So many great cultural and fragrant recommendations, as always. It's a shame some of these amazing fragrances have been discontinued (plus ca change...) but I'll certainly be checking out Patchouli Paris and watching The Women.
Hi Suzy. Fabulous lineup of scents here - some of my faves and some new ones for me to check out. On the demure and mindful trend, I think it’s important to remember this comes from a trans woman of colour, Jools, who, thanks to the virality of this trend, can now afford to pay for her transition! I’m with you: nobody gets to tell me to be less. Im a queer burlesque performer after all. But when we revisit the demure and mindful trend with a queer political lens, we get what Leo Herrera describes as “queer alchemy, transforming a negative into camp and politics.” There’s a genuine safety risk for queer and trans people existing and taking up space in public. Consider the demure and mindful declaration like a modern version of the protest song “we’re here. We’re queer. Get over it.” Nothing demure about that. Happy sniffing!
Hi Carlynn! So glad you love some of the scents and want to try others I’ve mentioned! Totally take your point of how the trend started - and that is brilliant and fully positive. My beef is how the trend has twisted (as ALL trends do, and which has nothing to do with how they begin, or the people who began them / their reasons for beginning). It’s the misappropriation of the demure trend by those who think women should be lessened which gets me angry. They totally miss the point, of course, but as I say - this is not the fault of his the trend began.
I love this defiant defense and encouragement of the girls that became the women who said fuck you to toning it down. Thank you. I identify with so much of what you said.
The Women is one of my all-time favorite films. I was introduced to it in the early 90s by a gay male friend and have watched it (mostly with gay male friends) dozens of times over the years. Speaking of films, I can't help but think of John Waters when I hear the word "filth," as he claims to be the "King of Filth." He's from my hometown, Baltimore, and I've run into him on a number of occasions. Even trespassed on his property a few times, as he lived in my neighborhood. Apparently he doesn't wear fragrance, but does enjoy the strangeness of CdG Odeur 53.
I don't own any "filthy" scents, but have gone through a couple sample vials of Putain de Palaces.
So glad you love The Women, too - it’s got SO many brilliant roles for the actresses. And the script is just sublime, isn’t it? And that fashion show! Amazing insight into John Waters, there x
I have another one for your list: Take Me To The River by 4160 Tuesdays. It's the story of what happened at a bar and what happened after you left the bar.
![Noted. [by Suzy Nightingale]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-RLV!,w_80,h_80,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe104e830-2017-4102-bb47-e32255378414_1032x1034.jpeg)
![Noted. [by Suzy Nightingale]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-RLV!,w_36,h_36,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe104e830-2017-4102-bb47-e32255378414_1032x1034.jpeg)
So many great cultural and fragrant recommendations, as always. It's a shame some of these amazing fragrances have been discontinued (plus ca change...) but I'll certainly be checking out Patchouli Paris and watching The Women.
Oh do let me know what you think, am so keen to hear your thoughts on The Women. I’ve seen it several times, and always want to re-watch! Thank you x
Hi Suzy. Fabulous lineup of scents here - some of my faves and some new ones for me to check out. On the demure and mindful trend, I think it’s important to remember this comes from a trans woman of colour, Jools, who, thanks to the virality of this trend, can now afford to pay for her transition! I’m with you: nobody gets to tell me to be less. Im a queer burlesque performer after all. But when we revisit the demure and mindful trend with a queer political lens, we get what Leo Herrera describes as “queer alchemy, transforming a negative into camp and politics.” There’s a genuine safety risk for queer and trans people existing and taking up space in public. Consider the demure and mindful declaration like a modern version of the protest song “we’re here. We’re queer. Get over it.” Nothing demure about that. Happy sniffing!
Hi Carlynn! So glad you love some of the scents and want to try others I’ve mentioned! Totally take your point of how the trend started - and that is brilliant and fully positive. My beef is how the trend has twisted (as ALL trends do, and which has nothing to do with how they begin, or the people who began them / their reasons for beginning). It’s the misappropriation of the demure trend by those who think women should be lessened which gets me angry. They totally miss the point, of course, but as I say - this is not the fault of his the trend began.
I love this genre of scents, thank you for this.
It’s my favourite, so always a pleasure to share! 🥰
I love this defiant defense and encouragement of the girls that became the women who said fuck you to toning it down. Thank you. I identify with so much of what you said.
So glad you enjoyed it, (not glad it resonated either you, as well, but thank you) x
The word "FLITH!" popped up on my notifications and a shudder ran down my spine, it was like being back in catholic school😊
Ha! Sorry 😅
The Women is one of my all-time favorite films. I was introduced to it in the early 90s by a gay male friend and have watched it (mostly with gay male friends) dozens of times over the years. Speaking of films, I can't help but think of John Waters when I hear the word "filth," as he claims to be the "King of Filth." He's from my hometown, Baltimore, and I've run into him on a number of occasions. Even trespassed on his property a few times, as he lived in my neighborhood. Apparently he doesn't wear fragrance, but does enjoy the strangeness of CdG Odeur 53.
I don't own any "filthy" scents, but have gone through a couple sample vials of Putain de Palaces.
So glad you love The Women, too - it’s got SO many brilliant roles for the actresses. And the script is just sublime, isn’t it? And that fashion show! Amazing insight into John Waters, there x
Loved this Suzy! You have created a sellout too
Loved this article, thank you and demure can absolutely get in the sea!
Thank you! Haha, yes it certainly can x
Eeeek so happy you’re on Substack!! Loved this!
Me too! Aw thank you, Nancy
I have another one for your list: Take Me To The River by 4160 Tuesdays. It's the story of what happened at a bar and what happened after you left the bar.
Oh good suggestion!
Need to smell the Patchouli Paris, and did you find that book Past Scents a bit difficult, like he really did not like women?