OverDressed for Life

The year I turned 14 was a biggie for me. First, I was FINALLY allowed to get my ears pierced. Second, I received for Christmas my first bottle of perfume.

Now, I must admit that today I am not a fan of modern scents because there are way too many on the market and most smell heavy and cheap. Even the classics have been ruined by the use of inferior ingredients. But as a young girl, perfume to me was special, sophisticated, and most of all it was my mother at her best.

There were two that Mom favored – Je Reviens by Worth, which came in a lovely square blue bottle and was a light floral scent but not sweet. And Cabochard by Grès, a stronger more pungent fragrance and the one she’d dab behind her ears while getting ready to go out for the evening. Mmmm … sometimes I can still smell its sharp undertone (and hear the swish of Mom’s black cocktail dress).

Oh yes, I would have loved a bottle of Mom’s scent. But she knew they were a little too grownup for me and so she decided that the perfect perfume for a teenage girl was L’Air du Temps.

By Nina Ricci, L’Air du Temps (air of the time) was a fresh, light scent of carnations with a hint of gardenia. Designed by Lalique, the bottle was also a gift and I still have it (pictured above). Following Mom’s lead I wore my new fragrance only for special occasions such as my very first date (with a handsome fella by the name of Steven Greenleaf), high school dances, and I remember using the final dribbles on college graduation night. Seems L’Air du Temps carried me through all the important stages of youth, with just the right air.

The bottle is empty now, but nevertheless full of fond memories.

Thank you, Mom!