Best Perfumes for Special Occasions — Community Picks

“The Hedonist receives strong approval from experienced fragrance collectors, with a 9/10 rating from someone with a curated premium collection. While specific details about the scent are limited in these discussions, its high rating alongside other luxury fragrances suggests it's well-regarded among enthusiasts.”

“The r/fragrance community largely views Bleu de Chanel as an excellent designer fragrance that deserves its popularity, with particular praise for the EDP and Parfum versions. While some find it overhyped or prefer alternative fragrances, most agree it's a reliable, well-balanced everyday scent that belongs in any collection as a versatile baseline. The consensus is that it's popular because it genuinely performs well, not just due to marketing hype.”

“The r/fragrance community views Chanel No. 5 Parfum as an objectively masterful fragrance with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality control. While the Parfum concentration is highly regarded as the definitive version, its premium price and moderate longevity are considerations. Vintage versions are particularly prized for their softer aldehydes and pre-reformulation compositions.”

“The fragrance community overwhelmingly praises Chanel Egoiste as a classy, unique masterpiece that rewards patience and persistence. While some find the initial application off-putting, most who give it time come to love its exceptional composition and distinctive character. Vintage versions are highly sought after, though recent releases still maintain the fragrance's core appeal.”

“The r/fragrance community holds Jubilation XXV Man in very high regard, praising its beautiful complexity and dark sweetness, though acknowledging its premium price and shorter-than-expected longevity. Most users recommend sampling first before committing to a full bottle, and suggest the fragrance appeals to those who enjoy sophisticated, incense-based scents.”

“Promise is widely praised as a masterpiece rose fragrance with exceptional character and uniqueness, earning strong loyalty from both new and experienced fragrance collectors. While universally admired for its quality and distinctiveness, some find it slightly harsh, and its premium price point may tempt buyers into collecting the entire Desert Gems line.”

“Fracas by Robert Piguet is highly regarded as a classic tuberose fragrance that delivers a bold, sensuous floral experience. The community recognizes it as an iconic, influential perfume with impressive performance, though its intensity and in-your-face character make it better suited for evening and special occasions rather than everyday wear.”

“Joy by Jean Patou is widely respected within the fragrance community as a legendary classic worthy of inclusion on must-smell lists. Community members praise its iconic status, longevity, and elegant composition, though some note it requires familiarity to fully appreciate and comes at a premium price.”

“The r/fragrance community holds Guerlain in high regard as a prestigious perfume house known for exquisite bottle designs and complex, long-lasting fragrances with a distinctive oriental base. While classics like Shalimar and Vol de Nuit receive strong praise, users caution against purchasing from grey market sources and note that newer releases sometimes lack the traditional Guerlain character that collectors cherish.”

“Bois des Iles is highly regarded by the r/fragrance community as an exceptional sandalwood fragrance with a sophisticated profile that resonates with experienced collectors. However, the steep and climbing price point is a significant barrier for most users, with many seeking alternatives or decants due to the cost per volume.”

“The community consensus is highly positive, with The Moon widely regarded as one of the best oud fragrances ever made and a flagship niche fragrance that justifies its premium price. Users consistently praise its complexity, longevity, and quality, though many note it's best suited for special occasions rather than daily wear due to its intensity and unconventional nature.”

“Jardins de Misfah is highly regarded within the community as a gorgeous, well-crafted fragrance with a sophisticated take on gourmand scents. The saffron note elegantly balances the sweetness while the rosewater and Middle Eastern notes create a unique desert-inspired profile that works across multiple seasons, though it remains underrated and underrepresented in broader fragrance discussions.”

“Widian London is highly regarded in the r/fragrance community as a standout luxury fragrance with exceptional quality and a distinctive character. Users consistently praise its sophistication and uniqueness, with many considering it a signature scent worth the investment, though it's positioned as a premium offering best suited for cooler seasons and special occasions.”

“Pop by Stella McCartney receives positive community reception with strong praise for its longevity and distinctive character. The community highlights its unique appeal and versatile appeal across different preferences, though some note the fragrance can be polarizing in terms of sweetness and seasonality.”

“Blue Sapphire by Boadicea the Victorious is highly regarded within the fragrance community as a premium, sought-after scent worthy of holy grail status. However, the fragrance's significant cost ($1,000+) raises questions about value proposition compared to luxury fragrances at lower price points ($300-500), with community members noting the lack of mid-range bottle options.”

