Woman III (1986) (Eau de Toilette) by Jil Sander

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.... sie umarmt dich etwas spröde ... und gibt doch so viel Wärme .... - sophisticated .... :) (by IrisNobile)

Woman III Jil Sander 1986 Eau de Toilette

Version from 1986

8.4 / 10 150 Ratings

A popular perfume by Jil Sander for women, released in 1986. The scent is chypreartig-spicy. Projection and longevity are above-average. It was last marketed by Lancaster.
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Main accords

Chypre

Spicy

Woody

Floral

Green

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Aldehydes

Coriander

Bay leaf

Bergamot

Hyacinth

Nutmeg

Orange blossom Pepper

Pepper

Rosewood

Heart Notes

Geranium

Lily of the valley

Orris root

Carnation

Honey

Jasmine

Tuberose

Rose

Ylang-ylang

Base Notes

Oakmoss

Sandalwood Benzoin

Benzoin

Cedar

Patchouli

Amber

Musk

Vetiver

Coconut

Vanilla

Perfumer

Michael Romani

Ratings

Scent

8.4150 Ratings

Longevity

8.7116 Ratings

Sillage

8.1108 Ratings

Bottle

7.3110 Ratings

Value for money

8.315 Ratings

Submitted by Lissy · last update on 12/05/2025.

Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

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Woman III (1986) Perfume

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Reviews

21 in-depth fragrance descriptions

11/06/2023

9.5Scent 9Longevity 9Sillage

Ringtale
142 Reviews

Ringtale

Last marketed by Coty, not Lancaster

When it was still being marketed by Lancaster, this was a beautyful chypre. I still don't understand why that version was discontinued. It was a lovely green to flowery, bright scent with a little bit of mystery inside and so unique. Actually I found this the best Jil Sander scent ever...It was a much like the bright opening of Jean-Louis Scherrer Eau de Toilette,
Later it was marketed by Coty and it had become an aftershave kind of scent, nothing like the original; I seldom complain about reformulations because I often find those complaints a bit overdone and maybe sometimes born out of selffulfilling prophecies when people expect a major change when perfumes are being reformulated, but - in this case - the change was dramatic indeed. I suspect that the previous reviewer may also have (had) the Coty-version.
Now it's discontinued. A vintage, original one may be available on some websites, but only for those who can afford it.

Updated on 03/23/2024

02/12/2012

8Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

Callas
187 Reviews

Callas

The old days

There was a so-called 'milk bar' in my hometown. I, however, doubt that there were milk, shakes or even ice was consumed. It was rather a despicable bar and meeting place of the pot-smoker scene. *g* Preferably rockers on motorcycles drove up. This was into the 70s.

Aldehydes, spices and flowers are dominant! It doesn't disturb me. Nothing bites me. It doesn't last long and I am also restored into last years.
No, not into the milk bar. I was too young at the moment. Everything becomes so beautifully sharp, smoky, woody - Patchouli, groups, which assemble in the youth meeting - I am there now.

For me an absolute energy smell which also men could use.

10/11/2022

9Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

BelAmi
25 Reviews

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BelAmi

Top Review 41

First Love. And then came Jil Sander III

It was the early 2000s. The wedding had been canceled at the last minute. The white dress remained unworn. We had been a couple since our teenage years. We had seen each other almost daily for a good 10 years. For me, it was clear that we would stay together, forever. In our mid-20s and for about a decade, we were a WE. Well, he had been staying out later for some time - work appointments. It was part of his job. He was short on money everywhere - his self-employment wasn’t going as it should, but there was me and my job. And I hadn’t started my studies because of HIM; he didn’t want to leave our hometown, and a long-distance relationship was out of the question. But my vocational training was good enough, everyone said. 14 salaries. Everything very secure, albeit a bit boring. It carried us through everyday life and annually through two shared vacations. And then? While tidying up, there were these papers on the desk. Bank statements that testified to regular cash withdrawals. Amounts that exceeded his balance. And an envelope containing handwritten notes. Love letters to a woman. His handwriting, but the letters were clearly not addressed to me. For the first time in my life, the ground trembled beneath my feet. Complete disbelief. The clarification was banal. The money was gambled away. The recipient of the letters had had enough of him and packed everything into an envelope and gave it back to him. And there lay the envelope now, on our home desk. Placed there to be found. After this discovery and his explanation, we never saw or spoke to each other again. The wedding was canceled. Friends had sensed it, as so often - yet said nothing. I left the shared apartment, the hometown, and started a new life. My life. A liberating blow (you only realize that later). And along with it, a small bottle of Woman III (1986) Eau de Toilette. Until then, I had worn perfumes that one wore back then as a young woman, Eternity Eau de Parfum, Poême Eau de Parfum, CK One Eau de Toilette. But none of that fit anymore. Too tight. Too sweet. Woman III (1986) Eau de Toilette had my back. So intense, spicy, and a bit mysterious. The distinct oakmoss note, the angularity, left no doubt that the girl days were over. The honey note still gives the fragrance something feminine. Somewhere it says that the perfume reminds one of aftershave. In the realm of women's perfumes, it may seem masculine, but I would like to politely disagree regarding aftershave. This scent is so much more. It is close and distant. It is changeable, depending on the weather. In winter, the dark green oakmoss note comes out stronger, in summer the warm-spicy honey note. With Woman III (1986) Eau de Toilette, my black clothing that I wore from that day for a long while, and occasionally red lips, I could walk upright. That was 20 years ago. The dress hung as a reminder in my wardrobe for another 20 years. I haven’t missed the man for a long time. But I deeply regret that Woman III (1986) Eau de Toilette has been discontinued.

