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Vintage Miniatures
How long do perfumes remain usable if left unopened?
I want to buy a vintage collection of French perfumes in miniature bottles for my niece. They are all still sealed, but are likely from the 70′s or 80′s. If they’ve become “bad”, I’ll just get her a new collection instead. Please advise!
as a vintage perfume aficionado myself, having purchased several bottles over the years, the answer to your question is “it depends” – on how *each* bottle has been cared for/stored during that time….
in theory, a bottle of perfume that is still sealed *can* be good “indefinitely” – in fact, some experts say that High Quality perfume, like fine wine, can actually improve with age…
however, oftentimes, this is totally not the case….as a sealed bottle of perfume that has *ever* been exposed to any extended periods of heat or sunlight over the years *will* go bad…
unfortunately, it’s usually impossible to tell whether a vintage bottle of perfume is still good just by looking at it…especially in the case of heat exposure (as there will likely be no change in the color of the perfume or the look of the label, which can sometimes be a tell-tale sign of past sunlight exposure)….to sum it up: there’s just no way to tell without actually opening the bottle.
also, even though the *seller* may be legit, they may have purchased the collection from another party – and, that party may very well have acquired those bottles from *several* sources…..therefore, some bottles within the collection may still be good and some may have gone bad..again, it’s really a toss-up, without knowing how each bottle was stored/cared for over the years.
if i were you, i’d decide whether to buy vintage vs. new based on what you think your niece’s intent would be for the collection – for instance, if she’d want to keep them on display, then, by all means, get the vintage collection! (i know that’s what i’d want if i were a pre-teen or teen!)…however, if she wants to actually *use* the perfumes, your much safer bet is purchasing fresh – and they’ll most likely be less expensive, to boot.
L’Haute Vie, Hippy Vintage, Hockley Village
Hockley is a lively pocket of Nottingham well worth a linger. Dubbed ‘Hockley Village’ by the locals, expect to find designer threads cosying up alongside gothic haunts and friendly student watering holes flanked by hippie hangouts.
At first glance you’ll be forgiven for thinking it’s no more than a generic thoroughfare with a row of decent-enough shops and bars. But this ‘Soho of Nottingham’ has a real vibe, which attracts a mix of clientele grabbing coffees, hosting high-powered business meetings and getting pierced!
Hockley houses some of Nottingham’s quaintest destinations and most cutting-edge designers. The word that screams to mind is ‘culture’. The place is crammed to its corners with galleries, arthouse cinemas and new-age craft shops.
One of Hockley’s highlights – if you can find it – is the Screen Room, a world record-breaking miniature cinema with just 21 seats. Don’t panic if you’re a group of 22, head to the Broadway Cinema for a jam-packed programme of special screenings, author readings, live music and festivals.
If all this culture has made you thirsty, Hockley has enough taverns to quench all tastes. Take Bar Eleven; this slender late-night hostelry is so exclusive you’ve got no option but to mingle closely with Nottingham’s best dressed as you Make Your bid for the bar or its lusciously-draped seating. Another snug early hours’ venue with a luxurious line in soft furnishings is Market Bar. This cellar-dwelling venue is fashionably funky with an immense booze list.
Crawl out of the shadows, step away from the beautiful set and emerge blinking towards the ambient tones of Muse bar. Sink into a choice piece of Retro Furniture or lap up some live music. Once refreshed, pop your head into Wax, a modern café with a mix of tempting drinks offers and themed nights.
You don’t have to cross Hockley’s border to find a decent dinner. Try the big-hearted Bar De Nada, which serves Spanish and World Tapas and an impressive stock of drinks. For cuisine a little closer to home, look in The Larder on Goosegate. This wholesome eaterie backs traditional British grub, with a menu stuffed to the gizzards with local produce like shoulder of lamb, mashed potato and marmalade bread and butter pudding.
A visit to Hockley isn’t complete without a cursory glance at the shops. Head to the ‘Portobello chic’ Goose Gate for more new age and record shops, alternative wares and hobby stores than you could shake a wind chime at. It’s well worth wrestling into some of the smaller stores for cheap, original retro goods and vintage fashion (or even some last-minute fancy dress).
Hit Hockley in October and you could be jostling around the Hockley Hustle. This lively music festival takes over the bars, pubs and even tea shops with hundreds of original acts competing for a slice of ear time. A tenner will buy you a wrist band for a weekend’s worth of entertainment and peace of mind your hangover was all in the name of charity.
Whether you fancy yourself as ‘alternative’, feel you’re more ‘mainstream’ or refuse to commit to a label, Hockley’s got a night out in mind for you.
About the Author
John Tarr is a copywriter for Stag Weekends. Learn more about Nottingham at http://www.stagweekends.co.uk.
