Dolce Vita Dior for women

This is not my kind of fragrance, I find it very mature and not for my age at all.. Although if I had about 50years+ I would like to own it,the bottle is very cute, the fragrance is nice, but like I said not for my age..

A thick vanilla floral with hints of mimosa, heliotrope, peachy fruit, and stargazer lily. It’s warm and sweet, a little powdery, and pretty in a semi-gourmand sort of way.

I enjoyed it, but for some reason it seemed a little flat, and really didn’t come up to my expectations. Sillage is moderate, and it lasts 6-8 hours. It’s a pleasant sugary-fruity-vanilla that I would wear if it were the only perfume I owned, but would not seek out.

This takes me back. I had a small bottle of this when I was 10. If you were looking for something cheaper that smells similar to this, the signature Christina Aguilera frag has similarities to Dolce Vita (the vanilla note),but not as good as Dolce Vita of course

★☆☆☆☆
To my nose, this fragrance - presented in one of the most beautiful flacons ever seen - is unfortunately a much too simple and much too sweet one without any secret or mystery, it's kind of "nice", but that doesn't help to make it a fragrance that really counts.

Dolce Vita est une superbe composition. chaud, miellé, épicé, je ne m'en lasse pas. J'ai toujours des compliments quand je porte ce parfum. Je le trouve plus lumineux et joyeux que féminité du bois. laisse du sillage, je peux encore le sentir à la fin de la journée.

This fragrance is extremely intense. It has a very strong note of cumin that is almost offensive. My husband and my kids thought it smelled like really bad body odor so I scrubbed it off right away. Im happy I tested it before purchasing it. Just my opinion.

(I haven’t had the pleasure of trying this scent back in 90s, so this review is for the reformulated version.)

Dolce Vita is a sunny, sparkly and happy scent. I love wearing it in the winter when the cold air balances nicely the sweet fruity notes. But the scent reminds me so much of a summer. It is like wearing a bright summer dress to the picnic on a sunny August day. The scent is warm, lovely and bright.

The fragrance opens with a colorful swirl of peaches, roses, and lilies spiced up with a bit of cardamom. The combination is pleasant and happy. The spicy note is definitely not overpowering but rather adds a little kick to make the composition interesting. The lily is quite noticeable right from the beginning and in the heart notes it adds a nice cool balance to the sweetness of fruits. I love apricots in the heart notes layered on woody notes with a pinch of cinnamon. The composition is complex but blended quite lovely and I think that the notes complement each other well. I get more cedar towards the dry down as the scent becomes lighter and smoother. The sillage is medium on my skin but I think it is fine in this case, as the peach and apricot could be a bit too sweet for my taste with a stronger sillage. But I do wish that the scent lasted a bit longer. I re-apply it after 4 hours.

Overall score is 8/10. I love both, peaches and apricots combined with the gorgeous woody notes in this scent. Dolce Vita has an allure of a fruity gourmand scent but it is all grown up and sophisticated. I do not find this fragrance heavy, sickly sweet or synthetic. The scent is pleasant and easy to wear. I definitely recommend it even in its reformulated version. I would love though to try the original one.

I was so hoping to like this. I hoped it would be a spicy oriental, smoothed out by creamy vanilla on a clean cinnamon base. Well, sometimes, even perfumers make a mistake. I made a mistake trying this.

When I spray it on my skin, my skin definitely says a big "NO" to this fragrance. Dunno why. May be chemistry.

A true rotten coconut with a little spiciness from the cinnamon and the vanilla trying desperately to apologize for the overwhelming harshness. This is all I get from Dolce Vita. Just terrible, cheap, plain, boring and nutty coconut. Ladies, please do try something better than this, because I cannot bear to see a woman holding the totally misinterpreting beautiful round bottle.

No offence to DV fans, but shame on you Dior, for creating this boring, flat, annoying scent! I had not expected anything from Dior like this. Shame on you, Dior!

Too much wood and sweetness for me. The staying power is great, too bad I was annoyed by the smell. I like the first five minutes of it, but when it settles down ... it's headache inducing.

I've bought my bottle in 2006, so I suppose it's not reformulated.
Dolce Vita is warm and spicy, like Christmas candles. Golden and red are the colors to define it. It can be quite heady if overapplied. It has a kinda chemical air freshener note to it, the Glade ones, spiced apple kinda something. It also somehow resembles Coca Cola.
Overall, a pleasant, nice and warm fragrance. To my nose, not any similarity to Shiseido's Feminite du Bois. This is rather sparkling, not deep, and not dark in any way.
I have no idea about the reformulation, but this should exist in every woman's wardrobe.

