Bandit in a dress. I have been known to wear Fracas and Bandit at the same time–not in confined spaces, I promise–usually one on skin and one on a scarf, and Jolie Madame has a rather similar effect but with far more coherence, more wit, and a big bunch of violets.

This vintage EDT doesn’t really last, but it’s so very good while it does. Even though it’s in that precarious afterlife of any vintage juice–where some of the top notes have wandered off to talk to someone more interesting, and everything else feels a little sun-faded–it’s still got a deliciously pervy beauty, and that pack-a-day leathery laughter in the base.

I am such a Germaine Cellier fangirl. I’m going to have to hunt down some of Jolie Madame parfum, right?

originally posted 18 March 2019