“We all go a little mad sometimes..” -Norman Bates
Okay, who hasn’t gone a little nuts and just went for a blind buy online. I’ve done it with clothing- sometimes for good, sometimes tragically for not-so-good (do not trust the French when they call something “extra large”) So, the other day through some combination of fate, timing, coupons, and perhaps the phases of the moon I managed to score a full, sealed bottle of Patou Adieu Sagesse, which I have never tried and looking at the notes after purchasing, wasn’t sure that I would even care for.
Adieu Sagesse (the 1925 original) was the third part of a trilogy from Patou that started with Amour-Amour, went through Que Sais-Je? And finally landed here- the part of love where you finally fall, throwing caution to the wind, allowing oneself to fall heedlessly without thought of the possible pitfalls and heartaches ahead.
Reads like a blind buy, right?
This is of course not the stuff that the shopper at Patou or Saks or Bullocks Wilshire was getting in the 1920’s (or even the 1980’s)- this is part of the Heritage Collection that was released in the mid 2010s. I have a bottle of that vintage Colony and it’s fairly close to what the smidge of the old stuff I had smells like- of course without a wayback machine I can’t say how close. Marina at PST back in 2008 wrote of it as being carnation heavy, and carnation is for me somewhat difficult- it can be just lovely like the discontinued Miller Harris one I can’t remember the name of, or I can go a little funeral home and not in an interesting, goth, JAR kind of way.
So, am I head over heels?
Not really. It’s lovely- fresh white flowers with a crisp, almost apple-like freshness and the blameless carnation. As it wears on me it gets a little spicier and a little coconutty and slightly powdery. I don’t know if there’s something in it that I am simply not smelling or it’s the actual juice but I think I could bathe in this and not offend anyone with a perfume OD.
How much would you like this for your dressing table?
Of course that doesn’t exactly read like head-over heels, wild abandonment adoration, does it? I think it’s going to be more a quiet sort of love. But that sort is often more lasting, isn’t it?
This version is available on the interwebs at various prices, usually abut $85 for a large 3.3 ounce. Considering that Patou is dead as smelt, if you want it, grab it now. I did.
Images: My iPhone, Pexels and Wikimedia Commons
I love a good carnation – L’Origan (the vintage Coty) is fabulous as is Amouage Dia, which always brings to mind the lovely, late Gaia – she wrote a fabulous post about Dia. I was wearing it today – very ladylike…but with a certain sumpin’..
Oh, my dear scent twin. How I miss her.
Isn’t this the one that’s supposed to be for redheads? Or is that one of the other two in the series?
Redhead it is. Amour Amour is for blondes and
Que Sais-Je? is for brunettes. They are both pretty, but I love Adieu Sagesse (Farewell Wisdom) most of all and in more ways than one, even though I’m a brunette.
I’d like to try the other two, even though at this stage I’m none of these above (“distinguished silver” as John Irving wrote)
You’re right. This is the redhead one.
Blind buys can be tricky. I only succumb to the temptation of them a couple times a year. I cheat and look up notes first!
Well that’s hardly cheating.. At least not in my book.
Oh, I love a good blind buy story! Hey, it’s fun, and if we’re not thrilled with the purchase it can be gifted or sold or otherwise passed on … this doesn’t sound like the kind of passion I’d be expecting (or for that matter much like “me”.) I do love a carnation, somewhere I have a bottle of that cheap Russian (?) one. Thanks for the read!
Carnation is iffy for me- this one works. It’s just kind of.. quiet is the word I am thinking of..
I got a bottle of Chaldee in a swap and love it, it’s different from anything else in my collection. L’Heure Attendue is one I’d like to try.
So many I’d love to try. And own. I’d be living in a perfume museum
The only Patou I ever wore was Joy (the EdP years ago) and it just didn’t quite work. I never investigated further (probably my loss). I think a blind buy every once in a while is expected — how can we not? And I love carnation in perfume as it tends to be peppery and cardboardy on me but a bit sweeter and happier than iris. One day someone will get it in their head to reprise Caron Bellodgia well. I live in hope.
En Voyage perfumes Fiore di Bellagio smells similar to Caron Bellodgia, it’s very well made.
I think we’ve had this convo before and I looked. Not sure this line is easily available here. Which is too bad.
I ordered some samples so we will see..
Sorry about that, the repeat and poor choice.
Well, I found it useful- I wouldn’t have known to try it, and wouldn’t have ordered samples.
no worries. I’m just sorry I can’t get access to it. I’m not ordering from US right now as shipping has become ridiculous.
International shipping is insane. I wanted to ship a couple of IKEA shopping bags to Portia and it was just ridiculous. Then they basically stopped doing it at all…
Good to know..
Oh, if only! I got a smidge of the real deal Carons years and years ago, and oh my..
I bet it will grow on you as you use it up and then be a great sadness when you can never find it again Tom.
Portia xx
Oh, it’s growing on me..
I have a few bottles from the Heritage Collection; however, have never sniffed Adieu Sagesse. Curious now! I’m sorry these lovely perfumes have been discontinued.
I’m curious about some of the others. It’s a crime that this house is gone. Joy alone should be protected like the bald eagle..
The answer to your question under the picture is “very much”.
I am a big fan of Patou and was lucky to be able to try the trio – the 80’s version from the Ma Collection. All three are lovely but Adieu Sagesse is the one I love and the name is perfect. I’ll play with the idea of this last version bottle.
The bottle isn’t all that, although the packaging is nice. That coffret is just to die for..