Vintage CHEAP dime store perfumes

PrettySquareGal · Dec 28, 2008

Has anyone ever worn cheap vintage perfume, meaning not inexpensive now to buy but at the time was meant for the lady on a budget?

I'mSuzyParker · Dec 28, 2008

Not sure of how classic or vintage it was, but I used to love the smell of Chantilly on a favorite aunt. Don't know if they even make it anymore. But, it was more of a drug store find than a department store one.

PrettySquareGal · Dec 28, 2008

Today I bought a box of mini no-name brand "Parfums De France" by Charles V. I think what you have is steps above...but I think like many things, low-budget vintage is often top shelf by today's standards...I want to start wearing cheap perfume! lol

I'mSuzyParker · Dec 28, 2008

The vintage classics are all great. Have you noticed even the "lower shelf" stuff was always presented in gorgeous bottles, etc. just like their high end counterparts. I love vintage packaging. The heavy leaded glasses, atomizers, etc.

PrettySquareGal · Dec 28, 2008

Yes, I have noticed. I also love old packaging.

PrettySquareGal · Dec 29, 2008

I just tried about five of them. One smells like freshly waxed kitchen floors with cookies baking. lol They must have been after the housewife demographic. Another smells like a husband home late with his secretary's perfume on his collar (I'm serious, how could I make something so crazy up). There's a really nice one that smells like a field of lilacs and hair spray. lol But now I smell like all of those plus. Anyway, I don't know if I smell cheap but I do smell at the moment......

I'mSuzyParker · Dec 29, 2008

Where did you get these things? I love the description about secretary's perfume/lipstick on hubby's collar : )

Real Swell Gal · Dec 29, 2008

My dad always talks about how girls in his class (50's) wore something called Evening In Paris. I guess they wore it the way girls of our generation once wore Georgio. Too much and too often.
Chantilly is still around and it makes me think vintage so does White Shoulders. Remember that one? My great grandma always wore that.

StaceFace · Dec 29, 2008

I've been using Jovan Island Gardenia for over a year now. I've always liked the smell of gardenia, and this is a steal at $10. Does anyone know the history of this stuff?

jayem · Dec 29, 2008

Oooh, I love White Shoulders. It's what I use when I'm not going somewhere 'important' but still want to smell nice. Mostly, work related stuff. When I go to the Hispanic market, I get this home-made perfume that smells like fresh lavender and vanilla. I love it; it has no name, but this little old lady in a booth sells it. It's incredibly cheap too.

PrettySquareGal · Dec 29, 2008

There's an ongoing vintage perfume thread, and those are all name brand respectable perfumes that might be mentioned in it (and not so cheap). I got this box from a local antique shop.

The perfumes have crazy names, I will write some later, need to run, long day ahead (sick pet.)

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4260&highlight=vintage+perfume

I'mSuzyParker · Dec 29, 2008

The descriptions are awesome. Hope your pet gets well soon.

PrettySquareGal · Dec 29, 2008

I'mSuzyParker said:
The descriptions are awesome. Hope your pet gets well soon.

Thank you! My little fellow is holding steady...

Here is a pic of the bottles with the no name names!

I estimate these to be from the mid 60's.

I'mSuzyParker · Dec 29, 2008

WOW. . the bottles are beautiful.. so vintage looking.. great find

Lillemor · Dec 29, 2008

Ah! White Shoulders! Thanks for reminding me.

Lareesie Ladavi · Dec 30, 2008

I love most of what Coty puts out, I just wish it stayed long. I find that Nokomis stay a while and I love its sophisticated smell. It's soo sophisticated that the word Nokomis means :my grandmother". I won't tell my husband that.

fftopic:
Anyone remember this Lucy episode?

By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
Dark behind it rose the forest. lol

Tourbillion · Dec 30, 2008

Actually White Lilac was a 1930 scent and very popular. The other ones in the coffret I am not familiar with.

The cheapest scent that I've tried is probably Tabu (1932) by Dana. It is strong stuff, but exotic and mysterious. I'm not sure how cheap it was in the 30's and 40's though. Many fragrances that were once exclusives are now drugstore perfumes.

There was also Cotillion (1933) by Avon. This one is definitely on the cheaper side and popular. I don't remember it anymore though, I haven't smelled it since I was a kid.

Foofoogal · Dec 30, 2008

I have always wondered if it is safe to use old perfumes or especially old talc powder (I don't feel like I have had a bath without powder after though it is an act of congress to find some now) . I always though perfume turned to alcohol eventually though I love the graphics on old sets.
Tigress was my dream perfume when a child. The teenage girl I knew had a whole set with the tiger design of fur on the bottle.
http://www.nellbutler.com/photos/TIGRESS_W (Custom).jpg
I so admired her with her hair all done up in orange juice cans sitting at her vanity putting on her Tigress perfume.
Now my sister got a set of Evening in Paris one Christmas. I got a new transistor radio so I was happy. lol

Vintage CHEAP dime store perfumes

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