I get lots of pepper on the initial blast with some woodiness. But there is no pepper listed in the notes. But its sharp and dry. I don't recognize that wood as sandalwood, so it must be the rosewood. I might have to explore rosewood in other perfumes, because I like it! But the strongest initial scent is the pepper, which is something I've been searching for... the pepper! but alas, it leaves too soon... within 15 minutes on me.

There is some citrus but it does not wonk me on the head like it seems to for others. And I suppose another smell I don't recognize is possibly cardamom. But the cardamom is what I bought the sample to experience...

It dries down sweet on me, but not cloyingly sweet....and then disappears all too soon. There is a complexity that my unrefined nose can't detect single notes from.

I love the whole darn thing from start to finish EXCEPT... the finish is too soon. Maybe a little viagra would help. ;)

I have my little short spray sample from The Perfumed Court, and am trying to decide if I should spring for a big ol' bottle... if I do, I know I'll need to carry it in my purse to re-apply within a few hours. Good thing this stuff isn't too pricey.

I'm intrigued by "the old formula" as some say it lasts longer... will be trolling around ebay for some of that.

Its interesting how so many people have so many different experiences from it. Just proves its complexity. And that chemistry counts! (so get samples first folks!).

As for the "human sweat" smell... nah... its not there at ALL for me.

Cant stand for Top Note but Middle and base note are great! Love Apricot and Cinnamon in it and hope if Dior re-edit this grapefruit and bergamot will dissappear! coz it's too shart and stay strong!

I bought this because of the description and the mostly wonderful reviews. But I have to say that I have to agree with the reviewer who says it smells like human sweat with exotic musky fumes. Unfortunately, that's exactly what it smelled like on me too.

The original formulation is gorgeous and one of my favourite winter scents. For me it captures the magic of Christmas Midnight Mass in a cathedral in Paris. When I wear it I am imagining myself in fabulous jewels and a wonderful (fake) mink coat. It's such a pity that current version is a pale, shallow shadow of it's former glory. Seek out the old version - mine has a top that is yellowed - that seems to be a fairly reliable indication that you are getting the good stuff.

And Dior - get your act together!!!

My mom had a tiny bottle of Dolce Vita Parfum when I was little. It was the most heavenly smell of my life, i remembered it for years.

This summer I came across an EDT in a discount section and bought it. It was a disappointment, really! A wet, and simple smell of apricot juice with a hint of wood, no flowers, no magic.

Later I learnt that it had been reformulated. So I am left with just a memory of the real DV. Shame on you Dior, you might have changed the name or something not to deceive people in such a cruel way(((

Anyway, I wear it sometimes and do enjoy the fragrance. I'd rate it 5/10 now.

This perfume is the apple of my eyes.... I am 24 years old, but I love it. I have seen reviews suggesting it for mature and older women and I totally disagree. I love the combination of vanilla, sandalwood, cardamom ... sooo yummy. It has a great lasting power with my body chemistry. It is great for fall and winter seasons. It stays on my skin even after I take a shower.
A beautiful scent. CLASSIC.

[NOV/10/2011]

i asked someone what she was wearing the other day and was SO surprised that is was dolce vita! on her it smelt fantastic: rich floral, deep and sophisticated... I had always thought it was too... woody/spicy or something. maybe it was her chemistry or the fact it was a few hours old. i love being surprised and rethinking opinions

2nd review

I wouldn't buy it again! It is too light and shortlasting on me...
I used about 20mls in 2-3 days by reapplying all the time.
Maybe it is my skin but i found it waste of money.

Am I the first person who is going to tell the truth about Dolce Vita ? It smells of human sweat masked in a heady covering of exotic musky fumes.

I like Dolce Vita a lot but i can't stand the top notes. They are too citrus on my skin.
But after a while it becomes a sweet, cosy and classic scent for young women!
Not too loud not too sweet!
Perfect for autumn!
I would also like to try the pre-reformulation scent just to compare them.

For once I disagree with the slating of reformulations. Yes, Dolce Vita was great when it came out, and yes its idea was reprised by Bourdon from Feminite Du Bois, and yes, isn't it awful when perfumes are modified etc etc.

But the sweet-woody effect of the Old Dolce Vita has now become sparklier, more contemporary, like a lighter lemon meringue instead of a heavy-handed lemon cheesecake left to stand for a day on a wet wooden board. The Feminite' idea has almost gone, and, having tested both the vintage and the reformulation, in my opinion Dolce Vita is all the better for it in its new incarnation: a happier scent in times of recession, and less derivative from its creator's other projects, which is never an imaginative idea anyway.

Those who have seen my past reviews know that I am partial to a citrus scent, yet if you think Dolce Vita now smells dim, see the idea done badly in countless celebrity perfumes, and rejoice: it is still Dior, it is still a joyful, well put together classic. La Vita e' Dolce, after all.

