Marilyn Monroe is remembered as one of the most iconic actresses and sex symbols of the 1950s. Known for her blonde bombshell looks, Monroe often played dumb blonde characters on screen, but in real life she was much more intelligent and complex. One of the most enduring aspects of Monroe’s legacy is her unique and glamorous style, which included her signature perfume. So what fragrance did Marilyn Monroe actually wear?
Chanel No. 5
According to multiple sources, Marilyn Monroe’s favorite and most worn perfume was Chanel No. 5. This iconic floral perfume was created in 1921 by Coco Chanel and perfumer Ernest Beaux. The perfume has notes of jasmine, rose, sandalwood, and vanilla. It became an instant success and one of the first perfumes to use synthetics alongside natural ingredients. Chanel No. 5 remains one of the world’s most famous and best selling perfumes.
So why did Marilyn love Chanel No. 5 so much? Apparently she responded well to the mix of floral notes and the aldehyde in the perfume that gave it a musky, sensual scent. She called it her “signature scent” and the only perfume she wore. Monroe was gifted bottles of Chanel No. 5 by her boyfriend Joe DiMaggio and would splash it on herself with abandon before events and performances. Photos exist of her boudoir and dressing table with large bottles of No. 5 prominently displayed. The perfume seemed to suit her larger than life feminine persona.
Other Favorite Fragrances
Though Chanel No. 5 was clearly her number one choice, Marilyn Monroe did occasionally wear other fragrances as well:
- Joy by Jean Patou – This perfume was created in 1930 using a novel accord of jasmine and rose notes. Its luxurious and extravagant scent attracted Monroe.
- L’Heure Bleue by Guerlain – An elegant, fuller bodied floral perfume from 1912 that Monroe sometimes wore for evening events.
- Fleurs de Rocaille by Caron – A retro powdery floral fragrance from the 1930s that Monroe liked to wear to bed.
But her true signature scent that she became known for was definitely Chanel No. 5. Monroe wore it to perfume her hair, body and even her underwear because she loved the scent so much. Over the years it became an iconic part of her look.
Chanel No. 5 in Pop Culture
Marilyn Monroe famously said in an interview when asked what she wore to bed: “Just a few drops of Chanel No. 5.” This quote went on to become legendary, cementing the association between the perfume and Monroe’s seductive persona.
In the 1981 film Mommie Dearest, actress Faye Dunaway portrays Joan Crawford spritzing on Chanel No. 5 and saying that Monroe slept in it. The intimacy of Marilyn’s relationship with her favorite perfume captured public imagination.
Other pop culture references include:
- An episode of the TV show Glee named “Chanel No. 5” after the perfume.
- Lana Del Rey mentioning the perfume in her “National Anthem” song.
- Chanel No. 5 being the scent Daisy chooses to wear in The Great Gatsby novel.
So Marilyn Monroe had great impact in making Chanel No. 5 synonymous with glamour and feminine sensuality in the cultural imagination. Her affinity for it lives on long after her death.
Conclusion
Marilyn Monroe’s signature scent was Chanel No. 5. This iconic floral perfume with notes of jasmine, rose, sandalwood, and vanilla perfectly complemented her blonde bombshell image. Though she occasionally wore other perfumes like Joy and L’Heure Bleue, Chanel No. 5 remained her one true fragrance love. Monroe basically bathed in it, splashing it lavishly on herself. Her famous quote about wearing it to bed cemented Chanel No. 5’s association with her seductive, glamorous persona. The perfume remains an instantly recognizable part of Monroe’s enduring legacy and image in pop culture.