Y

This was a test order for my wife. The base description gets it spot on: An understated, pleasant, green Floral. Not really signature fragrance material, but anyone could wear it anywhere and have it be appropriate. I would also argue it is unisex. A mild 'like' for me.

Y. the very flacon of 100mL Edp which I bought in the late 1980s, still 'sits' in my Collection. I can vividly remember (and I do not have such good 'memory-skills') when and where I bought it and what was the incling I just had to buy it. inspired as I was by Opium my thought then was to have an equally good perfume from YSL where, if they had produced such good perfume they had certainly come up with another... while this thought now may have seemed misplaced in hindsight it occurs to me that in that time I started to learn some things about perfumery, the specific 'Groups' and 'Maisons de parfum' under which they could be categorized. I still have that same bottle which is turned not from light green as that is the Edt, rather from a lightening yellow into a warm, more satiated and macerated golden hue. where I had (a time ago) reviewed Balmain's Ivoire (1980) and then now had expected a confusion into delving into this superbe perfume (from 1964) whereas there are certain similarities yet there was not so much similarity as in the fact they are both Dramatic Chypre perfumes. but the comparison ends there. from the beginning (and remembering the evening I walked between the isles of the cosmetics department of the Chic Warehouse in Rotterdam) I was met by an austere, feminine, quite dark and dangerous perfume where I immediately felt its presence and perseverance. I then didn't know much about Chypres, Aldehydes, Florals or Orientals but I knew YSL had made another great perfume with Y and had to have it. this was in the very 1980s decade where my perfumes of privilege were all the Hefty, Heady Hookerperfumes and this then somehow formed a distinctly other perfume. but like Chanel No19 & No5, if there were differences, then not in Impact. as I also love Miss Dior and Estée Lauders Estée and Private Collection I would soon learn about the distinct category that were the Chypres. so I never hesitated and bought the Y Eau de parfum and spritzing it on again this morning I am amazed by its smoothness and invitative nature. it doesn't show the 'Pastoral Side' Ivoire de Balmain has. instead we are immediately placed inside the Les Salons de Haute Couture de Paris as you then had Chanel (by Karl Lagerfeld), YSL, Christian Dior (by Marc Bohan), Balmain (by Eric Mortensen), Scherrer, Ungaro, de Givenchy. which offered all, fabulous fashions and about which I was monthly informed by Fashion magazines as Vogue Paris (which costed 24 guilders !), Vogue US, Harpers Bazaar US, Vogue UK & Italia and 'W'. Y then, was an early perfume in fact the first Women's perfume from YSL. it was in a league all of it's own (well, it wasn't ...) . what strikes me now is the strong character of the perfume, the supple transition from the bitter aldehydic opening unto the realm of the Les Fleurs de Luxe. with Plum and Peach, Fruits I do detect in perfumes, in come the Queens. Gardenia, Honeysuckle, Hyacinth, Rose, Tubereuse, Iris (Orris root), Jasmine and Ylang Ylang. the sturdy beginning of this perfume I had remembered being much harsher but now it bestows upon me a more soft, feminine and smooth way it seduces us with as the Temptress she is. in retrospect this is also with the perfume (a veritable perfume which I also acquired) I remember it having lured me in inbetween the said isles of Cosmetics on that infamous evening. I have a feeling the civet makes the perfume both softer and fuller. I know of some other Civet-Aldehydes perfume which certainly has reminesces with Y: Oriza L. Legrand's Marions Nous (1914- 2014). Y certainly is a Leo perfume, which Yves Saint Laurent himself were, as also Mlle Chanel as also Madonna is (and I am not while I do have my share of Leo's). Y has that regal radiation of Chic and Poise. that the Icy Cathérine Deneuve (a veritable Capricorn) frequented the Salons of Yves by then, shall have contributed much to the Irreverent Sophistication of this Very Perfume.

Just loved the fragrance

Reformulated version: A green, fruity peach and plum, honeysuckle, gardenia, and jasmine opening. Then, hyacinth, jasmine, ylang ylang, and orris. Maybe a touch of rose. A touch of patchouli and oakmoss. It remains basically a fruity floral and it does not progress, as if it's frozen stuck. A fruity floral, cloying and synthetic. Nothing like the vintage version. Totally disrespectful. Gosh, this is gross.