@ frumpyboo: you totally nailed it about the reformulation! Everything is absolutly right starting from lasting power ending with lack of the soul in a reformulaed DV. To someone who hasn´t experienced the original one it might be still very nice, but to me, as the huge fan of this amazing fragrance this was a total catastrophe! Quite literally I simply couldn´t enjoy it, while wearing it. I didn´t know why and blamed it on my changes of taste until i have found out about reformulation. Now i have managed to stock up a several bottles of original formula and even the pure perfume in 50ml size (tester) and i can really enjoy the cinnamon, the spices and warmth of DV in it´s fullest beauty.
The new one is just sticky sweet and bland. And doesn´t last like the old one (which lasted literally for several days!!!!). If you really want to experience this fragrance to the fullest and love sweet fragrances, then DO try the original formula. The minis they sell on ebay are the ones you need to look for if you´re still undecided, they are all old formula. Try first, cause it might be also too sweet (cinnamon, vanilla, peach, cocnut, heliotrope...) for someone. But this is totally me! The greatest looooove of aaaaaall.... is happening to meeeeeee (he-he, that´s Whitney Houston). One of the best winter and late autumn fragrances ever made!!! That´s when it sparkles at it fullest, during summer it might still be too heavy.

I thought I'd start my first review on my signature scent.

Dolce Vita, even with its new disposition is my all time favourite because it's still wearable and it's been with me since the mid 90s. My one personal disappointment with the reformulation is that it doesn't last very long and I'm usually refreshing the scent after 4 or 5 hours of wear. Noticable now is the initial bold citrus spicy blast unlike before when the fruits were softer and a little more playful. The dry-down isn't as strong as it use to be either. The woody notes don't seem to give it the depth and stamina it use to have and the florals IMO are non-existent or possibly lost in the spicy fruit accord.

By the smell of things, Dior's been stingy on the vanilla and sandalwood and heavy handed with some citrus concoction that's maybe 20% peach and 10% apricot.

I remember going out to a club back in the mid 90s feeling classy and demure yet extremely sexy when I wore DV. The next morning I could still smell subtle traces of it on my clothes over 12 hours later. Now Dolce Vita is very different.

Admittedly my chemistry and senses may have changed somewhat but if you've been an avid and devoted Dolce Vita wearer, you too would smell and feel the difference. It's like it has no soul anymore if anyone can understand that. It is unfortunate that Dolce Vita doesn't have the same potent stamina it use to have. But in saying so, it's still lovely to wear and it suits me fine. My husband, friends and family love it on me and I'm still able to pull a compliment or two out in public.

For me this is a more feminine version of Kenzo jungle L'elephant. Very spicy and elegant, I feel like I'm on the top of the world while wearing this. Too bad it doesn't last long on me at all.

edit: I found that if i put on 2 sprays of this it'd last all day long.

I think it's a great fragrance for fall and winter. Too strong for summer days/nights, but perfect for October.

Did you love Dolce Vita in the 1990s, and did it make you feel like you were a prima donna being showered by big bouquets and applause and spotlights? It sort of sang "What a lady what a night!"

Then you'll be VERY disappointed with the new formulation. It's clonky and far too spicy, and it's not luminous and luscious at all. Surely that was the whole point of Dolce Vita?

I'm so glad that I have a half-full bottle of the original. I shall treasure every drop.

I'm lucky enough to own the old formulation, I haven't tried the new one yet.
I love it, though I don't wear it too often. Spicy and sweet, the notes look like a recipe for a rich Christmas cake, and accordingly Dolce Vita is indeed a most delicious treat.
A word of warning though, don't blind buy, its very strong and spicy.

I hesitate to buy Doce Vita or l'Intant de Guerlain.. Can anyone help me please.

Bad, useless re-formulation for a great scent that was both luminous and woody, but very balanced.
Now it has a fair resemblance, you may guess it's still Dolcevita after a burn-out, flat and weak without balance.

my greatest love....."I'm so pretty, I'm so pretty, I'm so pretty and witty and gay"........that's the kind of feeling this gorgeous fragrance evokes in me every time I wear it!

It is such a shame they have reformulated it. It lacks of power and it doesn't last very long now - maybe for 4-5 hours and that's it. Such a bad move, Dior.

The first thing that attracted me in the case of Dolce Vita by Christian Dior is the beautiful design of its glass bottle. This bottle is just been made to be on display on a dressing table! However, the well-shaped bottle is not all of it: this oriental woody fragrance is simply great! It is sharp and very seductive. It is also quite strong and one should not apply a lot. Even if I apply a bit, people can smell it and I always got compliments on it. This fragrance definitively has a character. I find it to be warm and sophisticated, feminine and uplifting. Wearing this fragrance for me is a lot like wearing a favourite summer blouse.

My granny's signature scent.

