Courrèges — Courreges In Blue Eau de Parfum
Essence
The 2014 Courreges In Blue Eau de Parfum is a modernized green aldehydic chypre, linked to the 1983 Edouard Flechier original but credited in industry writing to Nadege Le Garlantezec. It trades the vintage’s richness for a cleaner lavender, chamomile and moss structure.
Scent Profile
Aldehydes, galbanum and ginger open the scent with a cool green snap. The heart turns herbal-floral: lavender, chamomile, jasmine and rose, with the lavender blended rather than dominant. Oakmoss, patchouli and sandalwood create a soft neo-chypre drydown. The overall effect is restrained, soapy, slightly androgynous and more aromatic than narcotic-floral.
Performance
Performance is modest for an eau de parfum: soft projection, several hours of wear, and better persistence on clothing than in the air. It works best in cool weather, where the mossy-green structure has more definition. Heat can make it feel thinner.
Wearing Context
This is a daytime, office, spring and fall fragrance. It suits walks, smart casual clothes and quiet daily wear more than evening drama. Although marketed feminine, the lavender-galbanum structure gives it a masculine-coded aromatic edge balanced by soft florals.
Comparisons & DNA
Its defining comparison is the 1983 In Blue, and most vintage loyalists prefer the original. Outside Courreges, think green floral chypres and aromatic fougeres rather than contemporary fruity florals. Chanel No. 19, Estee Lauder Private Collection and Calvin-era green florals are useful coordinates, but stronger and more iconic.
Reception
Reception is mixed but not hostile. Wearers without vintage expectations often enjoy the unusual clean herbal-floral character and discount pricing. Those who know the original tend to find it thin, soapy or less complex. The dividing line is whether you want a faithful vintage recreation or a quiet modern green chypre.
Versions & Reformulation
This is part of a multi-version In Blue history: the 1983 original, a 2011 Eau de Toilette, and the 2014 Eau de Parfum. The EDP has its own lavender-chamomile emphasis and should be evaluated separately. It now appears to be discontinued.
Acquisition Notes
The 2014 EDP is generally a bargain-market and remaining-stock purchase rather than a premium collectible. Large bottles have circulated through discount channels, while vintage 1983 bottles command more interest. Check that the listing is the 2014 EDP if that is the version you want.
Notable Facts & Lore
- The 2014 relaunch promoted a Provence lavender material, but wearer descriptions suggest chamomile, galbanum and clean moss matter at least as much.
- Nadege Le Garlantezec described the fragrance as using masculine codes balanced by sensual florals, which explains its androgynous green-floral shape.
- The In Blue name spans three meaningfully different scents: the 1983 original, the 2011 Eau de Toilette, and this 2014 Eau de Parfum.
- Courreges was the space-age fashion house of Andre Courreges, an avant-gardist associated with the miniskirt; the original 1983 In Blue arrived late in the house’s first arc.
- The 2014 Eau de Parfum was itself discontinued not long after release and now circulates mainly as remaining stock.