CLIVE CHRISTIAN - 1872 for Women

a Scent Samples review

Part of the Clive Christian Original Collection, 1872 is a modern reinterpretation of the original fragrance created in 1872 by The Crown Perfumery which was later acquired by Clive Christian in 1999. The women’s variation of 1872 is a floral/fruity, eau de parfum and was released in 2001.

Clive Christian perfumes are available in both men’s and women’s editions with each said to compliment its counterpart by creating a perfect harmony for the couple that chooses to wear them. Comparisons to 1872 for men are clear, and both fragrances are of a simplistic cologne style, with the male version being more aromatic and less floral.

1872 for women opens with a floral/citrus accord that is wonderfully fresh and has a little more depth than your average cologne style perfume. The eau de parfum strength is evident on first spray so it’s not a fragrance to be over sprayed. The classical style which the fragrance is constructed includes a citrus opening, floral heart and woody base. Top notes include bergamot, Amalfi lemon, blueberry and rosemary, the latter of which provides a subtle, aromatic and herbaceous quality to the opening. Blueberry is an unusual note and I’m not sure it would have been present in the original formula of 1872. It may have been used in this instance to lend a little sweetness to the scent. The floral heart consists of lily of the valley, violet and orchid, which work well with the other ingredients and don’t dominate the overall fragrance. Base notes include oakmoss, sandalwood and Virginia cedar. It should also be said, though marketed for women, this version of 1872 is quite suitable for men to wear and is better than the masculine version in my opinion. It strikes me as a closer interpretation of what the original 1872 would have smelt like, and is more natural smelling than its male counterpart.

1872 for women has good overall performance with average longevity of 6-8 hours. The fresh citrus notes eventually dry down to leave a semi sweet floral/woody accord. It’s a real people pleaser due to its clean and simplistic style though most of its projection occurs within the first hour of wearing, so you’ll be unlikely to blow anybody away unless you douse yourself. I recommend 4-5 full sprays to get the best experience out of it. It’s very versatile and can be dressed up or down for a variety of occasions, though the price point may see you want to reserve it for classier, formal events. For this reason, 1872 for women doesn’t present good value for money, given its simplicity and the many other similar fragrances priced far cheaper. It’s certainly very different from other offerings by Clive Christian, which tend to include a larger array of more complex and sumptuous notes.

The perfumer behind the fragrance is Patricia Choux, the same lady behind both versions of Clive Christian’s “No.1”, another release from the house which is marketed as the most expensive perfume in the world. Indeed No.1 is a very different fragrance from 1872 and this shows Patricia’s capability as a perfumer. She has also created X for Women for the brand amongst other creations for different houses.

The Verdict

I really enjoy wearing 1872 for women and find it to be a go to scent for those occasions when I’m not wanting to spend forever deciding what to wear. It’s a bit of a swiss army knife in that regard. It has an understated elegance with the enhanced performance of an edp, making it a good choice for those seeking improved longevity from cologne style fragrances. Its major downside is of course the pricing which must be said is rather high for what it is. Then again what it is, is a reinterpretation of a Victorian fragrance lovingly revived by a highly esteemed British perfume house. Maybe that’s a price worth paying but you can be the judge of that.

Rating

2 ½ out of 5 stars

"A very wearable and versatile offering from Clive Christian, though not unique and rather pricey"

1872 for Women retails in the UK for £275 for 100ml and can be found at Clive Christian boutiques and website.

Reviewed by

Patrick Cantwell - Fragrance expert and founder of Scent Samples