When I'm wearing Dolce Vita I feel so elegant and sexy! When I close my eyes I can see Summer in Italy the sun and lovely life this is what Dolce Vita make me feel, need to buy again..

As I become more educated about perfumes, I find that I have to like them, but that's not a big deal, I like a lot of scents. They also have to project an image - they have to tell the sniffer something about me. Or, at least something that I want them to THINK I am.
Other reviewers are much better at picking out the fragrance notes, I am more about the impression it leaves.
Dolce Vita on me, smells like someone who's been raised with the best of everything, and knows how to tell the difference. It's what her cashmire coat smells like. It's very sophisticated and urbane, but also warm and friendly. Worn correctly (and it's easy to overdo this monster), it speaks of understated richness. Pearls and supple leather, although it smells nothing like pearls OR leather.
Wear this for your 20th high school reunion, and your friends will think that you married into old money.

This is less of an oriental woody then I was expecting and I'm actually glad in this case. I wouldn't alter this one iota.
The opening is a soft cinnamon, with vanilla and a well used peach, that is never sticky or overly fruity. As this wears the vanilla gets stronger, the lovely cardamom note pops out and a hint of woods and a delicate magnolia appear, the peach blending smoothly into the somewhat deeper scent of apricot. The dry down is reminiscent to me of a thinner masala chai tea, the vanilla making it a little milky, with soft cinnamon and cardamom. This is such a beautiful fragrance. It is Cinema-esque, but much more subtle, less sweet. The name doesn't seem to suit it at all, 'Dolce Vita' is loud and exuberant and I think this fragrance is more refined than that. Truly gorgeous. And this is an example of vanilla used in the best way. Also, can't believe this isn't an EDP, the staying power is amazing. I tried this on a recommendation from another Fragrantica member and I am so thankful for their suggestion! :)

Dolce Vita is a lovely perfume of dusty sandalwood, cedar and cinnamon. It has a classic feel about it and although it has some spice, it is a smoothed-out spice rather than a loud one. A hint of dry coconut-peach sweetness, but only in the background. Sophisticated, cheery and pleasant.

Although I like it, it does have that "perfumey" smell on my skin that makes it feel a little dated and generic for my taste. I definitely think it's a high-quality scent and recommend trying it out, but personally I just don't feel strongly enough about it to invest in a bottle.

Too 'Dolce' and intense for me.
I remember when I was a student, my mother bought it for me after a trip abroad, and I found it out when I returned home at summer.

Dolce Vita is very spicy and sweet. It really fills the air, it lasts long, it is most suitable for winter IMHO.
One can't say it's not a nice or 'rich' and well blended perfume but personaly can't stand it for more than an hour.
Its spicyness reminds me a lot of Loulou.
It's quite playful but then, if one wants a playful scent, there are many much more affordable ones for everyday use (Hard Candy).

I can remember 15 years back, as a college girl, I couldn't afford expensive perfumes but nevertheless, I preferred to save and purchase a 5ml or 10ml mini of an exclusive designer fragrance rather than indulge in a huge 100ml bottle of a 'smell-a-like'.
My first impression after applying Dolce Vita on my wrists was awful - it smelled like a cough syrup my mum used to give me when I was a child. Consequently, I associated Dolce Vita with a child-trauma :-)
When I tried it 15 years later, no nasty memories came back, my heart started to melt when, against myself, I repurchased a huge 100ml Dolce Vita bottle.
At present - Dolce Vita, to me, is an excellent woody fragrance that feels cozy, enveloping, warming and soothing.
(I consider it a sister to Voile D'Ambre by Yves Rocher)
I cannot imagine icy, crispy winter season without it and if it's ever discontinued, I'd rather become a grizzly bear hibernating throughout winter than wake up on a dark, snowy morning without my life saver bottle of Dolce Vita which always helps me make it through the winter...

Definitely the best from Christian Dior!Elegant,unique and long lasting perfume.It was a birthday present from my husband.Reminds me about autumn days.

How I love this parfume. I feel very nostalgic about it. Some day I'll buy it,if it's not discontinued

Stunning and feminine! And it lasts forever.

Smiling to Lingonberry. I wonder if scent can ever, truely ever be "old". For me scents are timeless without "age". This was one I used when I was 19 year old, and never thought this to be "old". This is complicated maby, and multifaced. But these are things in scent what makes it unique, out of main stream. Dolce Vita is rich, comforting, sweet, very alluring. If You want something different, something that You will not get sniffed from others walking by... then choose Dolce Vita. Unique persons needs unique scents. ***<3<3<3***

Spritzy, bubbly, fizzy. Initial millisecond long whiff of citruses and then...let me tell you, this is the worst granny scent ever! What the h-l, it smells old. This was a blind buy on sale. I was so disappointed that we did'nt get along when I tried it the first time, I wanted to like it but I had to scrub it off.
BUT I've had to revise my beliefs not once but many times (of course only regarding fragrances ;-), hm... ).

