The last time I wrote about Borneo 1834, I focused on its adventurousness, which goes hand-in-hand with the alluring but discomforting shadow of orientalism that is such a such a big part of how I experience this fragrance.
But as we all know, part of what makes fragrances so fascinating is that they are both old and new, in different degrees, each time we wear them. And so I thought, why can’t I have two “reviews” of Borneo on my blog? Or three, or four, if it strikes me?
Today, instead of cutting my way through a tropic jungle in 19th Century Borneo, I’m marching down the corporate hallway. It’s cold, and it’s very early in the morning. I’m carrying a coffee and a stack of papers, and I feel the way I always want to feel at work: calm, focused, able to enjoy all the things I love about my job. My mood is being helped by my perfume. Borneo 1834 feels either like a projection of the “real” me or a projection of who I want to be, and it’s nice to be able to package this persona up and take her to work in the form of a fragrance. It becomes a kind of compass when all the minutiae of the corporate world feel overwhelming.
I’m so grateful for perfumes like this. Do you have a fragrance that strikes you similarly?
For a real review of Borneo 1834, click over to Bois de Jasmin.
Photo of limited edition bell jar of Borneo 1834 courtesy of Scentsate.
It’s so funny Natalie, I was thinking just this while on the bus on the way in to work this morning. In my case it was Vol de Nuit edt that made me feel this way. A reflection of me that made me feel calm and ready for the day ahead.
Post as many reviews as you like! Often a fragrance will strike us differently and bring up different feelings over time so it makes sense to mirror that on the blog.
I always remember your Vol de Nuit post on days like that. You captured that mood so perfectly when you wrote about it.
I enjoyed hearing another take on one of your favorite perfumes, Natalie, and know what you mean. Chanel No. 22 is like that for me: some days I think of it as a very celebratory fragrance, while one others it is the perfume that makes me feel steady, sure and well-mannered.
That is another great one, Suzanne. So commanding, but not overbearing.
Shalimar expresses the Dandy’s more artistically inclined outlook when all around him is apparent corporate grey.
I adore these snap shot impressions for that is how mostly we experience perfumes, on others at least.
A description of notes alone is simply the choreographic notation for a ballet – it is not the dance itself.
May I invite you to some to Paris with me… by way of example only…
http://theperfumeddandy.com/2013/02/14/un-premier-amour-a-first-love-cabochard-by-parfums-gres/
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Thank you, and yes, I would love to go to Paris!
I’ll hop on over there shortly. Shalimar is an excellent choice for avoiding the mundane.
Borneo was a little bit too much on me, I passed on that scent
It is definitely a presence!
Ooh, Borneo is my flittersniffer Twitter livery! I am not sure I have the right to use it as such (almost certainly not), but I did write to Serge Lutens inquiring about the origins of the figurine and a friendly exchange of emails ensued, so I like to think they wouldn’t mind if they knew….
But to the matter in hand. I am feeling as though Guerlain Angelique Noire perfectly fulfils that role today (and I am also working for once!), as did Safran Troublant the other day. A lot of winter perfumes feel very right in this weather, it would seem. Ironically, I didn’t know what to make of Borneo the last time I tried it, but it was ages ago.
I think you’re onto something re: winter scents. The things I reach for in the summer don’t seem to fit this bill as much. Perhaps No. 19. And yippee for friendly emails from Serge Lutens!
I like Borneo a lot. I’m not sure if I like more than some other similarish patchouli scents (e.g., Dark Passage). I have that sample you sent me – I should give it more wear.
For me, perfumes that give me the feeling you mention tend to be very well-boned ‘French’ perfumes – Chanel Cristalle EDP (not EDT), Arpege, etc.
Susan, Am wearing Cristalle EDP to work today and loving how it is making me feel.
Yay! I have a soft spot in my heart for that one ever since I wore it to my job interview for my current job (after several years of underemployment/disappointment).
There are several similar patches out there. In the end I decided I preferred Borneo to Dark Passage, but DP is definitely nice. And Cristalle EDP I can see being a real powerhouse as well.
Those are serious statements you’re making then, fortune favors the bold!
I have so much love for this one.
I remember when you posted “Why don’t I own an FB of this?” and I had been thinking the same thing, or maybe had just gotten mine. Synchronicity.
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Oh, by way of update – I saw this and all sorts of other magical things at the Palais Royale this very weekend.
What a wonderful store it is and how much does one want to come away from there with everything.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Ah, wonderful!
Glad you like the pic I used! I forget where I found that one.
So perfumes that are me, but better. Hmmm. Borneo’s a good one, basically a relaxed and poised free spirit. I’m going to take that one a little further and say I’d wear Patchouli 24. It’s “the essence” of me but bolder, hipper, and most importantly, more cohesive than I am on most days.
This post made me think. I love that.
Yes, I think that is the prettiest bottle of Borneo. Too bad it’s not the one I own (though I doubt I’d use that much, either). Great description of Patchouli 24 in terms of personality. I hadn’t thought about it being cohesive, but it really is, isn’t it?