If you grew up in the 90s then you surely remember Tamagotchi, floppy disks, and those old massive cell phones. You may get emotional watching an episode of the Simpson or Friends or listening to an old song. But nostalgia needn’t stop at popular culture, and today nostalgic perfumes are all the rage.
We tend to connect songs and images to memories. But actually, perfumes also have incredible power. Whenever we come across a scent we used to wear, we are immediately reminded of that specific period in our life.
If you are feeling nostalgic for 90s fashion or fragrances, then this is the perfect article for you. Below you will find a list of perfumes from the 90s that are still awesome today.
Nostalgic Perfumes That Have Stood the Test of Time
White Musk by The Body Shop
First launched in 1981, this perfume became the signature scent of the 90s generation. This product is characterised by a fresh and floral fragrance. Its tones range from aldehydes to jasmine, lily and obviously white musk.
The fragrance has remained the same but the package has modernised. White Musk is now completely vegan and comes in a sustainable package.
Dune by Dior
Dune by Dior is probably the most popular woody fragrance for women. First launched in 1991, this scent won a Fifi award in 1993. Developed by Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Maurice Roger, Dune has warm spicy and amber tones. This perfume is a homage to Dior’s Christian Dior’s birthplace, Granville.
Not many people know that Dune was also at the centre of a legal controversy. In fact, after its launch, a perfumer claimed he was the intellectual owner of the fragrance. Dior had to attend the trial at the Cour de Cassation and managed to maintain ownership of the product.
Dune is designed for women but in 1997, the company also launched a men’s version of this product.
Rush by Gucci
Launched at the very end of the 90s, Gucci Rush soon gained popularity. This was Gucci’s second fragrance for women and was designed by Michel Almairac.
Rush was easily recognisable by its unique design. The bottle is in fact shaped like a video cassette tape. Its name is a reference to the stimulative drugs popular in the US in the 80s. This perfume is described by heyscent as a luscious exotic floral cocktail. It has Californian gardenia, South African freesia, and Turkish rose notes.
Ck One by Calvin Klein
CK One is without a doubt one of the most popular perfumes by Calvin Klein. First launched in 1994 this fragrance soon became a best seller selling over $90 million per year.
CK One was developed by Alberto Morillas, a Spanish perfumer. This was also the first unisex fragrance to gain popularity in the US. Its chypre scent still sells over $30 million per year, proving that nostalgic perfumes sure have the lure.
Clinique Happy by Clinique
Happy by Clinique was the most popular citrus fragrance for women in the 90s. The product was launched in 1998 and received a 1998 FiFi award. Clinique Happy was created by Jean Claude Delville and Rodrigo Flores-Rouxis and is characterised by fresh tones. This perfume is perfect for a summer day at the beach.
Blue Jeans For Him by Versace
But let’s talk about some men’s fragrances. Blue Jeans by Versace is the perfect men’s scent and can be worn in all seasons and occasions. This aromatic perfume was created by Jean-Pierre Bethouart in 1994. As soon as you spray it on your skin you will smell citruses, bergamot, and basil. Its middle notes are Lavender, Rose, and Jasmine and after a few hours of wearing it, you will still feel its vanilla, musk, and amber notes.
Fahrenheit by Dior
Another great fragrance by Dior popular in the 90s was Fahrenheit. This perfume was actually created in 1988 by Maurice Roger and Jean-Louis Sieuzac. Dior describes it as a marriage of extremes, hot and cold, subtlety and power.
This timeless perfume is still very popular among men to this day. It has Sicilian mandarin notes, and woody and leather scents. Nowadays, Fahrenheit is also available in an eco-design. In fact, its packaging is made from recyclable materials.
Pour Homme Vintage by Dolce & Gabbana
We couldn’t talk about perfumes without mentioning Dolce & Gabbana. Pour Homme is one of their most iconic perfumes with aromatic and citrus notes. Launched in 1994, you can’t go wrong with this perfume. It’s perfect in all seasons and can be worn both during the day and at night.
Pour Homme has top citrus notes ranging from bergamot, tangerine, and orange. However, it has an aromatic heart combining the freshness of lavender with the intensity of cardamom.
Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden
Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden was the protagonist of every summer in the 90s. Inspired by the simplicity of a clear blue sky, this fragrance was a must-have for every girl who grew up in this period. Sunflowers was launched in 1993 and designed by David Apel. Its top notes are melon, peach, and citruses such as orange. However, after a few hours of wearing it, you will still smell its base notes of sandalwood, musk, and amber.
Classique by by Jean Paul Gaultier
If you love perfumes then you surely know Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier. This fragrance has a unique bottle shaped like a woman’s bust. Classique was created by Jacques Cavallier in 1993 and is described as an oriental floral fragrance. It is extremely popular to this day and can be found in most shops.
This perfume contains rose and rum top notes and middle notes of narcissus and orchids. Its base notes are vanilla, amber, and tonka bean. Classique was so popular that Jean Paul Gaultier designed a male version too. This was called Le Male and was introduced on the market in 1995.
Tommy by Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy by Tommy Hilfiger was another signature scent from the 90s and is one of the leading nostalgic perfumes on the market today. Launched in 1995, this product was created by Annie Buzantian and Alberto Morillas.
Tommy is a men’s fragrance which can be worn on a spring or summer day. Known for its fresh and fruity scents, this perfume has mint, bergamot, and lavender top notes. Its middle notes are cranberry and rose and will leave the scent of cotton flower, cactus, and amber on your skin.
