Soul Costume National 2015

I actually just wanted to write a statement about Soul, but I found it difficult to beautifully condense my scent impression into 160 characters, so I guess I must be the first to write a comment about this fragrance.

Costume National is a fashion label that was previously unknown to me. The clothes seem quite cool and modern, but ultimately, Soul is also a designer fragrance.

What is offered? Well, regardless of the scent impression, pragmatically speaking, you get an Extrait de Parfum for about 100€/100ml, which is quite a statement.

So how does it smell?

The opening strikes me as quite familiar, as Soul starts off sweet-ambery and slightly smoky. This has become more common in recent years. Added to this is a minimal, somewhat oddly sour note and a subtle, but very pleasant almond-like aspect.

So far, so nice and pleasant, so unremarkable.

But after a few minutes, the fragrance takes on a facet that surprises me a little. Fabric softener. Yes, really. As if the opening is being washed in. Because it continues to accompany the scent profile, yet Soul suddenly appears very clean and somehow, as if it were a Costume National laundry detergent, after which my laundry smells.

This may sound unusual, and I actually sniffed twice to be sure, but fundamentally it also feels incredibly rounded and pleasant. Moreover, it's a rather brief impression that only paves the way for the dry down.

Here, Soul reminds me again of other, already known fragrances. For example, I think I recognize parallels to L'Homme Ideal EdP, because a pleasant creamy-ambered vanilla is combined with a slightly medicinal-oudic leather note. Additionally, there is an indeterminate fruity-floral impression for me.

Towards the end of the development, I perceive Soul as somewhat smokier again. Here it is primarily a smoky vanilla. Just as rounded, harmonious, and fragrant as already known.

Now, this may sound like I find Soul totally boring. But no..., because the exciting part happens with this fragrance in the projection. There it feels incredibly pleasant and significantly more intriguing than when you smell closer to the skin. I can hardly describe how Soul affects me here. Essentially, the scent impression from the skin fits in the projection as well, but from a distance, everything appears much more multifaceted and even more harmonious.

Soul connects already known, but certainly very good elements of recent times. The result is a fragrance that may evoke memories of one or another perfume, but still has its own refinement, especially due to the exceptionally pleasant projection. Soul should appeal to fans of both niche and mainstream fragrances alike, and I find the price-performance ratio here to be appropriate.