Vanderbilt by Gloria Vanderbilt

I love smelling it on others, but mostly on myself. It’s intense, elegant, powdery, sweet, floral, and ultra-feminine through and through, with makeup notes. Its intensity is a surprise for the price and a feat that, 40 years later, keeps it selling thanks to its quality. It rivals almost any modern perfume in complexity and presence. Is it for everyone? No, it doesn’t seek to please everyone; you either love it or hate it, like any good perfume. Is it for any occasion? Not really, it has its season: it’s suffocating in summer, but in autumn/winter it’s cozy, warm, and enveloping, like a good cashmere sweater. Is it vintage? Yes, but more than vintage, it’s classic. Is it for older ladies? You’d have to have a terrible attitude to associate that term with something outdated or musty, as I’ve read online. It’s the infantilization of society. If you’re curious, try it. It’s a scent of love at first sight… or of hatred. Nobody is perfect.

I tried it in a store yesterday and at first I thought it smelled like that vintage ‘old lady’ scent, but it dried down quickly and I fell in love; it smells like soap and clean. I liked it so much that I bought it today. I can’t believe such a good and long-lasting perfume costs so little (8€ with hand cream).

In my opinion, it stinks and overwhelms my nasal receptors.

In my almost obsessive search for scents from my childhood, I stumbled upon Vanderbilt almost by chance a year ago while looking for classic women’s perfumes in my city. I’d smelled it countless times: several teachers at my school, some mothers, and older sisters of my friends. In the late 80s and most of the 90s, Vanderbilt was everywhere. I didn’t know what it was, but I was fascinated by it more than most women’s perfumes; its scent touched the sublime. When I found out the name and the price, I wanted to buy it just to enjoy it at home, spray it on my arm, and inhale its incomparable white flower essence. I didn’t dare because of its feminine character, thinking the clerk might judge me, or mostly because of what my partner would think seeing a women’s perfume in my collection. But nothing stopped that idea, and soon I won the battle. Weeks later, on a spring afternoon, I left the perfumerie with this marvel and felt happy. Gloria Vanderbilt is a work of art for me; since I got it, many nights I’ve slept in its arms.

A very beautiful and well-made perfume that harmonizes all the notes perfectly, and on my skin, the pineapple note stands out from start to finish. It’s an excellent option at an economical price, but I don’t recommend it to those who can’t handle aldehydes or civet, because there’s a lot of that here. It always makes me feel well-groomed. Its only flaw is the longevity; I wish it were a bit longer-lasting.

I dreamed of this perfume before I even owned it; what an amazing scent! It’s a white-yellow floral that captivates from the very first spray. Aldehydes, pineapple, orange blossom, citrus, ylang-ylang, lilies, jasmine, roses, vanilla, sandalwood, cinnamon, animalic notes, vetiver, and lots of musk. I can’t stop smelling it; it’s like walking into a huge ballroom, the entrance of a theater with classic mahogany staircases, an open space with a plush red floor, enormous vases overflowing with yellow flowers, and a giant Swarovski lamp. Like a mansion foyer with its gold-beveled mirror, cherry console, and Persian rug… so warm! It wraps around me and maybe transports me to those places because it invites me to a zone of familiarity and well-being, the path to a dream, home, comfort, and the company you choose… He chose me with his essence. 🕯️ 9.5/10.🔥

A well-balanced eau de parfum, very feminine, romantic use. Definitely autumnal. Lasting power is more than acceptable. An American perfume on the wild side. What kind of atmosphere does it transport me to? Little Women.

I think I’ve never smelled a perfume as bad as this one; I understand that taste is subjective, but I can’t understand how anyone could like it. A relative gave it to me, and obviously, I didn’t want to be rude, but it smells so vomit-inducing that it’s impossible to wear. Besides having an exaggerated sillage, I never wore it because just spraying it in the air already smelled terrible for a long time. I’ve always felt that the ‘old lady’ smell is subjective and depends on pH, but this perfume would smell like an old lady to anyone. On top of that, it smells very artificial and even dirty; later I found out it contains civet, a gland near a cat’s anus, so I’m glad I never sprayed this on myself. In summary, it’s a fragrance that smells bad and gives me a headache, with an old lady and even urine-like scent. The only ‘standout’ (in quotes, because it doesn’t smell good) is that it has a great trail and good longevity, plus it’s cheap. I wouldn’t recommend it unless it reminds someone of a specific person; in no case would I recommend buying it, as there are thousands of better and cheaper options.

Beautiful perfume, super feminine. Pineapple, rose, and jasmine presented with a vanilla background give it an exquisite touch. When I wore it, I felt elegant beyond what I was wearing. I would use it again because it’s an essential classic.

Gloria Vanderbilt eau de toilette is a fragrance that is strong at first, aldehydic, talcum-based, and white-yellow floral with carnation, sandalwood, and cinnamon, suitable for people 25 and up, cold climates, and formal events. It’s a very serious classic, something similar to Chanel No. 5 but without the vanilla felt in its evolution. Its longevity is 1 to 3 hours, and its sillage is moderate.

Luckily, this is the perfume of my birth year, and it has such an elegant freshness, even in the middle of summer. It’s the first aldehyde that doesn’t smell like glass cleaner like Chanel No. 5; it’s soft, delicate, and feminine. At 25°C with 8 sprays, it doesn’t overpower, lasts about 5 hours, and the bottle, even without the glass cap, remains gorgeous. For under $8.50, it’s worth every penny. I use it year-round, from the beach to parties or even funerals; it looks perfect anywhere.

With Gloria Vanderbilt, I started my perfume-loving adventure. What a special jewel, impossible to forget.

Carnation, neroli, and creamy, honeyed ylang-ylang at full intensity, with a power and longevity that are no longer seen. A perfume in the old-fashioned way, super feminine, powerful, and very sweet. Two sprays fill the room for hours. To my taste, it’s cloying, but if you like those flowers, are tired of fresh perfumes, and want something with personality, don’t hesitate. It has an absurdly low price (7-9 euros) and good quality. Bye.

I was about to buy Elie Saab’s Girl Now, looking for something oriental and warm, but out of curiosity and the price, I grabbed this perfume instead. Now, in autumn, its warm and sunny notes give an incredible sense of well-being. I felt like a bumblebee hibernating in its nest of nectar and yellow petals. Although it’s not listed in the pyramid, I perceive honey and, above all, creamy ylang-ylang with woods in a delicious cocktail. I’m keeping this great discovery.

If, according to some, a perfume smells like ‘old woman,’ what can we say about Chanel No. 5, which so many young girls wear thinking they’re modern? Those who think certain perfumes smell old don’t understand fragrances and are rude for belittling people based on their age. An older woman doesn’t have to smell bad if she takes care of herself. Equating old age with bad smell is absurd, a lack of delicacy, and a lie.