My mother was also a war bride. She wore the required girdle and bra with pointy cups. My father at some point bought her Channel number 5. She wore a less expensive scent on most days. Channel was for special nights out. It went with the fire engine red nail polish she wore on these occasions. I remember her scents so well. I have a handkerchief of hers that still smells of Channel. I don’t know what will happen when the scent fades enough that I can no longer detect it.
My Jewish mother was also born in 1921 lived in New York City (where I was born and raised) married in 1943, and was a lover of Chanel No 5 so your essay really spoke to me. My mom never left the house without a girdle, makeup, hair and nails done, and a dab of the 5 - even if she was just to walk a block to the bank. I'm so glad the Chanel has survived, but that girdle did not!
That brought a tear to my eye. Wonderfully well put together. She sounds amazing, your mother. I love the parallel timelines. Enjoy her and a very Happy Birthday to her.
Emily, lovely essay. After reading it this morning, I did a single squirt of my bottle of Chanel No 5 that's been tucked away in the medicine cabinet since the pandemic began. Thank you!
So evocative. I love the lifting up of the sexuality of our mothers. Mine died at 99 in 2006 after a lifetime of batting her eyelashes. I share your memories of lying awake when my parents came home after a night of partying. Also the corsets (without underwear in my mother's case) and she was born in 1907.
Loved this! So evocative. I have my own memories of Chanel #5. What Chanel should do in a campaign slogan is have women write in their favorite memories of the perfume. I bet there would be so many!
Wow. What a wonderful piece. I grew up in a family where my mother was allergic to everything, including fragrances, and no perfume was ever allowed in our house. But once in a while, as a babysitting teenager, I'd go to a home where the woman was applying perfume for her night out. I absolutely loved everything about that -- the little glass bottles, the romance, the specialness, and yes, the fragrances. Thanks for this evocative story!
Mar 3, 2022·edited Mar 3, 2022Liked by Emily Rubin
So beautifully written...you brought back similar memories of my own mother, especially after she'd come home from a night on the town. I have her bottle of Chanel No. 5 and just took a whiff, evoking an even stronger sense of her. Fun trying to suss the notes you described...not sure I get the scent of fresh laundry, but I love that Coco did as it's also one of my favorites. Thanks for this lovely story, and a toast to your mother!
My mother was also a war bride. She wore the required girdle and bra with pointy cups. My father at some point bought her Channel number 5. She wore a less expensive scent on most days. Channel was for special nights out. It went with the fire engine red nail polish she wore on these occasions. I remember her scents so well. I have a handkerchief of hers that still smells of Channel. I don’t know what will happen when the scent fades enough that I can no longer detect it.
My Jewish mother was also born in 1921 lived in New York City (where I was born and raised) married in 1943, and was a lover of Chanel No 5 so your essay really spoke to me. My mom never left the house without a girdle, makeup, hair and nails done, and a dab of the 5 - even if she was just to walk a block to the bank. I'm so glad the Chanel has survived, but that girdle did not!
That brought a tear to my eye. Wonderfully well put together. She sounds amazing, your mother. I love the parallel timelines. Enjoy her and a very Happy Birthday to her.
Emily, lovely essay. After reading it this morning, I did a single squirt of my bottle of Chanel No 5 that's been tucked away in the medicine cabinet since the pandemic began. Thank you!
So evocative. I love the lifting up of the sexuality of our mothers. Mine died at 99 in 2006 after a lifetime of batting her eyelashes. I share your memories of lying awake when my parents came home after a night of partying. Also the corsets (without underwear in my mother's case) and she was born in 1907.
So sensual! I want to buy a bottle to add to my enjoyment of your memories
Loved this! So evocative. I have my own memories of Chanel #5. What Chanel should do in a campaign slogan is have women write in their favorite memories of the perfume. I bet there would be so many!
Emily- a lovely piece and I'm sure that your mom is pleased that you have these wonderful memories of her and your father! Fran Colombo
Wow. What a wonderful piece. I grew up in a family where my mother was allergic to everything, including fragrances, and no perfume was ever allowed in our house. But once in a while, as a babysitting teenager, I'd go to a home where the woman was applying perfume for her night out. I absolutely loved everything about that -- the little glass bottles, the romance, the specialness, and yes, the fragrances. Thanks for this evocative story!
So beautifully written...you brought back similar memories of my own mother, especially after she'd come home from a night on the town. I have her bottle of Chanel No. 5 and just took a whiff, evoking an even stronger sense of her. Fun trying to suss the notes you described...not sure I get the scent of fresh laundry, but I love that Coco did as it's also one of my favorites. Thanks for this lovely story, and a toast to your mother!
Thank you for this wonderful story.
What a lovely, evocative piece.