A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (2024)

The 1980s, often hailed as a decade of excess and extravagance, left an indelible mark on pop culture, fashion, and, of course, fragrance. It was a time when shoulder pads were power, neon was the new black, and perfumes weren’t just scents; they were olfactory statements. In this aromatic voyage, we invite you to join us as we turn back the scented pages of history and explore the 80s through its iconic fragrances Prepare to be transported to a time when big hair, bold fashion, and even bolder fragrances ruled the world. From powerhouse scents that commanded attention to sweet and innocent florals that defined romance, the 80s perfume scene was a thrilling playground of innovation and nostalgia. So, fasten your seatbelts, as we take a fragrant trip down memory lane to revisit the unforgettable scents that defined an era, reminding us that perfume is not just a fragrance; it’s a time capsule of memories, emotions, and a whole lot of nostalgia.

PerfumesReleaseFragrance Notes
Chanel Coco Eau De Parfum1984Rose, Cloves, Peach, Musk
Calvin Klein Eternity1988Green Notes, Freesia, Musk, Carnation, Lily
Poison Dior1985Plum, Wild Berries, Amber, Anise
Estee Lauder Beautiful1985Galbanum, Rose, Lily, Sandalwood, Amber
Giorgio Beverly Hills1981Apricot, Peach, Bergamot, Tuberose
YSL Paris1983Rose, Mimosa, Violet, Lily, Iris, Musk
Calvin Klein Obsession1985Vanilla, Bergamot, Spices, Cedar, Incense
Cacheral Lou Lou1987Plum, Iris, Cinnamon, Incense, Ylang-Ylang
Body Shop White Musk1981Musk, Lily, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Rose

Table of Contents

  • Chanel Coco Eau De Parfum
  • Calvin Klein Eternity
  • Dior Poison
  • Estee Lauder Beautiful
  • Giorgio Beverly Hills
  • YSL Paris
  • Calvin Klein Obsession
  • Cacheral Lou Lou
  • Body Shop White Musk

Chanel Coco Eau De Parfum

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (1)

Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum was released in 1985; it’s an intense and oriental clove perfume. It carries some of the theme from the 70s but its slightly more modern with warm notes of rose, amber, musk, incense & tonka bean. The base notes of rich vanilla and patchouli give it a beautiful dry down and also longevity. What sets Coco apart is its balance – it’s neither overly sweet nor too heavy. Instead, it strikes a perfect balance between. The scent is versatile, suitable for both daytime and evening wear, though for me it is a night time perfume. It is sultry, sophisticated perfume that has been sold and loved for years!

Calvin Klein Eternity

Calvin Klein Eternity for women is a fresh green perfume that opens with notes of mandarin and sage, creating a clean and inviting introduction. The heart of this scent is a bouquet of classic florals, primarily lily-of-the-valley, making it very heard to dislike. The base notes of patchouli and sandalwood give it a warm and comforting finish, making it ideal for everyday wear. Eternity’s simplicity and timelessness made it a go-to fragrance for people in the 80s. It’s versatility makes it a beloved classic in the perfume world.

Dior Poison

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (3)

Dior’s Poison released in 1985, comes in a very cool poison apple shaped bottle. This iconic scent opens with a burst of spicy, fruity notes that immediately captivate the senses. As it settles, a rich and intoxicating blend of tuberose and jasmine emerges, evoking a sense of sensuality and mystery. The base notes of amber and honey add depth and warmth. It is a very intense perfume, its not a fruity perfume rather a deep incensy perfume that stays for hours. Its tremendously good for lasting.

Estee Lauder Beautiful

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (4)

Estée Lauder’s Beautiful is a timeless and romantic fragrance that lives up to its name. Opening with a bouquet of fresh, dew-kissed florals, including rose, lily, and marigold, it immediately transports you to a blooming garden. The heart notes of orange flower and bright jasmine add a touch of elegance and femininity. Beautiful’s dry-down is a warm embrace of vetiver and sandalwood, creating a harmonious balance. It’s a fragrance that embodies grace and sophistication, making it perfect for special occasions and everyday wear alike. With its enduring appeal, Beautiful continues to be a symbol of classic beauty and charm

Giorgio Beverly Hills

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (5)

Giorgio Beverly Hills came out in 1981 was another floral perfume loved by many. I actually wore this perfume all through my teenage years solely because it was so affordable but incredibly good for lasting. This is a peachy, apricot-y tuberose, it is quite a heavy perfume but there is a lightness & fruitiness to it making it great for projection. This fragrance is a symbol of 1980s extravagance and has maintained its popularity, making it a classic choice for those who appreciate a touch of elegance in their scent.

YSL Paris

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (6)

Yves Saint Laurent’s original Paris Eau de Parfum was an iconic floral perfume with notes of violet and bergamot, heart notes of delicate rose and iris impart a sense. The base had notes of sandalwood and vetiver. The formulation is slightly dated for me and I have switched to Mon Paris by YSL but it still remains one of the statement perfumes worn in that era.

Calvin Klein Obsession

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (7)

Calvin Klein Obsession was released in 1985. It begins with a fiery blend of mandarin and bergamot, creating a captivating first impression. The heart of this scent features exotic spices and a rich, sultry floral mix, primarily jasmine and orange blossom, which evoke passion and desire. Its base notes of warm amber and vanilla add depth and sensuality, leaving a lingering feeling. Obsession is very similar to Coco Eau de parfum and can also be considered a more affordable version of the same.

