I’d like a perfume that makes me feel like Dame Maggie Smith is offering me a scone and telling me kindly that I’m doing a great job and everything’s going to be OK.

[Stoechas]

For clarification I do not want to smell
like Dame Maggie Smith (although I bet she smells lovely) or a scone.

I have a sometimes grim job in a grim part of the world interacting with sometimes grim people and I’d like to be able to put my nose down my top in private and smell something that makes everything a bit better.

No idea about perfumes. Perfume people scare me. Going to JL next week and would like to have a sniff of maximum 5 perfumes and buy one of them.

Do not want anything remotely sexy, rude, obnoxious, syrupy girlie flowers, loud antibacterial sunshine or clean sheets in the rain I just mowed my lawn in a long dress bullshit.

Anything that fits the bill?

[MalagaNights]

Amarige by Givenchy.

It's white floral, soft and powdery.

[Luckingfovely]

Creed Adventus For Her is utterly singular, for me. Spendy yes, but one of the very rare brands that has genuine staying power and actually lasts all day for me.

There are so many classics recommended on this thread, I must make a list. The thread is like a hug on its own now, thank you pp and all ops

[alltheevennumbers]

That is a truly great description of what you want, OP.

I sometimes want to wear a perfume that is a comforting and beautiful presence, but on the wholesome side of things and not playing games with sex, power, 'femininity', etc.

Thinking of options likely to be available in JL my suggestions would be:

a) L'Heure Bleue (Guerlain). Promise me you'll try this and let it dry down before you decide? It's on the melancholic side of things and and has a moment of smelling very slightly medicinal, but also has a comforting vanilla. It dates back to 1912, but don't hold that against it. It smells good (in a soft, poignant, but heartachingly beautiful way). Worthy of Dame Maggie.

b) Whilst you are at the Guerlain counter, lean over to the men's counter (ridiculous that smells are gendered) and try Habit Rouge. It's an entirely unisex classic, a clean smelling ambery/woody smell with a vanilla base, which is comforting and not as vampy as Shalimar. But perhaps try Shalimar Parfum Initial whilst you are there?

c) If they have Annick Goutal section, see if they have Les Nuits D'Hadrien, a horrendously misnamed perfume - nothing at all to do with nuits. This is a clean and comforting amber-citrus. See also Ambre Sauvage (also Annick Goutal) and Hermes Eau de Mervilles and Terre d'Hermes for satisfying. clean smelling aromatics.

d) This may sound unlikely but SJP's Lovely is an underrated lavender that suggests competence and is comforting.

e) If they have L'Occitane try Ambre and Eau d'Iparie and also Eau des Beaux.

Please tell us what you end up with? <Over-invested>

[alltheevennumbers]

@PetronellaOsgood

guerlain l'heure bleue, our late Queens favourite, Dame Maggie would approve. It's a powdery comforting scent. My absolute favourite.

Sorry @PetronellaOsgood - didn't see that you had already recommended L'Heure Bleue.

[Stoechas]

@alltheevennumbers

L'Heure Bleue Eau is definitely on my now not-at-all-short shortlist. I promise to try it on and let it dry down (perfume technical term!) before deciding.
Love the idea of casually reaching over into the men’s collection too. Like a pro

I usually just walk smartish through the perfume section, assiduously not making eye contact with anyone in case I get cornered and agree to try something that smells like a packet of 1980s dip dab, or man in overalls painting a fence. I swear I consented to trying a hand lotion a few years ago and smelt like fish paste for the rest of the day.

Can see this is now a project, not a one off John Lewis in and out job.

[Mxflamingnoravera]

I and here to say vanilla like other posters, or sandalwood. They are both soo comforting. Tom Ford does a couple of vanilla based scents, my fave is Vanille Fatale and for sandalwood, try Santal Blush. Oud wood is also a deep, boomy and comforting scent. Head to the Tom Ford counter - but it's the private collection stuff so you'll need to go to Harvey Nicks or a high end store or a big airport if you are travelling and then you can get it duty free too.

[MyCreation]

Enjoy your scouting trip. If you can take a small bag of coffee beans with you, it really helps to sniff them to refresh your nose so the smells don’t start to blur into one perfumy haze.

[FuckabethFuckor]

I immediately thought of Diptyque Philosykos when I read your OP.

[alltheevennumbers]

@Stoechas

@alltheevennumbers

L'Heure Bleue Eau is definitely on my now not-at-all-short shortlist. I promise to try it on and let it dry down (perfume technical term!) before deciding.
Love the idea of casually reaching over into the men’s collection too. Like a pro

I usually just walk smartish through the perfume section, assiduously not making eye contact with anyone in case I get cornered and agree to try something that smells like a packet of 1980s dip dab, or man in overalls painting a fence. I swear I consented to trying a hand lotion a few years ago and smelt like fish paste for the rest of the day.

