What’s that smell? Floral, soapy, powdery, with a hint of musk – scents that probably remind you of your sweet grandma’s living room. Well, you’re not wrong, although you’re probably smelling them on somebody a lot younger because grandma perfumes are Gen Z’s new, and unexpected, fragrance obsession.
Forgoing fresh, citrus, or vanilla scents in favour of vintage classics, grandma perfumes are popping up all over TikTok at the moment. But what does it mean? ‘You smell like a grandma’ doesn’t exactly sound like a compliment… “To me, a grandma fragrance simply refers to a vintage scent that people often associate with an older generation – I don’t view it as a negative term,” says Camryn Kim, AKA TikTok fragrance aficionado Cammy Reviews. “It can actually be quite meaningful when said with kindness. It reminds me of my grandmothers, both of whom have incredible taste that’s been really influential in shaping my own.”
For these fragrances, you’ll be looking for notes including: ylang-ylang, rose, cumin, civet, and heavy aldehydes. “Notes that were especially popular in the latter half of the 20th century,” Cammy explains. Modern interpretations that layer florals and spicy notes also give what she describes as “grandma fragrance energy”.
It’s an interesting about-turn from the good-enough-to-eat gourmand fragrances that you’ll have been seeing everywhere recently – a sweet selection of marshmallow, caramel, honey, brown sugar, and chocolate scents. But why are grandma perfumes the antidote? “People have grown tired of perfumes that smell like specific real-world things,” says Cammy on the switch. “There’s a kind of magic in wearing a fragrance that smells like nothing else. It speaks to a broader cultural moment – a contrarian stance that resonates with many millennials and Gen Z. People are increasingly drawn to things that feel intentional or nostalgic, as a way of rejecting trends that come off as empty or performative.”
Want to dip your toe into grandma fragrances but aren’t sure where to start? If you’re lucky enough to have them in your life, try asking your grandmothers what their signature scents are. Cammy shares that her grandmothers are longtime spritzers of Estée Lauder Knowing (“timeless and elegant”) and Jean Desprez Bal à Versailles (“rich, opulent, and fabulous”). Elsewhere, she suggests Miller Harris L’Air de Rien which she describes as “a bit dusty and stale in the most fascinating way” or Guerlain Mitsouko – “a completely unique classic that still feels one-of-a-kind today,” she says. Other choices include cult classics like Chanel No.5 or Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 and modern floral fragrances like Byredo Casablanca Lily or Gucci Flora Gorgeous Jasmine.
An interesting and unlikely choice for your summer fragrance rotation, it’s understandable that grandma perfumes aren’t for everyone. Not to your taste? Fear not, Cammy gives her advice on finding your signature scent if your search continues. “I have a TikTok video breaking this down,” she says, “but my biggest tip is to smell as much as possible: perfumes, places, objects. Note what resonates and how it makes you feel, think about the mood you want to evoke with your scent. There’s a whole world out there and finding your signature scent should be fun!”
Whether you want to smell like a granny, a sweet dessert, or fresh and clean – the rulebook has been well and truly ripped up. Perfumes for boys, perfumes for girls – who cares? Fragrance is personal to each of us and all about showing (or smelling like) your personality. With so many options to choose from, check out our round-up of best perfumes as a starting point – you’ll be on the road to your signature scent before you know it.
