Summery yet sophisticated perfume.

[Iamcalledclaire]

I'm off to Rome at the weekend and want to buy a perfume at the airport on the way.

I'm usually into quite heavy oriental fragrances and Coco Chanel is my all time favourite perfume. I just adore it. I feel sophisticated and chic when I wear it.

I'd like an equivalent but for the summer.

I want summer chic in hot Rome.

What would you recommend?

I have just bought the new Gucci Flora - Glamourous Magnolia and I love it!

I wear Coco Chanel too. I've recently discovered Pomegranate Noir by Jo Malone (think Jo Malone is sold at Heathrow so depends where you're flying from). It's quite a deep, spicy fragrance but has got a fruitiness that I think makes it work for summer too.

I've been trying Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche this summer and I love it. I have had no end of compliments and "ooh, what's that scent?" comments. I love the original Chance and Coco fragrances too.

Chanel 19 or O de Lancome.

I like Boss femme for the summer, not too sickly.

Stella McCartney's new perfume, L.I.L.Y is summery but has musky/amber base notes (I haven't just read up on it, honest . I really like it, although prefer Stella In Two which had been discontinued but is supposed to be reissued soon - maybe keep an eye for it as it would fit the bill I think!!

Anyone wear chanel cristalle? Or cristalle eau vert?

I've tried both of these and think they may be what I'm after but I can't decide which I prefer. Eau vert seems softer and more lemony but original cristalle has a greener mossier fragrance. I think cristalle may be more sophisticated.

I've tried JEan Paul gaultier but it's not quite fresh and expensive smelling enough IYKWIM? Although I do like it.

What's Chance eau fraiche like? I do love Chanel, but I dont get on with no 19, or no 5, they just don't seem to suit me.

Am another fan of Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche (the green one). Less keen on the pink one. Have worn it for years and love the smell.

Paul Smith Rose is lovely, v summery

I have discovered the Dior Cruise collection. My personal favourite is Escale aux marquises. Starts off quite citrussy but settles to something quite sophisticated. I had planned on getting Chanel Cristalle Eau Vert, but it doesn't last too long on my skin.

CK One Summer - lovely and fresh and lasts for ages on me.....

Oh and Caroline Herreira 212 ... Gorgeous

Do you like Allure? I think it is still quite grown-up, but not as heady and spicy as Coco. Or even Coco Mademoiselle?

My mum wears White Linen, which smells like a sophisticated fresh basket of laundry on her, but like cat piss on me - depends on your skin. Also Dune is lovely for summer but still very 'perfume' IYSWIM. I'm not a fan of 'one squirt and it's gone' fragrances - I like something strong. I love Vivienne Westwood 'Boudoir' which is quite floral, but as a friend commented to me when I was wearing it, 'it smells like flowers and... sex !'

Oh PS also try Lolita Lempicka - the original one in lime green box with purple apple shaped bottle. It's really unusual and I think based on what you already like, you would like it - it's less 'eveningy' than Coco.

Chanel Jersey-lavender based -lovely

My DH has just bought me Daisy by Marc Jacobs - chosen all by himself!

I really like it, sweet smelling but not sickly. Really summery.

Rome is very hot right now.
I like heavy orientals in winter but wouldn't use them in this extreme heat.
They just smell off.
Too hot for perfume IMO.

If you want to treat yourself to a really nice bottle, go to the Chanel boutique and get one of their boutique exclusives. 28 La Pausa by Chanel is what I use when it's very hot. One of the best irises around and very cooling.

Or go to the Olfattorio perfume bar on Via Ripetta 34 in Rome and let them serve you whatever you fancy (you can smell from stemmed glasses). My other summer favorite is Divine Bergamote by The Different Company (try it there).

But you could just get a classic cologne: Escale à Portofino by Dior or Eau de Cologne Impériale by Guerlain, or Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford.

Rome is one of the best perfume shopping places in the world. Go to Profumeria Roma Store in Via della Lungaretta 63 in Trastevere and see what I mean.

I love Bright Crystal by Versace...and L by Lolita Lempicka

Eau du nil hermes is a cologne but that lingers

Narciso rodtiguez eau de parfum essence de musc is extremely fresh with white Musc, zesty citrus and a powdery finish.

The bulgari eau parfumee au the vert ( green tea) is a favorite

The chanel n5. Eau premiere is lovely, a bit too heavy for me in the heat but i love using the oil right after the shower. It remains as subtle veil.

I love the Pear one from Jo Malone - delicate and fruity.

Donnana, I'm staying in Trastevere, so will find that shop!!

I'm not keen on fruity perfumes or florals or those oceanic type fragrances, I like something still perfumey but with a fresh clean smell for summer.

I tried Dune as I thought this may fit the bill, it reminded me of a dry Campari, which does sum up Rome for me, but still somehow didn't suit me, so I'm continuing to search...

Claire, also check out the Annick Goutals (mostly very light and feminine, very classy and chic) and the L'Artisan Parfumier line in Roma Store.
I could spend hours there.

Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio- it is based on a garden near Rome -so very appropriate...and lovely