Anne Klein II (1985)

 Subtle, by 80s standards, the distinguished and lovely Anne Klein II bowed to the decade’s passion for Oriental fragrances with amber-colored hues but comes out unscathed: it doesn’t smell too outré or dated. (Obsession, I’m talking to you.)

It starts off surprisingly green — what kind of green, I couldn’t tell you, because the only notes I could find say “greens.” My guess would be galbanum, because that note goes so well with peach, and because the perfume’s initial takeoff would seem to require a green with that kind of uplift.

Anne Klein II then transitions to a beautiful blend of flowers.  Orange blossom and ylang-ylang in particular continue to peek through the perfume’s third stage which is the perfume’s primary character: creamy, ambery, woody and orris-caressed vanilla. It has great lasting power, and as it fades, it turns into a subtle skin scent that anyone lucky enough to be that close to you would appreciate taking in.

I grew up in Texas in the 80s, and I have pictures to prove that it’s no small feat to survive that decade, fashion-wise, with your dignity intact. (Big hair, too much makeup, strange multicolored flower print tops, odd billowy proportions and big shoulders. Awkward doesn’t begin to describe the beauty and sartorial crimes committed in the ‘80s.)

But when I picture the Anne Klein II woman, I see someone who’s wearing ‘80s fashions without embarrassing herself too much. OK, so maybe she has a big-shouldered jacket on over a silk fuchsia blouse while wearing red lipstick and blue eye shadow.  She couldn’t help it — it was the 80s! But she looks good, and she smells like Anne Klein II.

Top notes: bergamot, green note, peach, rosewood, lemon

Heart notes: jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, carnation, orris

Base notes: Vanilla, amber, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, civet, benzoin

(Anne Klein [1923 – 1974] was a fashion designer known for creating matching separates for working women. Here’s a cute picture of her.I decided to grab a bottle of Anne Klein II after reading rapturous reviews from women on Basenotes. Anne Klein II came out the same year as Calvin Klein’s Obsession, which is probably why it languishes in relative obscurity. Inexpensive minis are available, but full bottle prices reflect their scarcity: they seem to start at around $150. Yikes.)

Comments

[brigitte]

I remember Anne Klein II, which was a lovely fragrance considering the decade it came from, but a former co-worker of mine only wore the original Anne Klein, which was phenomenal on her:soft, feminine and classy. If you think Anne Klein II is scarce, I have seen miniatures of Anne Klein selling for over $100.00!!!!

[Perfumaniac]

I lucked out, Brigitte. I found it on a weird auction site (the mini) for only a few dollars. Whew!

[Cindy Wilson]

I really loved this perfume and had lots of compliments when I wore it. Sure wish it would come back, can't understand why it wouldn't with all the positive revues. I would love to buy the rights to it and manufacture this perfume.

[Perfumaniac]

Hi Cindy. So many of us perfume lovers feel this way about a perfume we love. It's unclear to me why so many new perfumes arrive on the market that aren't particularly interesting, and discontinued perfumes remain so. Now that IFRA has banned so many crucial perfume ingredients (oakmoss, clove, nutmeg, etc.), it appears even if perfumers wanted to resurrect the greats they would be unable to use key ingredients. Pretty ridiculous all because a few rodents overdosed with those ingredients might have gotten cancer...

[Cindy Wilson]

Can you point me in the right direction for a similar scent to the Anne Klein II perfume. I would truly appreciated it.

Cindy Wilson

[Perfumaniac]

Cindy,

Anne Klein II and Calvin Klein's Obsession (also released in 1985) smell quite similar. I'm not sure what the reformulated Obsession smells like (or if it's even around?), but vintage Obsession should be cheaper to get than Anne Klein II. Good luck!

[lisa]

I have never found a scent that can replace this one. I would walk into a room and get so many compliments on how wonderful the scent was. Why would they stop making something so great.

Lisa

[Perfumaniac]

Hi Lisa,

I feel your pain. I ask that about so many perfumes. I dont understand why, if theres a demand for discontinued perfumes, why not recreate them rather than coming out with (diluted) flankers of superior perfumes, or celeb perfumes, etc.?

I think in some instances, the answer is: the ingredients are too expensive, perhaps theyre banned (oakmoss, clove, certain concentrations of jasmine), or the demand isnt high enough to justify the cost.

Who knows! Id love to know the answer. In the meantime? Hoard what you like!

[Donna Scott]

I LOVED this perfume and search for it constantly. I really wish they would start manufacturing again.