I wanted to try again and see if I could wear it. Freshly showered, spraying and sniffing it in intervals... eyes closed while sniffing...just recording the smell, trying to not be judgemental...
I am pleased to say that I now have a scent that smells ... fizzy old. It really is very airy, very light and I get how it would be described as sparkling. To me, it still smells old, very sweet and powdery. I don't mind sweetness or powderiness but maybe the two together in this scent don't work for me as they work for others.

After managing this smell for an hour or so, probably halfway into hearnotes, a peppery apricot greets me and introduces me to its friends the wood and the vanilla (and something else that I can't distinguish). The woodiness is the last thing that remains on my skin an in all its warmth and comfort, this is loveable! Unexpected, but it makes me wanna keep my bottle and start wearing this more (not sure if sure I can endure the start of this perfume). It is certainly more multifaceted than other light daytime choices.

The longevity for 5-6 spritzes in total is well more than 12 hours.
I can't comment on sillage since the amount I sprayed would not do the perfume justice in this point.

(I would have liked some more cinnamon. Maybe I'll sniff the Boudoir as last reviewer mentioned.)

Edit for Kosmoskukka: Well... There is the good old and the not so good old. Old= time. Scents are so subjective and revoke feelings as well as memories so, all in all, old is the way I interpret and describe the first hour of this scent :). For me it's the not so good old. Chanel no 5 or L'heure bleue, I would interpret as the good old. Timeless.

Not at all what I was expecting. This is the sugary cinnamon opening of Vivienne Westwood's Boudoir (minus the indolic orange blossoms) with a strangely cumin-y drydown reminiscent of Rochas Femme.

I originally thought this would be a warm, syrupy-thick scent with golden, honeyed fruits and spices, but the base is surprisingly thin, woody-chypre, and non-sweet. Lasting power is fairly unimpressive as well.

I prefer the two previously mentioned fragrances for their more complex/interesting development on my skin, but if you're looking for something subtler, give this one a whirl.

sunny, and woody, and beautiful but I never manage to wear it. There is a point in it where I get only cinnamon and pencil shavings and ( I have to admit) a complete headache. I thought I loved this until I got a 5 ml mini and started to wear it daily. No, this is not for me, it is somehow too strong ( oh, boy, did I just say that ?! I love powerhouses and Angel, Womanity, Wish and Alien have never been to strong to me ). Well, Dolce Vita is! I like everything about this perfume ( name, bottle, notes,concept, smell) but just can't wear it ... It's like a handsome guy you would never date. When he is away you keep thinking about him but as soon as you see him you say, nah, I don't want him ! :)

UPDATE- I think this could be a great men's fragrance ! I tested it today on my husband and I have to say, it is wonderful as a men cologne ! I told him it is an unisex from Dior and he bought it ! I think I'll get him a huge bottle for Xmass, because it is absolutely sexy and brilliant !

in my opinion at the beginning it is very citrusy, but also kind of sweet. it reminds me somehow on summer and icecream (not a creamy one, but a juicy one). the lasting power is really really good and the longer it stays on my skin, the more i get the vanilla note.to me its very unique. i think that can become a really lasting love :)

On the right skin this perfume is irresistible!
When a woman wears it and passes by, I feel I have no other option but to follow her, a playful combination of charm and sexuality so audaciously expressed.
Not all men are mesmerised equally by this perfume but it should be considered one of the strongest elements in a woman's armoury.
It has similarities to this other perfume from Shiseido
which, while less sparkling and noisy, it has a far more appropriate name than "Dolce Vita".
For this kind of smell, "Dolce Vita" sounds terribly innocent I'm afraid!

very very sweet & overpowering, almost unbearable for me...

Cinnamon,Sweet cinnamon,Very sweet cinnamon!

Very rich, also sweet and chic fragrance, opulent in the french way. Its for the night.
My boyfried give it to my like a present and another guy was wondering, oh gosh, you smell heavenly. It was 10 year ago, when I studied on the University.
Then I did not use it, because my signatur fragrance is Champs Elysée.
When I nowadays walked into the parfumery store and trayed something from Cartier, it smelled the same way, only lighter and more airy and watery. I remebered this beautiful fragrance, which Dolce Vita is and both this again.

I use it often, when I can not get sleep. After spraying I fall into the sleep in a half hour and can sleep very well. That´s strange. Even better fragrance for sleep for me than lavadel and thymus mix.

Smells like drinking alcohol to me. When I wore it I kept thinking I smelt like if I had been drnkin rum and coke or something like that :o/

the name of these perfumes says for itself - it's sweet, lively and elegant - as it's bottle. it's too strong for a day, but perfect for the night - not only winter but other as well.

