If I normally wear Chanel no. 5....

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

I normally wear Chanel no. 5, and indeed have even in summer the last couple of years.

I like grown up, complex(ish) scent. I don't really want to smell like vanilla, grapefruit or some form of smoothie (lovely though those can be on other people). But this year I'd like something a bit lighter than my normal no.5 for the better weather.

Any suggestions from perfume lovers out there? I know I'll need to do some testing, but I have two young children and an easily overwhelmed nose, so I'd like to draw up a bit of a hit list first if I can. TIA.

I wear No 5, Coco Mademoiselle, Crabtree and Evelyn India Hicks , Chloe. For the last couple of years in the summer I have worn body oil - last summer the Bronze one by Estee Lauder. at the mo I am trying a Jo Malone dry body oil.

I have only ever worn Chanel no 5 , I'm not terribly keen on many perfumes. I happened to be in Penhaligon's with a friend, there was a lady standing by the perfumes offering help, so asked her if I like Chanel no 5 what else would I like. She suggested Artemesia, and it was lovely. She tried a few others after, just to be sure, but she got it spot on first time. I would say it was quite light.

Another devotee of nos 5 here but I also like cheap & chic by moschino - dreadful name but lovely lighter fragrance

Have you tried Chanel 5 Eau Premiere? That would be a great lighter version of No. 5.

I often wear No. 5 in the winter but use very light and translucent perfumes, eaux de cologne, light citrus musks (Eau de Tarocco from Diptyque, Bergamote from The Different Company), iris perfumes (28 La Pausa from Chanel, Prelude to Love, By Kilian, Iris Silver Mist from Serge Lutens, Iris Ukioye from the Hermes Hermessences line, Zagorsk from Comme des Garcons), and rhubarbs (Aedes de Venustas EdP, Flash Back from Olfactive Studio).

Faubourg 22 and the Jardins perfumes and Hermessences are great summer scents too. The first one is properly grown up. Also try First by Van Cleef & Arpels. The Frederic Malle line is worth sampling too, very good perfumes and lots of different styles.

When it's really sweltering hot, nothing smells good. In those situations, I use colognes for freshening up and perfume only after dark or not at all.

Thank you so much for these suggestions. They have been duly noted for testing purposes. I knew there would be some fellow fans out there with suggestions.

I'm another No5 devotee, that & Arpege have been my two scents since my early twenties.
But in summer I also love Madame Rochas & for ages now Clarins Dyanamisante, which comes with lovely refreshing shower foam & body lotion as well. I've also recently discovered, & love, Aqua Di Parma Iris Nobile.