Hi there Posse. Earlier in 2020 I wrote this spiel over at A Bottled Rose: Over the last couple of years I find myself drawn to lavender. When Jersey first came to my attention in 1012 I thought it boring and banal. The name annoyed me and it really felt like CHANEL were putting out a poor version of mens fragrance and flogging it to women as a NEW IDEA. The lavender vanilla combination reminded me of Carin Pour un Homme and Le Male by JPG and I already had those immaculate creations, why would I want some watered down, dried out version. Since then my tastes have evolved and the perfect poise of Jersey, it’s uncluttered, sheer, almost musical perfection now takes my breath away. Perfect for time alone, calm, reflective and still.
Jersey by CHANEL
Les Exclusifs de Chanel: Jacques Polge 2011
Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Tonka bean, rose, musk, lavender, jasmine, vanilla, grass, wildflowers
Lavender opening is fresh and delightful, it has a fresh cut flowers from the garden green-ness and something softly resinous. After a short while Jersey warms a little on my skin and becomes very comfortable and slightly lived in, soft and intimate but still noticeable that I’m fragrant. Jersey is one of those fragrances that feel small but are in fact really good projectors and leave a wonderful sillage.
There is a clean, comfortable and fresh aspect to Jersey that is like wearing your favourite T-Shirt, freshly washed and direct from the line. The colour is slightly faded and the fabric floats on your body, there but not there, a whisper of Jersey fabric that is both part of you and not. Jersey fragrance is similar, infinitely more wearable for me than Hermessence Brin de Reglisse, it is a warmer, smoother version of a lavender-centric fragrance.
Through the life of Jersey the lavender makes guest reappearances paired with different notes. Sometimes creamy vanilla/lavender, later green/lavender, then lightly spicy rose/lavender. Then combinations of more than two notes, it’s an intricate duck & weave pattern that keeps me on the edge of my nose for hours.
CHANEL counters and boutiques have Jersey EdP and Extrait
I particularly love this video of the creation of a CHANEL Coromandel Watch.
Did you try Jersey? Is CHANEL a house you click with or aspire to?
Portia xx
Okay, I’m very late! I did this overnight working thing, and I’m not good at those anymore, it took two days to catch up. I did like Jersey, even though I’m not a big fan of lavender, but it was not my fave of the line.
I like Jersey… for all 10 minutes that I can smell lavender. Then it feels a little too sweet. I wouldn’t mind wearing it if I happened to have it but I won’t be actively seeking it.
What a bummer Undina. Like many of the modern CHANELs it needs you to spend real time with it before it clicks. I found the same with 1957 and Boy.
Portia xx
Ok, I love lavender and this sounds awesome! Maybe after I’m released from captivity I’ll seek it out. In the meantime I have Jicky and Pour un Homme to keep me company.
Hey Pam,
Jersey is a light weight version of lavender, for those days when you don’t need/want to wear it big. It’s a perfect fit for almost everything.
Portia xx
shudder The name always intrigued me, made me think I’d love it. It somehow sounds like a sister to Beige. But I loathe lavender in fragrance so this one is a huge no for me.
HA! Yeah, if lavender makes you want to puke then steer clear of Jersey Jo. You’ll hate it.
Portia xx
The notes sound lovely, but I remember trying it and not being enthused. Same with most of the Chanels actually, it’s not really my house. For my lavender tonka fix I reach for Fourreau Noir by Lutens. Other lavender favourites are Vero’s Kiki, Lavandes Trianon by Lancome and Mon Guérlain.
Yes to Kiki and Mon Guerlain!! The latter is Pickles favorite!
Yeah TaraC,
I 100% get that people might be meh about Jersey. I was too until suddenly I wasn’t.
Is Lavandes Trianon by Lancome the one that March is all excited about?
Portia xx
I like a lot of Chanelle older offerings but wasn’t exactly thrilled with reformulations and new releases. I am still angry that Chanel got after TPC and STC about the decanting, so I can’t test any of the new stuff. I mostly gave up on Chanel but still saving up on a bottle of Coromandel.
Hey Eldarwen22,
Yeah, CHANEL did themselves no favours when they went all C&D on the decanters. I think they misunderstand their market a bit.
Coromandel is still lovely in EdP, maybe a little flatter on opening but that could also be new bottle blues.
Portia xx
Not a huge lavender fan in fragrance since I associate it with skincare and sleep/pillow spray type things (which I do enjoy). HOWEVER. That Maison Lancome lavender thingy is absolutely delightful and making me rethink my lavender stance.
Yeah March. I totally get that lavender hits a different button for you. I think it does for quite a few people.
Excited that the Lancome has given you even a twitch for it in fine fragrance.
Portia xx
Anything lavender floats my boat and I have tried both Jersey and Boy a while ago. I haven’t bought a Chanel since they made no 22 into an exclusive. During these crazy times I would rather give my limited discretionary income to a very small artisanal line such as St Clair Scents or Sonoma Scent Studio. Or even better, an animal sanctuary or animal shelter. They are truly taking hard hits now.
Yeah, I often think of you and Pour Un Gimme.
You know I had to sell on most of my vintage No 22 because they started giving me terrible headaches. My money is on the old aldehydes.
I kept a white & gold lipstick case and a splash. Just for the pure pleasure of having them.
Yes, you’re right. Not working means no spare moulah for fun stuff. I think I’ll be OK till this all passes. No chance of running out of perfumes.
Portia xx
Portia, my love, you have ten lifetimes of glorious perfumes. I expect to be named in your will LOL! Although you will, in all likelihood, outlive me.
I got a tiny bottle of the Extrait as a gift from a client and it left me cold. A very brief hit of lavender and burnt sugar and then gone. I gave it away to someone who likes the bottles as eye candy. Maybe an EdT would work better but I’m not a huge lavender fan.
WOW Bee! What a let down. Also, what a sensational gift!
If the extract left you flat then the EdT will bore you to tears.
Portia xx