The Dolce Vita in my memory is an utterly beautiful, luxury sweet homely perfume; it’s one of the few perfumes contributes to my really early olfactory memories of fumes. After I got my hands on a bottle, I find it smells slightly different to what I smelled about 10 years ago. Not sure if it’s reformulated, but the new one I’ve recently got smells rather thin, and not having much backbone, yet still nice enough.

Dolce Vita(I presume it’s a reformulated version) starts quite thin, sweet, echo-y and even juicy to my nose with a really discreet banana undertone mixed with quasi-cinnamon spiceness. Soon after it transformed in to the typical Dolce Vita I remembered since I was little: it is sweet, kinda dry, like dry wood without the woodiness, and sweet. It’s the kind of sweetness that doesn’t give me a headache (as appose to the Britney Fantasy type of real puch-you-on-the-head sweetness, no offense, I wear Fantasy sometimes), Dolce Vita sweetness grows in a spicy plum-flavoured hard candy manner, unless you get your nose really close and keep on inhaling, the sweetness wouldn’t punch you, instead it dances in the air like a trace of delicate, yet strong smoke, you may now and then get a bit.

The dry down is spicier, woodier, dry-sweeter and more powderised in a vanilla smooth way than before, somehow it’s rather linear to me. It is lovely, quite classic in a warm and welcoming way.As a perfume by it self, I like it.

Many mentioned Dolce Vita is similar to Shiseido Feminite du Bois, I find them only similar in the outside sweetness and the initial impression; personally I find Feminite du Bois is a much refined and better one because of it’s more elegantly done woody-spicy-sweet feel(think about old Hollywood glamour), while despite that I like Dolce Vita, the Dolce Vita I can get nowadays somehow is totally dwarfed by the presence of Feminite du Bois, as it feels thin and made up (which makes me constantly thinking about beautiful bombshells with a lot of make up on, and possibly some cosmetical surgery touch, and somewhat talk kinda ‘blonde’, sorry I cannot think about any other metaphor at this stage, hope I don’t offend anyone, and I like Dolce Vita tho).

I had this a long time ago, but my memory of it is still very vivid. Now that I am a bit more familiar with notes, I would say that the grapefruit is the strongest note out of the gates... then it is quickly softened by the cinnamon and vanilla. The dry-down is slightly sweet and woody. A very nice feminine scent, it stands out alone. I can't quite think of another fragrance that is similar. It is not an overpowering scent, sillage is close, and the lasting power is great.

Dolce Vita is not particularly sweet IMO, it is a bright and scintillating perfume, the opening notes suddenly burst out like thousands of silver stars which sparkle brightly in the midnight blue sky before they fade slightly and begin to settle into a fragrant "white" veil around me. They still continue to sparkle and dance like bubbles in a glass of champagne. Each note somehow "explodes" before developing to the max and then harmonizing briefly with the next note. I then get a drydown (which lasts for ages) of a peppery slightly sweet scent like grapefruit fusing with woodsy/spicy notes, sprinkled lightly with something faintly floral. This perfume is lovely, perfect for summer days and garden parties, even though it does make me sneeze LOL. The sillage is great, the notes never really "settle down", they jump around instead like playful puppies LOL and continue to follow me with a silvery peppery slightly fruity trail.... Certainly different, Dior!

I bought this for the brand back in the day... it's not the greatest scent. Considering the notes: coconut, cinamon etc.. none of the notes come through, this perfume smells old, musky, sweet wood with florals... I'm not sure what note makes this smell toxic, like acetone, it stays even after the dry-down.

Delicious! A fragrance, but not casual ... This is the joy of hearing a good sax solo, a woman flung open laughter is what comes to mind when I feel this perfume. Notes of peaches are still green, with a cica comes to paly, soon to be sweetened by the sweet / sour of a fresh apricot in elvonto a bouquet of flowers for a happy spring. Perfume happy!

Very rich and chic fragrance

Dolce Vita is one of my small core of 'old faithfuls' - the perfumes I've loved constantly for years and return to again and again.

To me it's rich, warm and peppery and that's what I love about it - the peppery edge makes it distinct and takes the edge of the floral notes. It's great for evening use as it's very enticing and sexy, but not in an overbearing way. Having said that, I often wear it during the day too especially in Winter when I find it warming and somehow comforting.

Always makes me feel good, this one. Lifts my mood if I'm down and gives me a boost!

I really hope they haven't reformulated it. I'll make my current bottle last as long as possible, just in case!

Mysterious, with some spices and the duo peach/apricot makes it really unusual, sensual and shiny. Strange and lovely fragrance, it's like you're having a fruity tea in a spice market. Very good sillage/longevity.

