Here is your ultimate guide to the best-smelling Chanel perfumes. Chanel fragrances are just iconic! Not only did Gabrielle Chanel create a real revolution in the fashion world with her simple, elegant fashion of timeless appeal, but she also created a similar revolution in the world of perfume with its first fragrance: the iconic Chanel N°5, introduced in 1921. While at the time, most women wore fragrances made from a single floral note, the Russian perfumer Ernest Beaux created for the Maison a complex scent made of a melange of florals and heady aldehydes.
Now, a century later, Chanel offers a myriad of luxurious scents. And even if you can’t go wrong with Chanel’s fragrances, in today’s article, I wanted to share with you ten of my favorites. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself to a fresh and joyful spring scent, a floral and zesty summer perfume, or a comforting fall fragrance, I’ve included fragrances for every season and every kind of occasion in the list below. Keep scrolling to see the ten best Chanel perfumes that are worthy of a spot on your vanity.
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1. Chanel N°5
Created in 1921 by Coco Chanel and Russian perfumer Ernest Beaux, Chanel N°5 is the world’s first abstract fragrance. The iconic fragrance is a floral bouquet composed of May rose and jasmine and features bright citrus top notes. Aldehydes create a unique presence, while the smooth touch of bourbon vanilla yields an incredibly sensual sillage.
2. Coco Mademoiselle
One of the most classic Chanel perfumes for women, Coco Mademoiselle is a fresh, feminine ambery fragrance. Vibrant orange, accord of jasmine and May rose, accents of patchouli and vetiver.
3. Sycomore
This is one of my favorite Chanel fragrances. Created in 1930, Sycomore is inspired by the noble spirit of autumn and the childhood of Gabrielle Chanel. Composed of the smoky scent of vetiver, with notes of cedar and vanilla.
4. 1957
A sensual accord of white musk is delicately fashioned with floral notes of bergamot, iris, and neroli, woody notes of cedar, powdery accents, and a hint of honey. 1957 is one of my favorite Chanel perfumes!
5. 1932
A sensual, precious accord of jasmine, with notes of pear and grapefruit, is faceted with iris and vetiver. I just adore 1932!
6. N°18
N°18 is a gorgeous fruity fragrance. The warmth of ambrette seeds, enhanced with notes of white musk and geranium, unfurls to leave a vibrant trail.
7. 31 Rue Cambon
A sensual fragrance inspired by the mythic Parisian address. I love the 31 Rue Cambon fragrance! The radiance of a chypre accord heightened with notes of iris, black pepper, and vetiver.
8. Misia
Misia is one of my favorite Chanel perfumes for women. This fragrance reminds me of the comforting and delicate smell of powders and lipsticks. An accord of rose, violet, and iris is warmed with benzoin and tonka bean.
9. Bois des Îles
If you love ylang-ylang, you’ll love Bois des Îles! This spellbinding woody scent is enriched with ylang-ylang for enhanced warmth and mystery, plus sandalwood and tonka bean. A gorgeous perfume.
10. Coromandel
I love this comforting and very warm scent! Coromandel features a heightened musk note, while swirls of frankincense and Andalusian labdanum convey a deep ambery note with smoky accents.
Et voilà! I hope this complete guide to the best Chanel perfumes will help you find your signature Chanel scent. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions.
I’ve always loved Coco, but consider it my evening perfume because it feels fairly heavy (in a good way!) and suited to wearing by candlelight, not daylight! I wanted something lighter for the summer so yesterday I tried the ‘cities’ range (as I think of it – the Les Eaux line) at my local Nordstrom. It came down to Venise or Biarritz, and I decided on Venise. It’s a very ‘romantic’ scent, with Biarritz being a bit more lively. I also sampled Coco Mademoiselle and will probably do that one for autumn/winter – definitely evocative of Coco, but a daytime version of it, to my nose at least!
I love No.19. My beautiful mother gave me a gift of No.19 for my 35th birthday. I still have and cherish the silver atomizer. Wish I knew where to buy the refill. I will soon turn 75. What a wonderful memory of my lovely mother. It squeezes my heart.
Long ago when I was a teenager an older boyfriend bought me my first bottle of sophisticated perfume- Chanel No 19. I never looked back but dumped the boyfriend and buy my own!