As a dedicated fragrance lover who sometimes enjoys three different scent moments in a single day, I have spent countless hours exploring Reddit's r/Fragrance, ordering samples of niche juices, and learning that my favorite citrus note is bergamot—even though I have never actually seen one in real life. When friends and friends-of-friends need a romantic floral for a special occasion or a not-too-aquatic aquatic for a picky husband, they know I am on it.
I am always on the lookout for new bottles to add to my personal collection. While that sometimes means exploring what is new, it often means looking back—specifically to the 1990s, a decade when most of the scents I sprayed came from Bath & Body Works. Now, I am rediscovering the designer perfume classics I once coveted while walking through my local mall's department stores. These are the ones I believe are worth a second sniff.
1. Calvin Klein CK One
The unisex fragrance that changed perfume history. Clean-girl minimalism existed long before TikTok, and Calvin Klein CK One eau de toilette, which debuted in 1994, basically invented it. The iconic unisex fragrance mixes fresh citrus, green tea, musk, and soft woods for a scent that still feels incredibly modern nearly three decades after launch. I especially love that you can grab a 6.7-ounce bottle now. Available at Amazon and Ulta.
2. Clinique Happy
It is called Happy for a reason. There is a reason Clinique Happy eau de parfum has been a bestseller since it first appeared in 1997: it genuinely smells happy. Packed with bright citrus and soft florals, it is cheerful without being sugary, making it the kind of easy everyday perfume people reach for when they want compliments but do not want anything too heavy or serious. Available at Amazon.
3. Estée Lauder Pleasures
A floral for spring? Yes, please. Here is a question friends and friends-of-friends often ask me: where do I go when I am looking for a floral scent that still feels fresh and not like a bag of potpourri? My answer is 1995's Pleasures eau de parfum by Estée Lauder. The soft blend of peony, lily, lilac, and rose keeps things fresh and romantic without tipping into powdery territory, making it ideal for anyone who wants a classic floral that still feels modern. Available at Ulta and Amazon.
4. Ralph Lauren Polo Sport
A sporty scent with quarterback-of-the-football-team vibes. Peak 90s sporty energy lives on through 1994's Ralph Lauren Polo Sport eau de toilette. The fresh citrus-and-mint fragrance smells like clean laundry, a luxury gym, and expensive sunscreen all at once, which probably explains why people still keep buying it decades later. Available at Amazon.
5. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea
A classic freshie that smells like summer. Fresh, clean, and instantly recognizable, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea scent spray is the kind of nostalgic fragrance that somehow always feels cool. With its crisp citrus opening and spa-like green tea notes, it smells like stepping out of an everything shower in the best possible way, and it is impossible to overdo on sticky summer days. A piece of fragrance lore: Green Tea, which launched in 1999, was created by Francis Kurkdjian, the perfumer behind the now-iconic Baccarat Rouge 540. Available at Amazon.
6. Mugler Angel
A sexy scent in an Instagram-worthy bottle. If you love bold fragrances that announce themselves the second you walk into a room, Mugler Angel eau de parfum is still that girl. The ultra-famous modern gourmand scent (it was one of the first to do sweet notes in such a new way) layers chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and patchouli into a rich, dramatic perfume that feels equal parts glamorous and nostalgic—it is a true diva's scent. Available at Ulta and Amazon.
7. Chanel Allure Homme
A fragrance giant's 90s concoction that still feels timeless. It feels impossible to make a list of fragrances without including Chanel, and this is my pick from their 90s releases. Chanel Allure Homme was developed by Jacques Polge, the brand's lead in-house perfumer from 1978 until 2015, and it has the kind of understated sophistication that never really goes out of style. The blend of citrus, tonka bean, cedar, and vetiver feels polished and grown-up, like the kind of scent you would reach for on the most special occasions. Available at Ulta and Sephora.
8. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male
A legendary perfumer's first cologne. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male eau de toilette is another Francis Kurkdjian scent, and it came out in 1995, when the fragrance legend was still in his 20s. It remains one of those colognes people recognize immediately after one spritz. The warm blend of mint, lavender, vanilla, and amber gives it that classic hot-guy-at-a-fancy-dinner energy, while the iconic torso-shaped bottle still looks just as fun on a vanity as it did in the late 90s. Available at Nordstrom and Amazon.
9. Dior Hypnotic Poison
The fragrance equivalent of wearing a silk slip dress and a leather jacket. Dior Hypnotic Poison eau de toilette has maintained cult status since it came out in 1998, and for good reason. The warm blend of vanilla, almond, coconut, and jasmine creates a creamy, almost root beer-like sweetness that somehow feels both cozy and seductive, making it a fantastic date-night pick. Available at Ulta and Sephora.
10. Acqua di Giò Pour Homme
For a true Italian summer moment. One whiff of Acqua di Giò Pour Homme and you are instantly transported to a yacht somewhere on the Italian coast. The aquatic citrus fragrance, which came out in 1996, has been a staple for decades thanks to its fresh marine notes and clean finish that smells polished without trying too hard. Officially a men's fragrance, this is one that feels totally unisex. Available at Amazon and Nordstrom.
11. Donna Karan Cashmere Mist
If quiet luxury were a fragrance. Few fragrances feel as luxurious as 1994's Donna Karan Cashmere Mist eau de parfum. Soft notes of jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla, and musk are subtle enough for everyday wear but elegant enough to become someone's signature scent. As a bonus, the matching deodorant is an Internet favorite. Available at Nordstrom and Sephora.
12. Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme
A men's fragrance tailor-made for the office. Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme eau de toilette is one of those scents that almost defies categorization. With bright yuzu, citrus, spice, and woody notes, it smells incredibly clean and sophisticated without veering into overpowering territory, and it is a go-to whenever anyone asks me for an office-friendly fragrance. Available at Nordstrom and Amazon.