Nostalgia fragrance for me. Too strong for my tastes at the moment, it's very "vibrant". I wonder how we all survived on the London/New York underground when fragrances like this were in vogue. But it conjures up an era to many people. I loved the shower gels in these Dior fragrances more than the actual fragrances themselves, the strength of the perfume was somewhat modified !

I have it. It smelled good on me in humid Chicago (where we were visiting), but disappeared within an hour in drier Northern California (where I live).

It's a lovely scent, but there just isn't enough base. So when the top notes wear off (which they do on me quickly), there's just nothing left.

I'm reduced to spraying my sheets with it.

Some reviewers have noted that this is a classic-smelling scent, suitable for "mature" and "over 50" (I'm not going to use that other phrase). Well I am mature and over 50 and I would not touch it with a barge pole, so I'm tossing it right back to you girls, thanks anyway. Cloying, strong, sweet and too many clashing notes.

a bowl of warm milky rice pudding with cinnamon!
this is pure comfort and cosiness for me

Reminds me of my time in Europe. I was in-love and living a pretty amazing lifestyle. Surely all things come to an end, however those nice memories last with this scent.

I wore this 10 years ago, and loved it!
Bought it again, and didn't quite feel the same way, so I gave it away.
Maybe I just wore it too much, as I couldn't get enough of it back then.
Still a definite like, but no longer a LOVE.

Smells like spicy angels - if that make any sense
But seriously, that's the picture I get, smelling this.
Very very classy

I tested this one today, expecting a horrible mess because of the infamous reformulation (This is my first ever testing of Dolce Vita so I have no prior expectations). I must say, I nearly laughed out loud on spraying it - this stuff is probably the most frivolous, joyful and golden scent I have ever come across!! It is totally unlike anything else that I own and it is absolutely uplifting without being a citrus fragrance, and sweet but still interesting enough not to be 'dumb'. I really like it and will be searching some out in the future for my collection for days when I want the sun to shine!!

this one i would classify as fruity wood, very nice articulated cedar note.

A member once said this gorgeous perfume is like Coca Cola and indeed that was the smell I used to think of, but couldn't get it right in the guessing. These days, any day I put it on, I smell Coke right away!!
LOVELY!
And I love Coca Cola!

For the longest time this was my signature scent. It went so well with my image. Soft, sophisticated, absolutely classic feminine, and longlasting. The bottles I've smelled lately don't do it for me. I guess it's because of the reformulation. What a pity... Dolce Vita just isn't the same... I'd love to get my hands on an old bottle.

I used to wear it 9 years ago and God, i loved it!! Dolce Vita... the name only already put me in a happy mood ;-) People would always ask me: mmmm, you smell just delicious! What is it???
Thanks for your information about the changed formula. I was about to buy a new bottle of Dolce Vita, but i will check it first!

it is really sweet, warm, feminin perfume, nice bottle also...perfect parfum.

I used to wear this perfume everyday as a child. It's a warm scent with the right amount of sweetness. I remember one of my friends in primary school always told me I smelled like cookies...

Fragrancestien is right!
I will also not buy anymore of the reformulated Dolce Vita! I have now the original formula and the reformulated one! OH MY GOD!!! They totally ruined this amazing and wonderfull fragrance! HOW COULD THEY??? It is nothing now compared to the original formula. Even my sister who is not a perfume specialist told that they smell completly different now and she would never buy the new one.
It used to be soooo comforting and warm oriental woody sweet scent, but now it is cold and faceless sticky sweet soda pop!
How i pitty all others who didn´t had a chance to try the original one, becuase most of you won´t understand the magic of this one.I feel really blessed being able to experience one of the best perfumes ever made in it´s original form.

When I first tried this perfume I was a perfume virgin and it was just pure passion. It still is. I can't imagine a a more glamorous and beautiful fragrance. I hope that they never never discontinue it. This is Dior's Chanel No.5.

I can't recall how many times I've received compliments on it, more even than on Angel.

The exotic medley of florality and fruitness at the opening is amazing and it's the best part on me, so I respray little and often. It would be great if there was a purse-size bottle. With those divine little dimples!

i have another review here 4 dolce vita BUT it was for the big CHANGE 2 the fragrance i will never buy it again:( and it used 2 be one of my very favorite's--go find my other review & you will understand! . . . . but it has been hit with a recking ball and cheapend & dulled down i have been in mourning litteraly

real glamour! it opens fruity and fresh with sunriped peach aroma, a creamy intense rose smell and a slight citric burst. the heart evokes with delicious sweet apricot and delicate powdery petals of magnolia and lily, in the background waves the Dior 'signature' rosewood - this typical smooth woodsy accord which i know very well from poison and others from Dior, making them all unique and distinctive as a Dior scent, added with a hint of spicy cinnamon, softened with heliotrope. the floral-fruity stage last a good while and blends well downwards to a base of earthy intense sandalwood-cedar aroma with just some hints of exotic coconut-vanilla trails... mmmhmmm!

unbelievable that this perfume is made in the early 90's! smells very sophisticated and modern.

