Perfume for an older lady- ideas?

[takehimjolene]

I'd be really love some ideas on a perfume to buy for my mother (late 70s). She and my Dad are both not in the best of health and I have been tasked with buying perfume for her birthday as a present from Dad (who is not well enough to shop even online). She has asked for perfume, and I think her idea is that wearing something new will make her feel a bit better as she's dealing with some tricky times. However, their poor health and the stress/worry is making them both pretty cranky and they have told me in no uncertain terms that they don't want any involvement in choosing something (I had suggested I get some samples for her to smell) but they really want it to be right. I'm not very familiar with perfumes (I have a go to perfume that I have been wearing for years, but she doesn't like that so clearly going by my taste is not the best idea!).
The only pointers they will give me are:

1. Not a 'heavy' perfume
2. Not cheap shit! (her words, I think she means no dupes, M&S, gift selections etc)
3. Not an 'old lady' perfume

In her younger days Mum always preferred heavier perfumes, but she doesn't want that now. One lighter perfume that I know she did like was Eternity, but she's made it clear that she wants something she's not had before. If anyone can give me any ideas on potentially suitable perfumes to try that would be amazing! I've had a look at a few shops but am struggling to work out where to start amongst the hundreds of options.

God help us - I'm 70 and would hate anyone to buy something for an older lady!

Coco Mademoiselle or Chance are good classics that are mid range I think, ie neither too floral or heavy.
DM loves J’adore by Dior.
Eau de Sens by Diptyque gets lots of compliments when I wear it, we have ladies of retirement age at work.
I love Penhaligons so the sample set is a lovely gift but the full size are not the cheapest! Halfeti is my dream gift but it’s very heady so doesn’t meet the brief.
Sorry for going off on a tangent!

Lancome Tresor

YSL Rive Gauche it's really nice , not at all heavy .

Forgetting the older lady part, I'd suggest a trip to a store with a Jo Malone counter where they have dozens of testers. I went along with my daughter (who was treating me) and chose Orange Blossom, which is lovely and light. When I visited Valencia last month, I could smell this amazing fragrance, which turned out to be orange blossom on the trees above. It smelled exactly like my fragrance.

Estée Lauder Azuree. It’s not often on display but if you ask they usually have it behind the counter.

Its not heavy like Youth Dew but lots of people compliment me on it.

Jo Malone nectarine honey blossom or Diptyque geranium, which is very fresh smelling

I'd forgotten that scent but as students in the early 70s we used to wear it on nights out! I know I used to love it but can't recall the smell.

Kenzo flower

im 63 but ones I like that fit are
kenzo - flower
jo Malone pear and fresia
chloe - roses
lancome- tresor
estee Lauder- bronze Goddess
estee Lauder - beautiful
Dior J’adore
Bosswoman
And although it’s cheap as chips I also like Elizabeth Arden sunflowers

Miss Dior’s Joy might be perfect

i would go for Jo Malone. Pear & Freesia is one of their best sellers. But they’ve got so many lovely ones if that’s not your mums thing. Feels like a real treat too. X

If price is no issue, you can’t go wrong with any of the Liz Earle range.

Clinique aromatics

I agree forget the old lady bit. Im a few years younger than your DM but my taste in perfumes has changed a lot since menopause and I now love the fruity, light, sweet, floral scents I used to really dislike. I loved heavy spicy, oud scents and now don’t wear them at all.

it also depends how a scent reacts with skin chemistry. Is it possible to take your DM to choose one for herself? I know she said she doesn’t want to have to choose one but Jo Malone offer 30 minute sessions with an assistant, to identify likes and dislikes. Perfume is so expensive, it would be a shame for you to have tried your best only for DM to receive a scent she doesn’t like.

I’ve just tried Reverie by Victoria Beckham. It’s light and really nice. Not cheap though!

Acqua di Parma is very classic

@Ferretedaway yep me too - hence my slightly dated list below. - lol -i do love that pear and fresia one though in summer- !! It’s so delicious I keep sniffing my arm if I’ve sprayed it

I don't envy you at all. Perfume is such a personal thing even without the issue of body chemistry. There are very few perfumes I can wear. What smells heavenly on others often smells like 'Eau de Cat Tray' on me. I have two perfumes I can wear and always get compliments when I wear them - good old Body Shop White Musk (the original, not the new versions) and Insolence by Guerlain.
I wish you luck.

This is inevitably subjective, but…

Cant go wrong with Chanel No 5 …

Or second the Jo Malone counter for florals, botanicals, sea air..

Or Aqua di Parma do sets of half a dozen fresh, cologne type fragrances to choose from.. lemony, orange blossom, fresh and sharp…

Clinique aromatics elixir, my very young 78 year old mother adores it. She wears Estee Lauder Beautiful too

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Ralf Lauren Romance
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess
Dune - Dior

Chanel Gabrielle is lovely

My Nan wore youth dew and she was the coolest of the cool. I could follow people in the street sniffing it as it brings back so many happy memories. She always wore it whether she was going out for dinner or going shopping, she was always fully tastefully made up, dressed impeccably with nails done.

I would go with the original Issey Miakey (can't spell it).
It is fresh, grownup but has a youthful energy and has staying power without being overwhelming. I think it would be different and novel for your mum.
Don't be persuaded to get the variants of the original.