The Best ‘90s Perfumes Are Nostalgic, Smell Great, More

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When you think back to the 1990s, a few things may come to mind: perhaps colorful scrunchies, denim overalls and chunky platforms to name a few. But you may also be able to smell the ‘90s. Some of the most iconic perfumes of all time were launched in the ‘90s, from Calvin Klein’s CK One to the GAP fragrances. Whether you had that one go-to signature scent that you rocked through this decade or you can just still smell the perfumes that drifted through your high school hallways, sometimes you just need a walk down memory lane. That’s why we rounded up the best, most nostalgic ‘90s perfumes, and let you know if you can still buy it today (and our favorite dupes for them if not).

What were the most popular ‘90s perfumes?

There’s definitely no one answer to this. There were many fragrances that came out in the ‘90s that had a major moment — some of which were so huge that they’re still in demand today. Just like now, there was a mix of both luxury/high-end and affordable perfumes that were all the rage.

And what was popular when you were 15 may not be what you think would be popular today — but trust us, the fragrances that made this list were in high-demand for a reason. For example, you may not wear the powdery floral Love’s Baby Soft, the scent many of us wore in middle school or high school, today, but that doesn’t make it any less iconic.

While we’ll get more in detail later, a few of the most popular 1990s perfumes were Calvin Klein CK One, Clinique Happy and Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers. It was nearly impossible to walk into a room and not smell one of these nostalgic scents in the ‘90s. But those weren’t the only icons; Keep reading for more perfumes that will unlock those ‘90s memories.

The 10 best ‘90s perfumes we still remember today

Below, the most nostalgic perfumes of the 1990s you’ll probably be able to smell through the screen.

Calvin Klein CK One

Starting off strong, Calvin Klein CK One was not only beloved for its scent, but for literally making history by being the first fragrance considered unisex. While today there are hundreds of unisex options on the market, this was not common in the ‘90s. When it launched in 1994, it was a major sensation with ads everywhere and everyone, both men and women, scrambling to get their hands on it.

Thankfully, CK One is still available to buy today! It has notes of bergamot, cardamom, papaya, jasmine, rose, musk, amber and more, making it the perfect clean, fresh scent.

GAP perfumes

Next up, we have the classic GAP perfumes. We couldn’t pick just one from the OG favorites, from GAP Heaven to GAP Dream to GAP Grass (yes, they had a perfume that smells like freshly cut grass). These perfumes were so great because they smelled like a luxury perfume but didn’t break the bank. And best of all, GAP still sells these fragrances on Amazon and select GAP Outlet stores.

GAP Dream smells like florals and citrus, with notes of freesia and orange flower. GAP Heaven smells fresh, light and floral, with notes of green leaves, orange blossom, jasmine, sandalwood and moss. Gap Grass smells like — you guessed it — grass (but better), with notes of green leaves, apple, grass, cucumber, water lily and white musk.

Clinique Happy

If you grew up in the ‘90s, you’ll definitely remember Clinique Happy perfume, a citrus-y, fruity, floral fragrance still available today. It has notes of grapefruit, bergamot, Hawaiian Wedding Flower and spring mimosa. One of the most memorable parts of its launch were the ads made for it, that made you feel, well, happy! See the video below for one of our favorite Clinique Happy commercials.

Love’s Baby Soft

There’s a good chance Love’s Baby Soft probably started your love (no pun intended) for powdery scents. This was a great affordable fragrance option and ruled those middle school days. With notes of lemon, orange, jasmine, rose, sandalwood and vanilla, among others, it was the perfect powdery floral perfume.

Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers

Another fruity-floral perfume, Elizabeth Arden’s Sunflower perfume is bright and cheery, perfect for spring and summer. Some key notes of this scent are bergamot, melon, peach, jasmine, Mandras Wood, Tonka Bean, musk and sandalwood, and it’s still available to buy today!

Mugler Angel

This Thierry Mugler perfume, Mugler Angel, smells like a delicious dessert, and was one of the first gourmand perfumes, a scent with edible notes, and probably the first that was that iconic. It’s still highly regarded and sought-after, so it’s no shock it’s still available to buy. It has notes of grapefruit, pink berries, bergamot, praline and patchouli leaf, making it warm and spicy.

Estee Lauder Pleasures

Launched in 1995, Estee Lauder Pleasures perfume is one of the most popular “light and airy” fragrances. It’s a floral scent, but not overpowering in the way many floral perfumes are, making it unique and subtle. It has key notes of white lily, violet leaves, white peony, pink rose, jasmine, sandalwood and patchouli.

Coty Vanilla Fields

Those of us who love the smell of vanilla probably wore this perfume in the ‘90s, Coty Vanilla Fields. Unfortunately, the perfume has now been discontinued, but it was a huge hit back then. It smelled like florals mixed with vanilla, amber and musk, along with notes of bergamot, coconut, jasmine, amber and vanilla to name a few. If you’re looking for a dupe for Coty Vanilla Fields, we recommend Chopard Casmir, which has similar notes and that same floral-y, musky, vanilla scent.

Dior Dune

Dior Dune was one of the most popular luxury perfumes of the’ 90s, and is still available to purchase. With notes of mandarin, peony and vanilla, it smells warm, oceanic and floral. However, many people say the reformulation smells different from the original, so if you’re looking for that OG scent, try Proenza Schouler Arizona Eau de Parfum. Chances are you probably had Dune on your Christmas list at one point growing up, but with Arizona, it’s much more affordable and accessible.

Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl

Tommy Hilfiger was one of the most beloved brands of the ‘90s (and still is in 2024), so we of course had to include them in our list of the most nostalgic perfumes. Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl was launched in 1996, and is still made today. It has notes of cedar, lemon, florals, mint, orange and sandalwood.

For more of our favorite scents, click through these stories: