The legendary 1977 fragrance Oscar by Oscar de la Renta has sparked rumors of discontinuation following a major bottle redesign and alleged reformulation.
Finding your signature scent is a personal journey that often spans decades. For many women, that journey began in the late 1970s with a single, elegant bottle that seemed to capture the very essence of sophisticated femininity. However, if you have recently walked through the fragrance aisle of a high-end department store, you may have felt a pang of worry. The iconic bottle you remember might be missing, leading many to ask a heartbreaking question: Is Oscar by Oscar de la Renta perfume discontinued?
The short answer is a resounding no. Oscar by Oscar de la Renta is not discontinued. While it may have seemed to disappear off the shelves as a popular fragrance worn by women, the truth is far more common in the luxury world. The fragrance has undergone a significant bottle change, which sparked widespread speculation that the scent was gone for good or had been drastically altered.
The Legacy of Oscar de la Renta Fragrances
Many luxury designer brands have diversified to include fragrance houses as part of their brand identity, creating a multi-sensory experience for their clientele. While some luxury designer brands started their fragrance houses earlier than others, Oscar de la Renta was a brand that branched out to include fragrances later on in its evolution.
Despite being a later entry into the perfume world, the impact was immediate. The first perfume to be released by the brand was an eau de toilette which remains one of the flagship fragrances of the fashion house, simply called Oscar by Oscar de la Renta. Released in 1977, it was the definitive first perfume released by the fragrance house of the lauded fashion brand. It did more than just sell well; it made an impact in the market as it went on to earn the Oscars of fragrance accolades at the FiFi Awards in 1978.
Understanding the Evolution of the Iconic Bottle
During its peak years, Oscar was a staple on every vanity. The original bottle was a work of art: a hexagon shaped glass bottle with a silver strip attached at the top of the bottle, complete with silver detail and the house’s logo hanging from the strip. The cap was whimsically designed to emulate a freshly-bloomed flower, a nod to the designer’s love for gardens.
However, after years of being one of the long forgotten fragrances, it seemingly disappeared from prominent displays. This led to the assumption that the fragrance had been discontinued. In reality, the scent, which is a vital part of the Oscar Signature collection, was undergoing a transformation.
The new bottle design of the fragrance endeavours to pay homage to the classic while embracing a more understated, modern aesthetic. While the bottle is still shaped as a hexagon, it is notably less heavy than the original.
For those who prefer larger sizes, the 50ml and the 100ml bottles are more longitudinal to allow for more fragrance. The brand has moved away from the ornate silver strip and hanging silver logo detail. Instead, the now black bottle cap features a silver stripe at the bottom, and the logo is elegantly etched into the glass itself.
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The Environmental Shift in Perfume Packaging
You might wonder why a brand would risk changing such a beloved design. The biggest reason for fragrances being repackaged often comes down to sustainability. It is not uncommon to have signature fragrances being rebottled in the world of fragrances, especially fragrances that were first introduced into the market before the world had come to face the reality of global warming.
Materials once used in perfume bottles and their manufacturing processes were sometimes harmful to the environment. As the impact of high carbon footprints became clear, leading fragrance houses moved to packaging their fragrances with eco-friendly materials. This environmental consciousness is frequently the driver behind the change of bottles and packaging we see today.
The Question of Reformulation
Along with the new look comes a more difficult question: Has Oscar by Oscar de la Renta perfume been reformulated? While the brand has not officially confirmed a change in the liquid itself, many enthusiasts believe it has been allegedly reformulated.
It is not uncommon for fragrances to be reformulated without an official announcement. This usually happens because the raw materials used to make the original scent are either being criminalised by international fragrance regulators (due to allergens) or are becoming too expensive and difficult to source.
Fans of the 1977 original suggest that the alleged reformulation has affected the fragrance’s performance. Many claim that the original perfume had a potency and “sillage” that the current version does not quite match. While the spirit of the scent remains, the chemical composition likely shifted during the move to the new packaging.
The Scent Profile of a Classic
Even with a potential reformulation, the core identity of Oscar by Oscar de la Renta remains an amber floral fragrance for women. Designed by the acclaimed perfumer Jean-Louis Sieuzac, the note profile is a complex, multi-layered experience.
The top notes greet you with a burst of cloves, gardenia, coriander, orange blossom, basil, peach, and bergamot. As the scent settles, the middle notes reveal a lush bouquet of tuberose, ylang-ylang, lavender, iris, jasmine, rosemary, rose, and orchid. Finally, the fragrance anchors itself with deep base notes of cloves, myrrh, sandalwood, lavender, amber, opoponax, vetiver, musk, patchouli, and even a hint of coconut. It remains a masterclass in white floral, aromatic, woody, and amber accords.
Can You Still Find the Original Bottle?
If you are a purist who misses the flower-cap design, you might ask: Can I still buy the original Oscar (EDT) bottle? While reputable online stores and department stores only carry the new Oscar by Oscar de la Renta (EDT) in its repackaged bottle, you can still find the vintage version.
A number of second-hand online fragrance stores still have the original bottle of the signature fragrance for sale. However, shopping for vintage perfume comes with risks. You must be aware of sellers who will sell counterfeit Oscar (EDT) fragrances.
Always do your research about the online store and read the reviews by customers who have bought from them previously. Online stores without a review page or customer feedback must be avoided at all costs. There is no guarantee of authenticity when a seller hides their reputation. To ensure you are getting the real thing, stick to verified luxury retailers, even if it means embracing the new, modern bottle design.
Oscar by Oscar de la Renta remains a cornerstone of American perfumery. While the silver logo and heavy glass may have changed, the legacy of Jean-Louis Sieuzac’s 1977 masterpiece continues to grace the vanities of women who appreciate timeless elegance.
To me, the original Oscar was the most elegant scent I have ever worn! People would run up to me to ask what I was wearing. I was devastated when it changed. At first I thought I’d accidentally gotten an old bottle but it was just the changed version. They ruined it when it changed I wore the body creme, lotion and the spray and it was heaven.
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I agree, I hate the new scent, it has a sickly sweet musky smell that just clings on, have you found anything similar? I used to love Oscar the original
I have used Oscar for over 40 years and have always LOVED the scent now it has a sweet musky smell I hate. I even bought a second bottle thinking the first one was “bad” and the scent is also off.