Savoy Steam Penhaligon's 2017 Eau de Cologne
17
Very helpful Review
Just a (handsome) face in the crowd
The Janus-faced metaphor of the 'face in the crowd' I have used before for another fragrance, namely Jil Sanders Strictly - in that case, because I found it uninteresting and not memorable - simply a perfume that I couldn't recall just minutes after smelling it. And yet, I sometimes find a certain charm in being 'just a face in the crowd'. On some days, I don't want to stand out, I don't need to shine - without feeling uncomfortable or wanting to hide. Sometimes I am just fine and completely content with low visibility. For such days, there are hardly any perfumes.
When I follow the marketing campaigns for any fragrance - or the blogs and comments here, I always read demands for 'distinctive', 'characterful', 'unmistakable', 'long-lasting', and 'sillage'. I think that's great, and I often want that too. However, I certainly don't want that all the time. What is largely missing are beautiful, high-quality, and special fragrances that are like a white cotton shirt or good, well-worn shoes and do not immediately triumphantly scream 'classic!' as soon as you smell them - and which are not cozy scents but can confidently take a step back.
In my comment on Penhaligon's Savoy Steam in the Eau de Parfum variant, I have already tried to express my enthusiasm. Finally, there is one that brings history to rock - finally, Penhaligon's is cool again! Here is now the Eau de Cologne, which - at least I have perceived it this way in several British Penhaligon's stores - is presented more as masculine than unisex. And even in the Eau de Cologne variant, Savoy Steam is wonderful - it is related to the Eau de Parfum - of course! - and yet different. Here is a fine gray-blue breeze for all those days when I want to be 'just' a face in the crowd.
When the same melody, the same song is played once by a full orchestra - and once only with the piano - or sung a capella - you will certainly recognize the song again - and yet it will sound completely different, the mood it conveys will be different. Savoy Steam Eau de Cologne has less Jermyn Street grandeur (what a wonderful paradox - now that I write it), less rose and less fougère - both are there! - but it has more bath towel, more fine soapiness - and more poetry. For all the many days when it shouldn't be a grand appearance - and yet it is a truly fabulous fragrance.
Conclusion: Penhaligon's has got it again. I never really doubted that.
When I follow the marketing campaigns for any fragrance - or the blogs and comments here, I always read demands for 'distinctive', 'characterful', 'unmistakable', 'long-lasting', and 'sillage'. I think that's great, and I often want that too. However, I certainly don't want that all the time. What is largely missing are beautiful, high-quality, and special fragrances that are like a white cotton shirt or good, well-worn shoes and do not immediately triumphantly scream 'classic!' as soon as you smell them - and which are not cozy scents but can confidently take a step back.
In my comment on Penhaligon's Savoy Steam in the Eau de Parfum variant, I have already tried to express my enthusiasm. Finally, there is one that brings history to rock - finally, Penhaligon's is cool again! Here is now the Eau de Cologne, which - at least I have perceived it this way in several British Penhaligon's stores - is presented more as masculine than unisex. And even in the Eau de Cologne variant, Savoy Steam is wonderful - it is related to the Eau de Parfum - of course! - and yet different. Here is a fine gray-blue breeze for all those days when I want to be 'just' a face in the crowd.
When the same melody, the same song is played once by a full orchestra - and once only with the piano - or sung a capella - you will certainly recognize the song again - and yet it will sound completely different, the mood it conveys will be different. Savoy Steam Eau de Cologne has less Jermyn Street grandeur (what a wonderful paradox - now that I write it), less rose and less fougère - both are there! - but it has more bath towel, more fine soapiness - and more poetry. For all the many days when it shouldn't be a grand appearance - and yet it is a truly fabulous fragrance.
Conclusion: Penhaligon's has got it again. I never really doubted that.
Translated · Show original