I have a confession to make: I don’t really like Shalimar.

Legendary, timeless, romantic, the scent of mythologised maternal fur coats, swirling goodbye glamour. Shalimar does nothing for me. It did, I think. Back when I smoked. But I don’t know if that’s because my nose was different, my tastes were different, or the miasma of smoke and tobacco filled in a layer of the scent that I now miss. Now it’s just lemon drizzle cake. And while I truly enjoy a good lemon drizzle cake, it’s breaking no one’s heart.

Are you a die hard Shalimar fan? Teach me your ways! Are there any perfume classics you just don’t get?

originally posted 17 March 2019, outtake photo added 2025