“The r/fragrance community views this collection very positively, appreciating its eclectic blend of niche and indie fragrances with sophisticated, well-balanced compositions. Community members highlight the brand's accessibility through specialty boutiques and the quality of customer experience, while noting these fragrances appeal to serious collectors seeking distinctive scents beyond mainstream options.”

“The r/fragrance community views Gilded Fox as a hidden gem with strong longevity and a captivating scent profile that justifies seeking it out. Multiple users describe it as a favorite fragrance despite the brand's limited retail presence, and finding it at discount stores is considered a lucky score at the $25 price point.”

“Signature Noir is highly regarded within the community for its refined quality and smooth composition, with one collector rating it a perfect 10. The fragrance appeals to experienced enthusiasts who appreciate well-blended niche fragrances, though its premium pricing makes it less accessible for blind buys.”

“The community celebrates this as an exceptional vintage find from Caron's legendary pre-1950 era. While the fragrance offers a beautifully complex floral profile with powdery and honey elements, collectors should be aware that vintage Caron perfumes can feel dated to contemporary noses, and the bottles themselves are delicate and valuable.”

“Bois Des Iles Parfum is highly regarded within the fragrance community, particularly praised for its extrait formulation which members describe as "sublime." However, its discontinued status and scarcity on the market present significant challenges for potential buyers, making it more of a collector's item than an easily accessible fragrance.”

“Opoponax by Santa Maria Novella is praised by the r/fragrance community as a refined, classically-oriented niche fragrance that appeals to curated collectors with discerning taste. The fragrance represents the brand's respected heritage and appeals particularly to those seeking sophisticated, non-mainstream options rather than hype-driven selections.”

“Mohur Extrait by Neela Vermeire Creations is highly regarded by those who have experienced it, earning praise for its sublime quality and performance. However, it remains relatively obscure with limited accessibility and a small voting base, making it a cult favorite rather than a widely validated community consensus.”

“The r/fragrance community overwhelmingly rejects age-based fragrance gatekeeping and celebrates Coco Mademoiselle as an ageless, timeless scent appropriate for anyone regardless of age. Users emphasize that personal preference trumps outdated rules, though some acknowledge the fragrance has a sophisticated, feminine character that works particularly well for work and formal occasions.”

“The r/fragrance community holds the 2011 original formulation of Dior Homme Intense in high regard as a genuine masterpiece and benchmark fragrance. The consensus strongly favors the original over current reformulations, which are perceived as inferior. Vintage bottles command significant collector premiums, reflecting their desirability and rarity in the secondary market.”

“The r/fragrance community holds the original Jasmin Noir in high regard as a distinctive jasmine fragrance with warmth and depth that resonates personally with wearers. However, frustration centers on its discontinuation and replacement with the notably different Splendida version, which many feel was poorly communicated by Bvlgari as a simple 'upgrade' rather than a reformulation.”

“Green Irish Tweed is widely respected as an exceptional masculine fragrance that delivers genuine compliments and justified classic status, despite Creed's controversial pricing and marketing tactics. Community consensus values it at $170-250 from discounters rather than retail, and many note its quality and longevity justify the cost compared to alternatives, though some prefer it at the original formula before recent reformulations.”

“The r/fragrance community strongly recommends Gentleman Reserve Privée as an excellent fragrance choice regardless of age. While it is a dense, mature-leaning scent, multiple users emphasize that personal preference should override age considerations, with some highlighting it as a unique differentiator for younger wearers.”

“Baraonda is highly regarded as a masterfully blended whiskey fragrance that garners exceptional compliments and appeals even to non-perfume enthusiasts. Most community members love its unique character and longevity, though a few find it overly syrupy or experience weak projection on their skin. It's considered a gem in the Nasomatto collection and a worthwhile investment for those seeking a sophisticated boozy scent.”

“Tom Ford Noir is highly regarded by those who appreciate it as an underrated, sophisticated fragrance with excellent longevity and depth. The community consensus is that it deserves more recognition, though it remains overshadowed by its sweeter Extreme flanker and requires time and proper skin chemistry to fully appreciate.”

“I Want Choo by Jimmy Choo receives strong community praise for its seductive, compliment-generating qualities and intoxicating character. Multiple users report being frequently complimented and approached about the scent despite it not always being their personal favorite. The fragrance is noted as versatile enough to appeal beyond typical scent preferences, with a profile reminiscent of Valentino's Born In Roma.”