Updated on 10/11/2022

11/24/2021

10Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

Greenfan1701
209 Reviews

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Greenfan1701

Top Review 25

When I was young

Sometimes I drift off into my thoughts and reminisce about the 80s. How young we were back then, how beautiful life was.
No Corona, no pollution, no corrupt politicians (at least we didn't know about it ;-) ), no whatever.... ;-)

Of course, that's nonsense; there was plenty of unpleasant stuff back then too, but you tend to forget that, it's only human, right?!

What I have never forgotten is the scent of Jil Sander Woman number three. An extraordinary brew, but back then I simply didn't think about it. It was bought, applied, smelled amazing, and that was it. When the bottle was empty, it was just repurchased.

Over the years, however, we lost touch, and every now and then I thought I should get it again. And what happened? It was no longer available, oh shock. This can't be true, what a shame. I was sad, but there were so many other perfumes.

Well, what can I say, a friendly sales associate had it just a few hours in the souk, and I was probably the first to ask about it for once. And now I have it, isn't that amazing?

The perfume is really hard to describe; it’s spicy, woody at the same time, has a hint of aftershave, but those are just moments when it smells like that, it feels so familiar to me, yet also foreign, it’s elegant but also boyish, it’s floral, yet not very feminine, it’s... well, what is it, it’s unique, I’m sorry, I can’t describe it.

Just look at the notes, everything is there; one might think the perfumer didn’t quite know what to do. But far from it, the components come together perfectly, and I can’t say, like Monsieur Leimbacher, that it doesn’t touch me deeply.

But it doesn’t help; it’s simply no longer available in stores, it’s an oldie, (way too expensive - see > Bucht). I’m very glad I managed to snag a small bottle and will cherish it dearly, only spraying it occasionally, just for me.

06/16/2021

7.5Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Leimbacher
2877 Reviews

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Leimbacher

Top Review 22

Shaving Water of the German Woman

"III" by Jil Sander is a very green-purist fragrance. It feels very unfeminine, rough, scratchy - but what does that really mean? Especially from a perfume that has never consciously experienced the 80s, let alone olfactorily. Back then, it was certainly much more acceptable than today. Shaving water for the woman of the world. Today, that is still possible. No XX-chromosome bearer should limit herself. Only in the designer market, shaped by sugary little fruits or refreshing shampoo scents, is this hardly imaginable anymore. Almost regardless of whether in the men's or women's section. Unfortunately. Very sad. Such hodgepodge fragrances are missing in the non-niche world.

"III" is almost pure oak moss on my skin. Green, herbal, barbershop-like with a kick. It really reminds me of several classic men's aftershaves. Given the massive fragrance pyramid, it is surprising that hardly any other facets appear on my skin. Hints of rose perhaps. Regardless of whether at the beginning or later on. But what "III" does, it does well. Unremarkable, but solid. Cool, androgynous, emotionless. It only touches me peripherally. Although I adore the 80s and love to indulge in them, regardless of the art form. Reminds me of "G-Man".

Bottle: fully Sander and 80s
Sillage: subtly masculine
Longevity: 6-7 hours - that was below average back then

Conclusion: today it is clearly unthinkable, back then it was already daring and harsh - "Woman III" is a unique Jil Sander. A classic of rough taste. And of course also wearable by men. However, there are significantly more complex and better alternatives in the men's section.

More reviews

Statements

24 short views on the fragrance

JonasP1

3 years ago

9Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

Spicy rockets explode
Falling
On warm-soft mosses
Hanging soapy
Caught in cedar branches
Where bitter and quiet
Flowers have newly sprung...

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Seta

2 years ago

8Scent 10Longevity

Dry, yet noble and complex. Clove shines. Unfortunately, a herbaceous-animalic note slowly creeps in, which dampens my enjoyment.

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Schalkerin

4 years ago

8Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

Bought it in the 80s but never really wore it.
A very strong scent, but still good.
As an EdT, it's as long-lasting as today's EdP.

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Ergoproxy

5 years ago

10Scent 10Longevity 8Sillage

It had class and style! Fresh, slightly soapy aldehydes, a cornucopia of flowers without sweetness, and an extra dose of moss in the base. Timeless.

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Yatagan

6 years ago

8Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

This chypre combines everything that defined the 80s olfactorily: complexity, androgyny, style: spicy, woody, green, floral, leathery.

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ParfumAholic

3 years ago

9Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

At first, it really smells like aftershave, but then it turns into a serious, unplayful, green-soapy-woody chypre. Uncompromisingly straight like JS fashion.

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