WHAT I SMELL: Boy opens with a soft, bright, yet warm citrus which bounces upon a layer of lavender warmed in the sun. The perfume is aromatic and rather herbal and from the beginning it provides a blanket of security and comfort without being overly warm or heavy. As the perfume begins to develop, a geranium note comes forward with a light touch along with a freshness of florals accented by rose. Soon after, a sandalwood note adds a hint of a pencil shaving accord. As the perfume continues to develop, the citrus comes back to brighten the mix along with a lightly sweetened vanilla. Finally, the perfume is covered in a layer of oakmoss which dries the fragrance and creates some added projection. Boy is without edges, making it smooth and incredibly easy to wear.
From the Chanel website:
In her younger days, Gabrielle Chanel met Arthur “Boy” Capel, an elegant British polo player. He was the love of her life and the first to encourage her to pursue her creative endeavors. Inspired by his sophisticated style, Gabrielle Chanel imagined women dressed in tweed, with short boyish hair and flat shoes. Designs that mixed genders, the beginnings of unisex fashion.
BOY CHANEL presents a lavender and geranium accord heightened with exquisite notes of wood. A fragrance that transcends gender and illustrates a personality.
Top notes are Lavender, Grapefruit and Lemon; middle notes are Geranium, Orange Blossom and Rose; base notes are White Musk, Heliotrope, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Coumarin and Moss.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Tab Hunter – fresh, easy on the eyes and always neat and clean and inoffensive.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE BOY: easy, uncomplicated, comfortable
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BOY: Now Smell This, CaFleureBon, eauxSILLAGE
BOTTOM LINE: Part of the Le Exclusifs de Chanel collection, Boy is one of those perfumes that only get’s better as it develops. It’s warm and inviting and a modern fougere that can easily be worn by a man or a women.
- Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Aromatic Fougere
- Nose: Olivier Polge
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $200 for 2.5 oz. eau de parfum
The Scented Hound 
February 2, 2021 at 12:48 pm
I usually buy Indie, but between the “Big” houses of Chanel and Guerlain, I fall in the latter camp, except with this one. I loved “Boy.” Despite my love of heavy-hitting animalics, ouds, resins– I’m a lavender-lover first and foremost. I thought your description was right-on. This is the one I’ll be adding to my spring-summer collection. It’s a very classy and classic, perfect t-shirt or sundress scent.
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February 2, 2021 at 2:30 pm
A woman after my own heart, Guerlain is my love and Chanel comes a bit behind that, but the rest of my collection is pretty niche oriented. However, I’ll leave the heavy hitters to you as they don’t work for the hot environment I live in.
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February 3, 2021 at 1:58 am
Great review. I agree about Boy by Chanel, very nice, but 3 out of 5 bones in this house, too. My favorite lavender now (aside from Mon Guerlain) is Perris Monte Carlo Lavande Romaine- really lovely citrus and lavender, less herbal generally than Boy.
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February 21, 2021 at 5:11 am
I’m trying to remember if I tried Boy… I remember that Jersey had lavender… but I don’t remember one way or the other for this perfume. I didn’t like the name (I know the official version but still think it wasn’t the smartest marketing decision), but have I tried it?.. Whatever the answer is, I think, it also answers the question what I think about it 😉 But, in general, I’m a Chanel fan rather than Guerlain one.
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February 21, 2021 at 5:53 pm
LOL…I am more of a Guerlain fan myself, but I love the clean Chanels…but lavender for me is a tough sell. It always starts off nicely and then just get to be dust on my skin.
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