage collection, a homage to the fragrance’s beauty and a symbol of its sentimental value for me. I always go back to the Eau de Toilette, so my impressions here are mostly based on this version.
The fragrance is noble and sophisticated with an effortless, poetic beauty that evokes calm and quietude. It has the ephemeral and aloof character typical of green chypres, which I naturally associate with classic elegance and allure. Yet, I learned that it cannot be considered a true chypre because it doesn’t include patchouli.
Painted in watercolor with strokes of shimmering green, feathery purple, and opalescent white, Chanel No. 19 brings together a glowing transparency of fine soap bubbles, delicate powders, and soft woods.
The biting green opening stars galbanum and smells like freshly cut grass with drops of dew. If you are familiar with the aroma of galbanum resin, you might have noticed a sort of culinary verdancy that reminds me of a cucumber and tomato salad with hints of garlic. However, galbanum’s vegetal magic comes alive only when expertly blended. Although aldehydes aren’t present, I still seem to get that cool and fizzy vibe that those molecules confer to so many classic fragrances. Maybe the sensation is conveyed by the combination of galbanum and citruses.
The heart features a sheer iris bouquet interspersed with hushed floral notes of rose, lily of the valley, and jasmine. The powdery quality isn’t what you might expect from a fragrance that evokes glamorous facial powders, sultry boudoirs, or cozy baby powder. Instead, Chanel No. 19’s powderiness is light and impalpable and its scent is closer to that of the actual iris flower petals – at once green, earthy, and delicately doughy.
Over time, the fragrance becomes dry and soothing with silky woods, moss, leather, and vetiver, which together create an airy and graceful base.
If you enjoy galbanum, iris, and, ethereal green floral fragrances with a chypre-like vein, you should try Chanel No. 19. The lovely green juice in my Eau de Toilette bottle nicely matches the fragrance’s luminous verdancy.
Chanel No.19 was created in 1971 by Henri Robert, the same perfumer of the sparkling green chypre Cristalle, Eau de Toilette. It is also the last fragrance Madame Chanel signed off on before her death.
Notes:
Top: galbanum, neroli, bergamot, hyacinth
Middle: jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, iris
Base: vetiver, sandalwood, leather, musk
All the versions of Chanel No. 19 featured here are from my collection and were purchased by me or received as gifts from my family. The picture was taken by me.
Do you enjoy Chanel No.19 and what versions have you tried? Let me know your thoughts!
I smelled Chanel 19 a few times over the years and just couldn’t handle it. I am pretty sure I wasn’t ready for it. I feel ready now and would love to find MY 19. So I can’t answer regarding the formulation I prefer but I can say I own a small parfum extract that belonged to my grandmother and it is still going strong. It is beautiful. I have a feeling that as with other Chanels, the edt might be the best version but I really need to get my nose on it again.. as well as the poudre..
I felt that way about Chanel No. 5. I just couldn’t take it but learned to appreciate it over time. I still prefer Chanel No. 19 through. The parfum that belonged to your grandmother sounds like a gem. That’s a wonderful version along with the EdT, which are my two favorites. Thank you!
I wore 19 on my twenties and your post has moved me to revisit the scent. So many events in my life have been associated with scent. I’ll have to see what memories rise.
I’m happy to hear this inspired you to go back to trying it. Enjoy those memories.
From your wonderful pic alone, there’s no doubting your love for this bona fide classic, dear Damiana. I’m most familiar with the EDP, so need to explore the other versions too.
Thanks, Rich! I hope you get to try the other versions too.
I love Chanel No. 19, it’s one of my absolute favorites. I have it in the vintage eau de toilette, which I think is ideal. I’d love to try the parfum extrait some time, though.
It’s an incredibly elegant version! The extrait just takes that translucence to a whole new level , with added richness. Thank you for stopping by! 🙂