# The most iconic women's perfumes of all time

The women's fragrances perfume lovers call the great classics, from the 1920s to the modern best-sellers, based on perfume retailers' 'iconic' lists and Fragrantica discussions. Launch year in each.

- 301 votes · 16 items
- Jun 24, 2025 · K. Edwards
- https://even.best/en/l/149/the-most-iconic-women-s-perfumes-of-all-time

## Top 15

1. **Chanel No. 5 (1921)** (29 · ▲31 ▼2) — Ernest Beaux's aldehydic floral, the best-selling perfume of all time; Marilyn Monroe wore 'just a few drops'.
2. **Guerlain Shalimar (1925)** (29 · ▲31 ▼2) — The reference oriental: vanilla, bergamot and the secret 'guerlainade'.
3. **Dior J'adore (1999)** (22 · ▲24 ▼2) — Golden floral bouquet, one of the world's top sellers.
4. **Yves Saint Laurent Opium (1977)** (18 · ▲21 ▼3) — Spicy oriental that caused a scandal with its name.
5. **Lancôme La Vie est Belle (2012)** (16 · ▲19 ▼3) — Iris and praline gourmand, a best-seller for a decade.
6. **Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb (2005)** (15 · ▲15 ▼0) — Sweet floral explosion in a grenade-shaped bottle.
7. **Thierry Mugler Angel (1992)** (14 · ▲18 ▼4) — The first gourmand: patchouli, caramel and chocolate in a star bottle.
8. **Chanel Coco Mademoiselle (2001)** (12 · ▲13 ▼1) — Fresh oriental with orange and patchouli, a modern classic.
9. **Dior Miss Dior (1947)** (11 · ▲18 ▼7) — Born with the New Look; today a rosy chypre-floral.
10. **Estée Lauder Youth-Dew (1953)** (10 · ▲12 ▼2) — Started as a bath oil and turned perfume into an everyday American habit.
11. **Calvin Klein Obsession (1985)** (10 · ▲12 ▼2) — Amber oriental of the Kate Moss era ads.
12. **Nina Ricci L'Air du Temps (1948)** (10 · ▲11 ▼1) — Spicy carnation floral in the Lalique dove bottle.
13. **Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (2014)** (9 · ▲10 ▼1) — Coffee and vanilla, the gourmand of a new generation.
14. **Jean Paul Gaultier Classique (1993)** (7 · ▲10 ▼3) — Orange blossom and vanilla in the corset bottle.
15. **Guerlain Mitsouko (1919)** (7 · ▲9 ▼2) — Peach chypre, one of the oldest perfumes still sold.
16. **Dior Poison (1985)** (6 · ▲9 ▼3) — Plummy, tuberose-laden 1980s statement scent.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.