We spoke with fragrance expert Aime Majoros on what to spritz to be en vogue.
“Vintage fashion used to make us think of the fringed dresses of 1920s flappers, 1950s circle skirts, and the 60s mod flower power era,” says Aimee Majoros, fragrance expert and the founder of Aimee Is Beauty. “In the same way, when someone mentioned vintage perfumes, they were generally talking about classic pre-war scents like Guerlain Shaliar.”
According to Majoros, all these swoon-worthy decades are informing trends in both fashion and fragrances. “To be perfectly on-trend, you can try a vintage scent created during any of these eras, or a newer take on the dominant scent notes from that time.”
Here are a few trends that Majoros predicts will rise in popularity in 2023. All bear the influence of vintage scents up through the 1980s.
1980s Perfume
Fragrance Trend: Dark Gothic Glamorous Decadence
“Now that everyone at every age is listening to Kate Bush,” says Majoros, “and bodysuits are once again considered chic, it’s no surprise that the classic powerhouse 80s fragrances are growing in popularity. Fragrances in the 80s were unapologetically sexy and beyond bold.”
She singles out Christian Dior Poison as unlike anything that came before it. “Spicy, woody and wild, the first time I smelled Poison as a teenager, the word that came to mind was ‘addictive.’ Poison is the first real darkly glamorous fragrance many of us have smelled.”
Excitingly, the scent works just as well today as it did back then.
1990s Perfume
Fragrance Trend: Genderless Fragrance
One of the most popular trends of the past couple of years has been genderless fragrance. That new perfume wave will continue to pick up steam in 2023, according to Majoros. “You can’t mention gender-neutral perfumes without including the O.G. of the category — the forward-thinking, fresh, ahead-of-its time CK One . Launched in 1994 and dominated by citrus notes, it was groundbreaking in concept, if less adventurous than some of the gender-inclusive scents of today.”
The popular Replica by Martin Margiela collection features a range of gender-inclusive fragrances, and Jazz Club is one of the most popular and interesting, according to Majoros. “Jazz Club is rich with notes we normally associate with men’s fragrances: leather, rum, tobacco leaf, woods, and resins, but the addition of pink pepper, neroli, sweet vanilla bean, and clary sage bridges the gap between the masculine and feminine. Jazz Club has many fans from all genders and all walks of life.”
Fragrance Trend: Green Tea Upgrade: Matcha
“In 1999, tea was gaining popularity with consumers,” Majoros recalls, “so it comes as no surprise that this was the year that the iconic green tea fragrance, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea appeared on the scene. Light and fresh, it evokes the calm of a traditional tea ceremony, and the simple elegance of the sleek slip dresses and minimalist styles from designers like Jil Sander and Donna Karan. In addition to the green tea accord, citrus notes, mint, and celery seeds make this 1990s perfume fresh and light.”
In 2023 Majoros sees a new green tea arriving on the scene: matcha. Matcha has been around for centuries, but has risen in popularity in recent years. “With matcha lattes on every coffee bar menu alongside trendy matcha donuts, people will crave the relaxation, sophistication, and hip cachet associated with this popular form of green tea. A few notable matcha scents started appearing in 2021, and we’ll see a continued welcome resurgence in green tea dominant perfumes.”
Y2K/Early 2000s Perfume
Fragrance Trend: Fruity Explosion/Peach Notes
Thanks to TikTok and Gen Z, Y2K is the biggest influence on fashion right now. “From feather accents and velvet tracksuits to chokers and body jewelry and, of course, those uber-controversial low-rise jeans, the influence of early 2000s fashion on current trends is everywhere,” notes Majoros. “Fragrance is following suit with the resurgence of fruit-dominant scents that are as carefree and playful as the fun, feather-trimmed outfits some of us sported in the early to mid 2000s.”
She highlights that the ultimate way to step back to 2001 would be to wear Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue. “This incredibly popular fragrance that launched that year goes heavy on the fruit notes, but tempers them with florals.”
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