I have very happy memories of scents in the 70s. It was the decade I went from nought to ten and grown up ladies were the blueprint of what I was to be become one day. I can’t be the only fifty something who remembers their mothers, aunts and grandmothers dousing themselves in Tweed. Everyone remembers it, but hardly anybody owns it. Except my friend Lisa who, as you know, is canny when it comes to perfume. Also my Mum wears Tweed, and she smells great. It’s a vintage style chypre, and it’s still around, if you know where to look.
Having been initiated into the chypre portal by Lisa, via Balmain de Balmain and Jolie Madame, I allowed a small bottle of Tweed to land by the till of my local chemist and fall into my bag in exchange for money. Oops!
Opening notes are clearly and loudly lavender and geranium. It reminds me of Le Maroc Pour Elle by Tauer, only because of the open skies/lavender opening, after that they part ways. The geranium keeps it prickly and sharply green and it reminds me of Elizabeth Arden Blue Grass for the first hour. I don’t actually enjoy the first hour of Tweed, but it gets better, trust me.
As it dries, settles and warms up, the lavender stays loud and the cinnamon adds spice and cosiness. There’s bold and blowsy jasmine- loud and proud, which hits the high notes before going all musty and chypre-y (Is that a word? it is now).
The base accords provide the bit worth waiting for; Oakmoss, vetiver, patchouli and benzoin. It’s a woody, mossy finish that lingers long beyond what anyone would expect for its modest price tag. Purists may argue today’s version isn’t the same, and they may be right, but I’ll take what I can get. Women in the 70s and 80s knew a thing or two about smelling good, and we owe them! Tweed is a dying breed, but it doesn’t deserve extinction.
Where to buy it
You don’t see it in the shops much, but Tweed is widely available on line. I get mine from Perfume Click nowadays, for just £12.99 for 100ml.
Disclosure
I have no affiliation with Taylor of London or Perfume Click. I use Awin affiliate links sometimes, which means I may or may not earn a small commission should you choose to use any links provided.
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