This is so sharp like ammonia. I hardly get any peach plum or sweetness. It's oakmoss, civet, aldehydes, and floral notes.

My 70 something year old aunt has an empty old bottle of this, the peak old woman smell, it reminds me of her.

This would be oakmoss lovers' dream. It smells like oakmoss juice (if such thing exists). The similarity to Miss Dior is very very clear due to excessive smell of oakmoss in both. However, Miss Dior is much drier and dusty/powdery while Y feels more liquidy.

The modern offerings of YSL and other marques are reminiscent of candy stores. Sweet, chewy perfumes which invite the senses to feast and to indulge at the buffet. This Y is truly the Spirit of the 60's ( and 70's)- it is an invitation to an riotous olfactory party. It leaps at you in a blast of verdant rebellion and then it seduces you to enjoy its banquet of white flowers and fruit. It is a joyously successful party where everyone is having fun. From the most ebullient laughter to the quiet exchange of deep conversations. When the party is over in the small hours of the morning it finally settles itself with a gentle sigh. To quote my kids: " that is some weird juice....." Why yes. Yes it is.

YSL Y opens with sparkling aldehydes and a rush of fresh green; they’re soon joined by the nectared sweetness of hyacinth and a lightly musky undertone from the civet. Over time the floralcy overtakes the green, and I’d call this a hyacinth-forward floral more than the “green scent” Y is usually billed as. It actually reminds me of a more casual, less fussy Madame Rochas. Y gestures at the same sixties-era aldehyde elegance as Madame Rochas, but it feels more modern; and both fragrances lead with hyacinth, set off with green notes and other spring flowers. Y has more edge, thanks to that musky undertone, a pleasantly gritty oakmoss base, and a little green spark of galbanum. If Madame Rochas is a perfectly coiffed mom who made a gourmet picnic lunch, Y is the messy-bun and maxi-dress mom I actually am, who takes a stroller to the farmer’s market. It’s sunny, fresh, sparkling, and has a brain. What’s not to love?

Nothing new can be put in my review of course that has not been said. I have the vintage parfum version of Y...it is a classic chypre & beautiful. 💚

Perhaps the most beautiful bottle of eau de parfum I have had the extreme pleasure of using was a natural vapo of Y de Yves Saint Laurent, at this time (circa 2000) others similar were Paloma Picasso, First & Rive Gauche, the eau de parfum concentration was so very lush and powerfully long lasting with the unctuous juice the colour of liquid gold, Oh how I miss wearing this stunner & in my opinion one of the best chypre's created in modern perfumery, honeyed peach and mirabelle plum nestled in a gorgeous high quality patchouli, galbanum, vteyver civet & amber, YSL was a very hard act to follow back then, "Where have all the flowers gone"? It is of course still available but not in the sublime concentration of yester year, at least I was able to experience this fragrant treasure, the vintage parfum is just as good if kept well in a cool dark space only used sparingly alongside Opium & the spectacular Rive Gauche, vintage Paris was another multi-faceted rose that deserves a special place within YSL's lineup of vintage masterpieces, I rest my cast!!!

Just found my OLD "touch point pen" bottle . It says "Concentrated Cologne". This is sweeter than the other versions I have smelled. More mild / smooth . This "pen" is probably from the 1980s. I love it! Gives that "mother / teacher / aunt/ grandma HUG" feeling.

My bottle was pushed behind 20 other bottles; I know that it's been at least 2 years since I wore it. I'm savoring the drydown, it's a tiny vintage extrait bottle. I wish I knew how old it is. Currently, the biggest presence is flowers- galbanum, hyacinth and rose. When I huff my wrists, I do smell oakmoss and civet. pushing their way through (it's been about 15 minutes since I dabbed it on). I'll update in another 20 minutes. Right now the patch and benzoin are stepping forward and mixing with the oakmoss and civet. The flowers are just a whisper at this moment. Candidly, I prefer the opening, but the beauty of the whole composition is exquisite. I'll update in the next 30 minutes. I hope that perhaps a few flowers will reemerge. In this final stage of drydown, the flowers are almost nonexistent to my nose. On second huff I get a hint of hyacinth; but it's clearly unfolded to an old-school classic chypre IMO. I'm fortunate to have a few classics in my stash.. Vtg Coty Chypre, Vtg Crepe de Chine and Grossmith Golden Chypre. If your tastes are similar to mine, try to find the Vintage Y extrait and savor this beauty. It will not disappoint.

