10 ‘90s Perfumes for the Modern Minimalist

If you ask me, perfume peaked in the ‘90s. So many groundbreaking, industry-shifting scents made their debut during that decade, essentially changing the fragrance game forever. 

While the scents of the ‘80s were big, bold, and bombastic, the ‘90s ushered in a more minimal direction for fragrance. Perfumes were lighter, brighter, crisper, and more simplistic, befitting the slip dresses, khaki pants, and flip flops of the time period. 

No one symbolizes that ‘90s minimalist magic like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who has long been a beauty and fashion icon—but never more so than today! If you’ve found yourself mimicking her butter blonde hair color, simple but elegant wardrobe, C.O. Bigelow headbands, and overall effortlessly cool vibe, why not take your ode to CBK to the next level with a fragrance to match? Many of the best ‘90s (and ‘90s-adjacent) scents are still widely available today so you can channel the decade with just a spritz or two.

From scents that would be right at home in CBK’s black Hermès Birkin to icons like L’Eau d’Issey and Clinique Happy, these timeless fragrances are so ‘90s in the best way.

The CBK-Inspired One: Egyptian Musk Oil

Nemat

Bessette Kennedy reportedly wore Abdul Kareem’s Egyptian Musk Oil, which is hard to find these days; I scored a bottle on eBay last year. It’s a gorgeous, radiant musk that manages to stay close to the skin but leave a silky trail. Another great option is Nemat’s Egyptian Musk, which has a clean, soapy finish.

The Super-Musky One: Kiehl’s Original Musk

Kiehl’s

For something cozier and richer, try Kiehl’s Original Musk. Technically this scent didn’t come out in the ‘90s, but its simple scent profile of bergamot, ylang ylang, and musk feels on-brand for the time, especially if you want to mimic CBK’s eternal allure. The amber-colored square bottle is eternally chic, as is the scent itself.

The Sophisticated Musk: Narciso Rodriguez for Her

Narciso Rodriguez

This scent came out in 2003, but we’re counting it because the backstory is super relevant! CBK and fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez were good friends; they met while working at Calvin Klein and he designed her beyond-iconic wedding dress. His first fragrance, the shimmering woody musk For Her, is reminiscent of that buttery, silky slip dress, with come-hither notes of orange blossom, musk, and amber. There are tons of flankers, but I think the original is the most gorgeous.

The Mall Staple: Gap Dream

GAP

Were you really a ‘90s girl if you didn’t own a few Gap perfumes? Gap dominated the ‘90s fashion world with its timeless denim jackets, khakis, and too-cool commercials, and its fragrances were definitely part of that world. Grass, Heaven, and Dream are all ‘90s classics, though there’s something special about the white floral Dream that makes it feel so instantly transportive; one sniff and you’re back in 1998. Because it’s an eau de toilette, it literally feels like a dream floating around you. Gap Dream is still available, but you have to get it in person at a Gap Outlet store for now! 

The Crisp Citrus: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea

Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden’s cheap and cheerful Green Tea is easily underestimated, but once you’ve worn it, you’ll know how special it is. Crisp, light, and refreshing without trying too hard, this sweet, green eau de toilette was a minimalist’s mainstay in the ‘90s.

The Calming Spritz:  Bulgari Au Thé Vert

Bvlgar

Another incredible green-tea scent, Bulgari’s Au Thé Vert is a lovely citrus fragrance that hit shelves in 1992. Its sparkling top notes give way to a calming blend of floral notes and grounding woods, like a spa day in a bottle. Au Thé Vert is an elevated example of the fresh, citrusy scents that were popular in the ‘90s but doesn’t feel (or smell) dated.

The Soft, Warm Hug: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist

Donna Karan

Cashmere Mist, to me, just smells like the ‘90s: soft, powdery, simple but impactful. Maybe it’s because my mom wore it for a time, or because I wear the Cashmere Mist Deodorant every day (and have for well over a decade), but there’s something so gentle and comforting about it. With notes of lily of the valley, suede, and cashmere musk, it feels like stepping into an ivory silk slip dress and tossing an oversized cashmere sweater over the top—feminine and effortlessly chic.

The ’90s Icon: L’Eau de Issey

Issey Miyake

The bottle alone is sooooo ‘90s, isn’t it? It’s sleek, modern, and minimal, and the aquatic, light floral scent inside was a groundbreaking addition to the ‘90s fragrance market, shaking things up in a big way. Prior to its introduction, many popular scents were loud, heavy, and over the top, like Thierry Mugler Angel. L’Eau d’Issey was much quieter, lighter, and fresher, kickstarting a trend that would carry through the decade.

The Revolutionary Citrus: CK One

Calvin Klein

We can’t talk about iconic ‘90s scents without mentioning CK One. Even if you don’t own a bottle, you’ve smelled it hundreds of times without even noticing it, or worn a fragrance inspired by it. Like L’Eau d’Issey, this unisex citrus threw the fragrance industry for a loop; its black-and-white ad campaign from 1994, featuring models Kate Moss, Jenny Shimizu, and Stella Tennant, among others, was instantly captivating. CK One wasn’t marketed just to men or just to women—it was for everyone, and everyone bought it. And the best part? It still smells great today.

The Cheerful Cutie: Clinique Happy

Clinique

I was deeply obsessed with Clinique Happy as a child and coveted a bottle more than anything. I never got one, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for this lighthearted fruity floral with notes of citrus, freesia, musk, and amber. One spritz really does make you feel happy, and brings up the most nostalgic feelings.