Can see this is now a project, not a one off John Lewis in and out job.

^ This happens to the best of us. 😁

And congratulations on your new hobby!

The best bit is that you can douse yourself at a counter, and then look up knowledgeably and say, 'thank you. I need to walk around for at least a couple of hours and see how this dries down', completely plausibly. 😁

[EBearhug]

Les Senteurs is a good recommendation. If you go in the shop, they have a big book of similarly smelling perfumes, which is useful when your favourites are discontinued. Their sample service by post is good, too.

You do have to try them, though. I've not yet found a Guerlain classic that works on my skin, as much as people swear by them, and it's a great disappointment when something ends up smelling vile on you when you know itcan be great on others - especially if you've got a whole bottle of it.

[LadyEloise1]

Chanel Jersey
Or
Tom Ford Neroli
Or
Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien

[alltheevennumbers]

The way you write, OP, I bet you might enjoy Perfumes The A-Z Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez. It is a great and entertaining reference book to dip into, scathing and funny, as well as being erudite.

[PAFMO]

@alltheevennumbers

The way you write, OP, I bet you might enjoy Perfumes The A-Z Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez. It is a great and entertaining reference book to dip into, scathing and funny, as well as being erudite.

Agreed. I can also recommend Scent and Subversion by Barbara Hermann (a century of provocative scent) This book (plus my own memories) was what started me off collecting vintage perfumes.

[Luckingfovely]

Thank you @alltheevennumbers I've just bought that book, it sounds fabulous!

[alltheevennumbers]

@PAFMO , seconded!

[Stoechas]

@alltheevennumbers

The way you write, OP, I bet you might enjoy Perfumes The A-Z Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez. It is a great and entertaining reference book to dip into, scathing and funny, as well as being erudite.

Bought! (In part due to WoB link)

[Foreverhope1]

@dudsville

I love how seriously everyone is taking your request and how well understood it is. It's as if everyone's just nodded, thought "i get it" and stepped in with lovely scenes life rafts.

Mine is already mentioned, coco chanel. And it offers the staying power that will see you through the most horrendous day. I do one squirt and get a waft of it throughout the day.

Ditto!! ♥️

[Foreverhope1]

@Stoechas

Centrum Advance is a terrible perfume btw. Do not recommend. Very tablety.

😂😂😂

[Foreverhope1]

@SirChenjins

I wear Coco Chanel - have done for many years, and it's a very comforting, very elegant fragrance (unlike me). When I wear it I feel like I should be lounging on a sofa in the library, drinking Earl Grey and eating scones in front of a roaring fire with a lab at my feet and a handsome husband in tweeds next to me reading the farm report from the estate manager (sexist stereotypes alert).

Pretty much my thoughts too, but I'd swap the earl grey for a gin and tonic 😆

[Cantonet]

Apparently Dane Maggie Smith wears a perfume called Madelaine de Madelaine. An 80's tuberose according to the black narcissus perfume blog.
My suggestions are Chanel Cristalle edp & Estée Lauders Private Collection .
Both are mossy, green, earthy, slightly chilly chypres & utter classics.
An alternative is a true Rose perfume like Rose Tonnere ( Malle) or La Fille de Berlin ( lutens).

[Housewife2010]

Frederic Malle En Passant -lilac with a touch of bread and cucumber. Sounds odd but to me it's serenity in a bottle. It's exquisite, calm and I'm sure that in the most stressful work moments, a quick sniff down your blouse when you're wearing this, would definitely calm you.

[tothesea]

I had a spray of a M&S perfume Tuberose the other day which was a lovely comforting warm scent. I picked it up because I know that Tuberose was in my favourite now discontinued Stella McCartney perfume.
I also love L’inderdit, when I first tried a sample I instantly ‘knew’ the scent, it reminded me or something or someone I’m still not sure what.
I hope you find what you are looking for. Love this thread!

[BaseDrops]

We need more info on what you associate with women who express care by offering sustenance while radiating the requirement to keep on keeping on.

For me it would be Joy, Youth Dew, Blue Grass, or the scent of a 70s head shop 😂

[Nocutenamesleft]

@Tirednest perfume us subjective. That's why we all buy different ones.

[alltheevennumbers]

Wildcard: Raghba

You'd need to order it online, but it's tremendous value, and could be flogged on again on eBay if necessary.