I have just received the old version Y, a splash bottle, 100ml all new for about 30 Euro's. Wow, I know I love scents with civet... It may not be politically correct but as it's an old bottle I don't mind. And yes, it's one of those addictive oldfashioned perfumes for the wealthy / old money world. At least, that's how it smells to me. The whole scents screams: CLASSY!!!

What can I add to the poetic reviews of some of previous fragrant-o-philes? Alphairone said it all and others too. Enough said!

I have 2 vintages - BOTH different! 1) Spray with built in white plastic top : this one is VERY "green". This one is probably early 1980s / late 1970s. 2) a rollerball . mid to early 1970s ? Sweeter , less "green" . Pretty . This is the one I prefer.

I would go so far as to say the original parfum formula for YSL's *Y* is one of the greatest green, patch forward multi-floral chypres ever created, the modern offering is a pale thin floral without much character, my memories of spraying the heavy glass eau de parfum 100 ml. bottle with the gold cap are just that, memories, this along with Van Cleef & Arpels *First* parfum are two of the best chypres of the past few decades, just thought to share these long lost dear departed friends, RIP...

WHY isn't this fume listed on the site - only the new male edition? What disrespect to the fab YSL. I scored a sealed 1960s Parfum and wow - no greens, fruit or aldehyde here, it's pure mossy skank with a whisper of floral (maybe the top notes sank under the civet?) This reminds me of something Germaine Cellier would have produced - just gorgeous

I have a 3.5 ml bottle of the parfum. Not one of the ancient parfum bottles with the glass stops from the 60s, it's one of the more recent parfum bottles with the plastic stop. An artful showcase of texture distended across time. I think this has unlisted violet, otherwise I'm unsure how it imparts a watery top note. Some trick with the aldehydes? The lactonic peach certainly smooths it out. Refreshingly crisp hyacinth & white flowers at the heart of this otherwise edgeless, dewy, green chypre. The rose is subtle but it does a lot to keep Y smelling clean and smooth late into the drydown. The base has a bit of warmth, but is moreso earthy, muted, powdery. I'm impressed by the sophistication of this perfume. Imagine how hard it must be for perfumers to get galbanum, hyacinth, and oakmoss to play nicely. Y prevails at every stop along the journey. This is the vintage chypre for those who prefer green notes to fruits and florals. Undeniably one of the more prim, staid chypres, and nowhere near as popular as Rive Gauche, but it's well made and it smells fantastic. One of those perfectly chiseled pieces that belongs in a museum. It might be my favorite fume from this designer, and I've been consistently impressed with all of their older offerings. With how immaculate and ladylike it feels, I think it could make for a good bridal scent. Perfect for the warmer months, Margiela take note~ this is the authentic "Springtime in a Park" experience.

Another great classic from YSL. Green floral and earthy. Unisex. Definitely try if you are into green floral chypres.

Very close to Givenchy III, which I adore - possibly more than No.19 (gasp). Y seems a touch brighter to my nose than III, and soapier in the drydown: the latter has a robust and intoxicating wood/amber/moss drydown. Excellent stuff nonetheless - at least in the case of my virtually unused 50ml from 1999 (Sanofi) EDT.

starting off i get a very green floral and something that reads as citrus to my nose, maybe galbanum? i think the strongest floral note starting out is honeysuckle. basically this smells like a grassy, sunny garden full of flowers. after about 30 minutes i get a strong rose note that dominates the perfume. a few minutes later i get more woods and greenery and it's turn more masculine leaning. this one really morphs and changes a lot over time. very fresh and green if you like that sort of thing.

