I have been remiss in reviewing this scent. I’ve had it now for a couple of weeks because a generous POL’er shared some with me. I have no excuse not to have reviewed it sooner, or expressed my thanks in this way, but it is summer and life is in the way.
I probably have more Guerlain fragrances than any other house. I still remember how vintage Shalimar smelled when I wore it in the dead of winter, snow on the ground, the scent of fireplaces in the air. It was amazing. (A friend told me that it smelled best on her when she was still smoking — the mix of the perfume with tobacco was intoxicating.) I’ve moved past this scent, though I still like it on occasion.
I had high hopes for Sous le Vent!
This is one that I would like to spritz more heavily to see how it really does. I’m being wildly cautious, making my sample last, but giving it more than one try.
The notes are:
Notes: lavender, tarragon, basilic, citrus, carnation, oakmoss, iris, woods, patchouli. [It is said to be a leathery chypre.]
Sous le Vent came out originally in 1933 and was created for (or worn by) Joséphine Baker who would drench herself in the luxury of it. It is easy to see how one could drench oneself, as it is not over powering.
Some say it smells heavily of lavender. I’m very grateful I don’t smell (much) lavender on me, because it isn’t one of my favorites.
On me, the predominant over-all feel is salt or salty leather. This salty-air feeling gives the impression of the trade winds blowing near an ocean getaway. I am ready to go! This contributes to a dry feeling. It’s a place I’d like to visit, compared to my hot and humid area, even if we do get breezes.
The iris is not powdery. The patchouli is a whisper; it is not heavy. I had hoped to smell more of the tarragon, which is a spice I truly love — and I love the smell of tarragon.
The question for me, which has yet to be settled, is if this fragrance on me has too much of a masculine feel to it. Perhaps that is the lavender which I sense only as a periphery, a note that gets me in trouble if it predominates. If this is the scent that wafts its way through the whole, I will have to pass, but if it is dry, salty, and airy it would have a place in my scent lineup. Time will tell!
Karin
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