White Linen

When I was in my late teens, I had the pleasure of sitting behind a woman in church who wore a signature scent that captivated me. Although many people found her perfume overwhelming, I thought it was lovely. She revealed to me that she wore White Linen, and shortly after, I purchased a bottle for myself. However, due to my lack of understanding about how to apply perfume at the time, it eventually got set aside. Fast forward to today, I've been searching for a unique yet timeless fragrance that would be all mine. Months ago, I remembered White Linen, and when I saw it on sale with 30% off, I grabbed another bottle. This scent is truly amazing! Initially, it's crisp and green with floral notes in the background. As the freshness fades away, the florals take center stage and remain for hours. This perfume lasts a long time on me, although its projection diminishes after an hour or so. In contrast to that woman at church, who could be smelled from afar, I'm content with this subtle presence. I'm now on the hunt for a matching lotion to enhance the scent's longevity and projection. I've fallen head over heels in love with White Linen and plan to always keep a bottle nearby. Although I enjoy exploring different fragrances, I can see myself returning to this one again and again – especially at bedtime when I like to drift off to sleep surrounded by its beautiful aroma.

Here is the rewritten comment: Back in the early 2000s, someone close to me gifted me a bottle of EL White Linen, a scent I had always been fond of. We were students at the time and would often visit perfume counters together. The gift came when our relationship was nearing its end, marked by bittersweet emotions. The memories associated with WL became too overwhelming for me, so it sat untouched in my closet. Years later, I thought about revisiting this perfume as a nostalgic treat. When I went back to my childhood home, however, I couldn't find the bottle anywhere. My mom claimed she had never seen or touched it before, and its disappearance remains a mystery. Although I still pass by Estée Lauder stores occasionally, the scent no longer transports me to those carefree days. Instead, I'm left with a vivid mental image of what WL once smelled like: effervescent aldehydes that evoked a sense of limitless possibilities. It was as if the perfume held the promise of new adventures waiting over the horizon. Since then, I've had many experiences and am now in a much better place. Despite the passage of time, White Linen still embodies optimism and gratitude for the journey ahead.

I've worn both the revised and original versions of this perfume, and I can distinctly identify the individual notes in the older formulation compared to the newer one. In the vintage version, I'm immediately struck by the aldehydes at the opening, which linger on my skin for about half an hour before other scents emerge. I can detect subtle nuances of rose and carnation, followed by a noticeable presence of oakmoss after two hours, with its characteristic lasting effect. Interestingly, the vintage perfume even revisits the initial aldehyde note towards the end. In contrast, the current iteration released in stores is dominated by aldehydes and a bright, sparkling lemon that persists for hours without much variation. While I do appreciate the longer-lasting quality of this newer formula, I miss the richer, more complex notes present in the vintage version.

White Linen embodies the essence of freshness, invigorating and clean, with an undeniable sparkle. It may not be my top choice among aldehydes, but it serves as a benchmark for me due to its unique characteristics. The modern version requires liberal application to last throughout the day on skin and clothes, yet still maintains its crispness. The fragrance's ability to evoke a sense of fresh mountain air is unparalleled; it can transport me to a state of serenity with its clean breath and coolness. While it may be too intense for winter, I find myself reaching for it year-round. The aldehydes take center stage, leaving the flowers and green notes in their wake. As the fragrance dries down, I'm left with a subtle veil of colors dancing on my skin, evoking shades of green, yellow, pink, purple, and white. Mossy undertones are present throughout, culminating in a warm ambery drydown that soothes the soul. White Linen reminds me of stepping out of the beach with a wet swimsuit, feeling the heat on my cold skin as droplets evaporate. It's an emotional scent that transcends mere fragrance. The vintage version, by contrast, is creamier and more powdery, with aldehydes serving as a background note after a couple of hours. The flowers bloom, and the mossy undertones envelop me, accompanied by civet and honey notes that imbue the scent with warmth and sensuality. The amber drydown has a spicy, sexy quality. In terms of longevity, I'd rate the modern version 6/8 and the vintage 9/9. A tip for enhancing the fragrance: try layering it with a musk-heavy perfume and then applying White Linen on top to recapture some of its original essence while maintaining its signature coolness.

Current EDP made in Switzerland embodies the essence of "clean", "soapy" and "crisp"- crisp like a freshly laundered, dried, starched, and ironed white fabric, indeed. I had high expectations for this perfume, which I ordered without testing (a costly mistake). Unfortunately, it strongly reminds me of L'Air du Temps and First, which I dislike due to their bitter notes. In contrast, Chanel 5, a scent I appreciate, bears no resemblance to White Linen. Upon application, I failed to detect any peach or other prominent notes; this perfume is akin to sublime soap, androgynous, unisex, and linear. The sterile and immaculate quality of White Linen borders on the non-perfumey, if you will. It lacks floral, mossy, woody, fruity, aquatic, spicy, or sweet characteristics... essentially, it's a sense of nothingness, stillness, cold, scrubbed whiteness. While intriguing, this scent is not pleasant for me.