Cacheral Lou Lou

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (8)

Another classic from the 80s Cacharel Loulou is a unique you can smell this from a mile away signature scent kind of fragrance. It has plum, tuberose but it is quite sweet and vanilla-ry, probably the sweetest on the list. It again has those incensy, cinnamon notes. It all mixes up to become a sweet cinnamon type of smell, soft feminine but quite hard hitting for the 80s.

Body Shop White Musk

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (9)

The Body Shop’s White Musk is a classic and cruelty-free fragrance loved for its clean and fresh smell. It opens with a subtle blend of fresh and zesty notes, followed by a soft and floral heart dominated by jasmine and rose. The real charm of White Musk lies in its base notes of velvety musk, warm vanilla, and cedarwood, creating a comforting and long-lasting embrace on the skin. This fragrance is not overpowering but rather a gentle, skin-like scent, making it perfect for daily wear or layering with other fragrances. Get 20% off at The Body Shop with code AFFSOKI.

A Guide To The Most Iconic 80s Perfumes | SOKI LONDON (2024)

FAQs

What was the most popular perfume in the 80s? ›

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  • Love's Baby Soft. ...
  • Heaven Sent. ...
  • Electric Youth. ...
  • Exclamation! ...
  • Liz Claiborne. ...
  • Obsession by Calvin Klein. ...
  • Benetton Colors.
Feb 15, 2023

What perfumes were popular in 1985? ›

8 Popular 80s Perfumes and Colognes You Should Know
  • Poison by Christian Dior.
  • Obsession by Calvin Klein.
  • Beautiful by Estée Lauder.
  • Polo by Ralph Lauren.
  • Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche.
  • Ysatis by Givenchy.
  • Cool Water by Davidoff.
  • Designer Imposters Primo!
Aug 21, 2023

What brand of eau de cologne was made popular in the 1980s? ›

Calvin Klein Obsession For Men

This is one of the most characteristic and dominant fragrances of the 1980s.

What is the classic old lady perfume? ›

The best known Old Lady Perfume is probably the classic Chanel No. 5, which launched a century ago. The main ingredients in this iconic blend are synthetic aldehydes, which were groundbreaking in 1921 and impart the powdery soapiness we've come to associate with the famous blend.

What were the impulse fragrances in the 80s? ›

In the early 1980s, six scents were introduced, in the USA, called "Always Alluring", "Delightfully Daring", "Instantly Innocent", "Mysterious Musk", "Possible Playful", and "Suddenly Sassy". In 1986, three scents were introduced called "Elation", "Electric Musk", and "Temptation".

What perfume was launched in 1984? ›

Coco is a women's perfume by French fashion house Chanel, introduced in 1984. It was created by Chanel in-house perfumer Jacques Polge.

What is the most sold perfume in history? ›

Chanel No.

5 deserves the top spot on every list of the most popular perfumes. In 1921, Gabrielle Chanel decided to launch a fragrance and was asked to pick from a variety of samples. Sample No. 5 was her choice, and that's how the famous perfume earned its name.

What were the old perfume brands in the 1970s? ›

Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Cacharel, Revlon, and Estee Lauder left an indelible mark on the 70s perfume industry. Here is our homage to some of the most popular fragrances during the 70s that we consider to be evergreen.

What cologne did Hemingway and JFK wear? ›

But to Krigler, one of his personal favorites is “America One 31,” because it was worn by men like his father, Ernest Hemingway and John F. Kennedy. It was also the first scent to be designed in America by the House of Krigler in 1931. Today, it's informally known as the “president's scent.”

What cologne did Marilyn Monroe wear? ›

A nightgown? ' So I said, 'Chanel N°5! ' Because it's the truth!” Marilyn Monroe told Marie Claire in an interview in 1960. The “artificial perfume” that Gabrielle Chanel ordered Ernest Beaux to concoct is composed of 80 scents, including an extreme concentration of aldehydes.

What is the best selling cologne of all time? ›

Sauvage may just be one of the most popular men's fragrances of all time; it's had the cologne world in a chokehold since it burst onto the market in 2015. It's instantly identifiable, mixing a fresh top note and a rich, amber wood base with a healthy dose of peppers and spice throughout the life of the scent.

What is world no. 1 perfume? ›

Clive Christian No.

1 holds the title for the most expensive perfume in the world. It is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and the use of rare and precious ingredients sourced from around the globe.

What is the best-selling women's perfume of all time? ›

Coco Chanel said, “Fashion comes and goes but style is eternal.” CHANEL No. 5 Eau de Parfum is the most recognizable and popular perfume of all time and has been worn by women of all ages for generations.

Which perfume gets the most compliments? ›

After wearing a different perfume every day, I can confirm these 6 earned me the most compliments
  1. Phlur Not Your Baby. (Image credit: Phlur) ...
  2. Parfums de Marly Darcy. (Image credit: Parfums de Marly) ...
  3. Sana Jardin Sandalwood Temple. ...
  4. Malin + Goetz Strawberry. ...
  5. Jo Malone London Myrrh and Tonka. ...
  6. Tom Ford Soleil Blanc.
Jul 24, 2024

What was the popular perfume in the 70s? ›

One of the most beloved perfumes of the 70s, Charlie Blue for Women by Revlon was reputed as the perfect airy floral for daytime wear.

What perfume scent was popular in the 90s? ›

Calvin Klein CK One EDT is probably one of the scents you think of first when you reminisce about the 90s. The fragrance made its debut in 1994 and quickly became a quintessential 90s perfume.

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