I have for a very longtime wanted to experience the fragrance, Y. I'd like to know if I can still purchase Y at department stores, online fragrance shops, or is it a fragrance you just happen to find at maybe TJMaxx and flea markets. Also the same for Givenchy III. I would love to have the experience of wearing a fragrance yesterday that is an elegant, clean classic.

I have two vintage bottles of this in my collection. No wild bells 'n' whistles here, just a very good green bulb-flower chypre... Refreshing and clean and Spring-like. It's said that this fragrance is a favorite of Julie Andrews. That seems appropriate to me; clean, proper, mature, put-together, impeccable.

YSL Y etd Original/Vintage (Launched In 1964) 🗣This And Guerlain's Chamade edp, Both Remain My Mother's Two All Time Favourite Chypre Perfumes To This Day!! And They Certainly DON'T Make Perfumes Like This Anymore!! Y Is A Chypre"s Lover's Absolute Fantasty In A Bottle!! That Is Perfectly Suited To Both Sexes!! Clean, Green And Fresh, With Just The Perfect Amount Of Added Powderness, Like A Walk In A Cool Green Shaded Forest, After A Heavy Shower Of Rain, Where All That Green Moss Growing On Tree Stumps Really Comes Alive To Fragrance The Air Surrounding You!! Wearing Y edt, Is Like Wearing A Fresh Stepped Out Of The Shower Feeling All Day Long!! This Perfume Does NOT Resemble Chanel 19 In Any Way!! But Very Similar To: Guerlain's Chamade, Dior's Original Miss Dior, And Givenchy's III. And Is Pure Undiluted Class In A Bottle!!

A classic chypre of this era, a 1964 issue. Y is a clear predecessor to the amazing Diorella which has a very similar structure, the soapiness, the elegance. Y presents with aldehydes on top, oakmoss at the base and galbanum, hyacinth and green notes with hints of fruit in the middle. I prefer balanced sweetness over chypre sourness in general but cannot fault the quality of this classic fragrance and understand its dedicated fans.

I am brand new to this forum, so I'm hoping that I'm following the rules... Vintage Y 1964 has been my fragrance since the late 70's. It feels as if it were created for me. I have always been able to source it - Fragrance.net was where I last purchased it. In the mid 1990's, while visiting Miami, I was told by a perfumery that Y was being discontinued and I wouldn't be able to find it. So, I purchased 8 bottles of the Eau de Toilette. It lasted for years. Once depleted, I made purchases on Ebay, etc. at a reasonable, competitive price. Wanting to have an extra bottle, I tried Fragrance.net. No luck. As with other hard to find products, some sellers on Ebay are gouging potential customers with their pricing. If anyone knows where I can buy a "new" bottle of Y vintage 1964, please DM me. Thank you!

Vintage bottle 1980s : Coriander bomb ! well, it feels that way . I guess it's the "green". Not sweet or pretty .

I now know what "green" is in a fragrance & this is it. It's very clean and soft, with a hint of powder. While it is lovely, it's not for me. I prefer something sweeter, more sultry, and more vanilla-amber. This would be a nice fragrance for the office or a meeting. It's like wearing a fresh shower. At first, it's a bit loud but calms down after about half an hour when it gets much softer and more powdery green. It never does lose that fresh shower vibe. It only lasted about 3 hours on me and after the first couple of hours, I could only smell it on my clothes. One would have to be standing very close to me to really notice it after more time than that.

The original Y has the sonority of french horns, the vivacity of a woodland nymph, and more charm in just its few opening seconds that many perfumes can muster in their entire development. It is sunshine, blue skies, budding trees, sparrows singing, green and yellow, shimmering and bright. All the joys of a mid-century chypre are here, composed like a Burt Bacharach song with Dionne Warwick a plum and Dusty Springfield a peach, gliding over galbanum strings and aldehyde flutes to a bridge of green, bright, punchy florals, bursting into joyful cascades of coloratura. Luxury soaps and shampoos dreamed of smelling this dreamy, the modern perfumer toils to articulate this and too often falters, a multitude of memories are distilled through its throw, igniting olfactory receptors into a frenzy of longing and tender fondness. And it's a very mossy, shadowy fondness retreating deep into the dark mysterious woods like foxfire.