Mad Men-Inspired Scents

By Alexandra Donaldson

Mad Men comes to an end this Sunday. This feat of storytelling will especially be missed for its complex characters and attention to detail. And though the show’s costumes were spot-on, we never learned just what scents the characters wore. So we took it upon ourselves to hypothesize.

Since we’re not bound to the same historical accuracy as the show’s creator Matthew Weiner, we’re playing loose on this olfactory theme—after all, a perfect signature scent is a romantic notion and not solely bound by the restrictions of a silly thing like historical fact. So though Don and his colleagues may not have actually been able to wear these scents in 1969, we’re hoping you can channel your inner Don, Peggy, Betty or Joan by spritzing our picks.

EAU DE DON
Picking Eau Sauvage by Christian Dior as Don Draper’s signature scent may not seem at first sniff to make sense—it’s not dark nor does it have any whisky notes. But, this timeless men’s fragrance is one of perfumery’s greats and fits the complex but classic masculinity of a man like Draper. Created in 1966, this cologne centres on a signature fresh burst of energetic citrus. With rosemary, basil and vetiver, it’s also an earthy, solid scent. But it also contains hedione—a jasmine-like floral that has recently been discovered as something of an aphrodisiac to women. Draper’s many on-screen dalliances are a testament to his appeal, and the subtle, but powerful pull of this scent is well-suited to this man who attracts women like moths to a flame. If that weren’t enough, the bottle—designed by Pierre Camin and unchanged since its creation—was inspired by a flask.
Christian Dior Eau Sauvage Parfum, $96 (100 ml), www.sephora.com

PEGGY’S PERFUME
Peggy Olson is not only living in a man’s world—she’s succeeding. We wouldn’t be surprised if she wore a masculine scent—something that would waft well with her cigarette smoke. In an effort to be taken seriously, Olson often resorts to adopting behaviours that were considered more masculine in the sixties. We image that a classic cologne such as Acqua Di Parma Colonia, with its notes of citrus and herbal notes, would undoubtedly announce her entrance in any room but the fragrance’s notes of lavender and damask rose lend softness to the scent, making it a little more apropos for this woman in a man’s world. Acqua di Parma’s patchouli dry down suggests the more free-spirited side of the Mad Men era, and also hints at her past partner and hippie, Abe, and her friendship with artist Stan.
Acqua Di Parma Colonia, $153 (100 ml), www.sephora.com

SALLY’S SPRITZ
Sally has really grown up and she’s become one of our favourite characters. Her rebelliousness makes her a teenager we can recognize—we’ve all been there—but it’s her struggle between affection for and repulsion by her parents, a yearning to be treated like an adult and a real desire to escape, that make Sally so enigmatic. But she’s young, which is why we’ve chosen the floral gourmand, Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf, for her. The scent’s jasmine, rose, orchid and freesia create a lovely, almost-innocent, floral aroma. The base notes of patchouli, vanilla and praline add sweetness and, combined with the florals, a bit of bite. We’ve watched Sally bloom into a young woman, but it remains to be seen whether she’ll transition with ease or pull the pin.
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, $185 (100 ml), www.thebay.com

THE SCENT OF JOAN
Joan Holloway has grown from Head Secretary to powerful partner in her Mad Men journey—a feat not easily achieved. You can’t talk about Holloway without recognizing her self-possessed surety, that fire-engine-red hair (and temper to match) or her eroticism. Holloway would wear Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, an Oriental fragrance that has a reputation for being exotic and sexy. The allure of the perfume begins with notes of mandarin and clove, a spicy citrus start, while jasmine and amber for fierce femme fatale heat. This is an alluring scent, both come hither but watch out.
Yves Saint Lauren Opium, $130 (90 ml), www.thebay.com 

BETTY’S BEAUTY
Beautiful, cold Betty (Draper) Francis. She’s left behind her modelling naiveté and troubled housewife life for a shot at education, only to find that she’s got limited time left. But Betty—even in the face of death—is refined and proper. Though she puts on a smile for the crowds, behind her perfectly coiffed hair, it’s hard not to remember that she’s often a distant mother with a weird relationship with the neighbour boy. Mrs. Francis wears a floral scent, because that’s what elegant women wear. But since she’s got a touch of darkness about her, we like to think she would wear Tom Ford’s Cafe Rose very well. Often called a Gothic floral, Cafe Rose boasts notes of May rose, Turkish rose and Bulgarian rose. It’s a classically feminine scent made dark and spicy (anyone remember that shotgun scene?) by saffron, black pepper and incense. Amber and patchouli keep this scent moody but not too dark—Betty is still, after all, a Grace Kelly vision in a traditional time.
Tom Ford Cafe Rose, $295 (100 ml), www.tomford.com

STERLING STATEMENT
Roger Sterling is a cad. He’s a lost man-child who drinks too much and works too little. His job at the agency seems to be to charm—and he’s very good at it. Carven’s new Pour Homme is described as “the very essence of the Carven man—charmingly rakish” and we think that Sterling fits the bill. It’s a woody, spicy scent with a heart of sage, nutmeg and cedar, and a base of vetiver and sandalwood; thoroughly masculine. Top notes of fresh grapefruit, violet leaf and orange blossom, however, soften the spice and give the scent a lightness that would pair beautifully with an afternoon (or morning) cocktail and this man’s fly-by-the-seat of your pants attitude.
Carven Pour Homme Eau de Toilette, $95 (100 ml), www.carven.com