Private Collection 1973 Eau de Parfum

Private Collection (Eau de Parfum) by Estēe Lauder
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8.2 / 10 311 Ratings
A popular perfume by Estēe Lauder for women, released in 1973. The scent is floral-green. The longevity is above-average. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Floral
Green
Chypre
Spicy
Woody

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
HoneysuckleHoneysuckle Citrus notesCitrus notes JasmineJasmine
Heart Notes Heart Notes
CorianderCoriander Orange blossomOrange blossom Ylang-ylangYlang-ylang
Base Notes Base Notes
SandalwoodSandalwood PatchouliPatchouli

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
8.2311 Ratings
Longevity
8.4253 Ratings
Sillage
7.8241 Ratings
Bottle
6.8230 Ratings
Value for money
8.044 Ratings
Submitted by Kankuro, last update on 07/26/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
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Reviews

18 in-depth fragrance descriptions
7.5
Sillage
7.5
Longevity
10
Scent
Coutureguru

223 Reviews
Coutureguru
Coutureguru
Top Review 17  
Historical Perfumery Landmark
When I write a list of my top 10 fragrances (a daunting task best left for sometime in the future :o/), Private Collection will undoubtedly be on it more than likely somewhere close to the top. This is not because it is earth-shattering or so different that it brings on that "OH MY GOD ... I have to have a bottle NOW" feeling ... simply just because it is so constant!

I've been around this fragrance for a long, long time! It has been my Mother's signature since the late 70's, and harks back to a time in perfumery when wearing something like this was a status symbol, because even at that time it was considered 'expensive'. I remember being very frustrated that I would have to save my pocket money for at least two years to afford a bottle of this as a gift! As luck would have it, I had a job with Lauder for a short while when I left school and was able to give my Mom a bottle of extrait for Christmas that year! She still has it :) ... along with all the others I have given her since.
When Lauder reformulates, they generally do so in a sympathetic way that retains the original spirit of the fragrance. Private Collection has lost its 'monster sillage and longevity' but retains all of its fabulosity! A superb green floral leaning heavily in the Chypre direction, this fragrance carries all of the hallmarks of what Mrs. Lauder tried to create ... a little piece of luxury for everybody! The deft handling of the Oakmoss, Patchouli and Cedar in the base is a masterstroke of blending. I have taken to wearing this of late as it is completely unisex in the way that many floral chypre's tend to be 35 odd years on.

I yearn for the days of fragrances such as these, when just a drop of extrait carried half a block away. A few spritzes of Private Collection remind me why I am a fragrance fanatic in the first place!!
5 Comments
7.5
Longevity
5
Scent
Missk

1357 Reviews
Missk
Missk
Very helpful Review 7  
A scent that should remain private
I wanted to try this scent because I liked the sound of the notes and thought that perhaps it would be a little similar to my all-time favourite Burberry Weekend.

Well, similar it is not. This fragrance goes on very strong, it almost knocked me out. It has a very distinctive, mature and old-fashioned type scent.

It was very difficult for me to sniff my wrist to get a proper description for reviewing this scent because the fragrance was so heavy and overpowering. I can sense the greeness in this fragrance, however, like Chanel No.19, all I could smell was wet grass.

From a distance I didn't mind the scent. It was a rather intense, powdery and likable blend of floral notes. However, up close it smelt like rotten vegetables, dangerous chemicals and spicy herbs.

This fragrance is certainly not my cup of tea, however I am reviewing this fragrance from a younger perspective. Perhaps when I am older I will appreciate this scent more, but I doubt I will ever be adding this to my collection.

I have concluded that this is either a love it or hate it type of scent. To me this fragrance is far too potent and unpleasant for my liking.

EDIT:
I am re-visiting this fragrance nearly two years on, and I must say my opinions and tastes have differed. While I don't love Private Collection just yet, it is surprisingly soapier than when I last tested it. That rotten smell has vanished and what is left is a rather mature and clean floral green.
1 Comment
jtd

484 Reviews
jtd
jtd
Helpful Review 7  
Thanks for sharing, Mrs. Lauder.
This fragrance is beautifully balanced. Green florals, grass, woods, powder, moss. It’s funny the way we rewrite gender over time. I’m sure this was prissily feminine at the time it was released, but if a niche house released this today as a masculine and used all the synonyms for fresh (too down-market to use the word itself) to describe it, this would sell like mad. I can hear it. “A new type of masculine scent. Tonic and Brisk, with just enough Sass and Daring to be powdery.”

I shouldn’t make fun. This really is a brilliant masculine. Feminine, too, for that matter. I love green chypres and usually lean toward the leather variety. This one has not a trace of leather, and in fact is pretty light on moss to my nose. What appeals to me is the balance of its ingredients that overall gives an impression of flowers, leaves, and mostly, grass. This is what the lawns in utopia smell like. Just plan ahead; this stuff is powerfully strong and lasts days.
0 Comments
10
Bottle
7.5
Sillage
10
Longevity
10
Scent
Callas

54 Reviews
Callas
Callas
Very helpful Review 4  
Noble refinement
Refinement, because the components appear newly again and again. The head note is with sparkle refreshing and cool. Green notes follow.
I sink in a Jasminbouquet which doesn't seem too sweet or oppressive at all.
The heart note doesn't want to let itself be seen with me; I skip her because the Sandalwood and Patchouli want to push to the front.

I am like Hermessenz. With some delay the coriander is heralded; there are still the sharp notes and the jasmine suddenly then appears again . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pure refinement and I follow Andi 'the smell gets more and more beautiful for duration'!
0 Comments
6
Pricing
4
Bottle
9
Sillage
9
Longevity
5
Scent
Kurai

388 Reviews
Kurai
Kurai
Helpful Review 5  
Body lotion
Sunshine and countryside flowers. I dont get much green, honestly. If any, the greens are turning yellow. Dehydrated by intense summer heat.

Yet, Private Collection feels extremely creamy. More like a body lotion than a perfume. The scent itself is a pretty straightforward honeysuckle on sandalwood. The lack of development, subtlety and finesse is compensated by a loud and everlasting performance. Chant d'Aromes done the American way, perhaps.

But right now that really doesn't matter. Summer is here and I'm feeling great! I'm in the mood for road trips and picnics, so let's go!

By the way, this is the current version, that has supposedly replaced the original EDP. The box is labeled 'Eau de Private Collection Spray' and the bottle is the frosted glass type.
0 Comments
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Statements

3 short views on the fragrance
GobetthomasGobetthomas 5 months ago
1
Scent
Smells exactly like Cilit Bang
0 Comments
RingtaleRingtale 2 years ago
7
Bottle
8
Sillage
8
Longevity
9
Scent
One of the most beautyful scents I've ever smelled, even after reformulation. It's in my collection again and it is ultimate happiness!
0 Comments
ChapeauClackChapeauClack 10 years ago
10
Scent
This really only needs one word to describe it: perfection.
0 Comments

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