Dior was always and keeps being avantguardist in perfumes and fashion!

longlastig and great silage... bottle stunning and very luxe!!!! dolvce vita indeed!

I can't think of any other fragrance with a name so appropriate! When I spray it on and close my eyes it's not difficult at all to imagine myself as a woman living a "sweet life": I see myself walking down a wide sunlit boulevard in Roma. The air is filled with gently sweet smell of peach blossoms. I'm wearing a simple but luxurious coctail dress in pale yellow and exquisite yellow gold earrings. Oh, and of course, I'm carrying a small beige Dior handbag with golden details...
I open my eyes and all the glamour is gone - I'm still wearing my jeans and sitting in my office - I would not call that a sweet life :-) But when I start sniffing again...the light woodsy vanilla with a touch of juicy peach takes me back to paradise instantly!

I tried this perfume long time ago and after a nice opening all I could feel was clove notes although it is not in the pyramid notes. It was not pleasant at all. But now I am planning to try it again. It is in my `I want` list for trying later on.

My mom wears this one and loves it.
I love the top notes, fresh and plesant.
Then the perfume gets more spicy and sweet.
After some minutes, it gets even sweeter, and my headache begins... Which is really sad, since I really like this fragrance, even though I'm not fond of sweet fragrances.
Well, I can't wear Dolce Vita, but I really can see a sophisticated lady, walking trough Champ-Élysées or any other classy avenue, enjoying her dolce vita.

my mum fav of all time. Love the smell and the personality ... One of the best DIOR ever made. :x But the new version is worst than the original, so bad...

I have discovered this one on a magazine ad , when it was launched , i immediately loved it , but i thought, "when i grow up" , despite it's not that strong, it's more for women nearly 25 and up .
It's a very "happy" perfume , for a loving and smiling woman , the scent is warm and floral (i hardly find any fruit in that) ans the little moon bottle is so lovely .

I sampled it last night for the first and I might be in the minority here but I didn't like it at all. This is supposed to be an oriental woody but to me it wasn't oriental enough, woodsy enough or sweet enough. On my skin smelled very green. I also find that this is more for mature women 45 and up. It's really high quality as when I sprayed the oils made the skin of my dry hand very shiny. Perhaps I'm missing something and need to retry but based on this first impression I will have to pass on this one!

My all time favorite!
The bottle, the ad, the name of perfume and the scent of course!!! Everything is perfect!!!
Scent of true happinies, very rich and playful!
Very warm scent that will make you feel like a true Diva!
BUT!!! IT IS NOT THE SAME AFTER THEY REFORMULATED IT!!!!
It used to be continiuous and much more richer and developing, but now it´s like a spit in your face! And now it doesn´t last at all! Previously you sprayed once and the next day you will still smell it, or if it would be on your clothes then it would last for days! but not anymore :(

love this scent, it is complex,rich, with lots of layers,exudes warmth and elegancy, lasts and changes throught the whole day! Classic!

I can say without doubt, it's a masterpice! Dolce Vita is priceless! I'm in love with this rich, sensitive fragrance. Pure perfection of Dolce Vita makes me feel like a movie star on the red carpet, like queen or godess. I use it only for special occations.
Dolce Vita covers me with the warmth of peach, cinnamon, vanilla and coconut (notes I smell very clear). This perfume keeps my elegance like an expencive cashmere coat.
The bottle is also gorgeous, it looks like a little golden jewel.
But I must confess, that lasting power is not great (about two or three hours). Anyway at present Dolce Vita is my favorite fragrance (and it has good chances to become my signature scent in the future).
With help of Dolce Vita I started take an interest in Oriental Woody group.

I can't believe somebody below said they've worn Dolce Vita in their early teens! Like champagne is for adults, Dolce Vita is for an elegant lady!

I liked it but it is too classic for me. Not enough modern. It's sweet but it's better for mature women. Good lasting.

Love it! It was my very first perfume which I bought at the age of 14 :) At first I saw its advertisement in ELLE magazine in 1996 and fell in love with the name and the bottle. Then, when I tried it I became really obsessed about it. And I love it up to now, it's one of my favourites. It's difficult for me to describe the scent, but all I know it's just absolutely gourgeous and amazing - my forever love :)

i got 3 bottles of this one , it's a timeless perfume .
spicy and remind me of my good memory.

i have this one. although i like it, it is so heavy and warm. can only use it in winters. otherwise it cause bad headache

Out-Of-Body-Experience......WOW! My heart simply wasn't prepared for how beautiful this fragrance is. One spray of this and I was blown away by its overwhelming presence. Never in all my years of smelling perfume have I ever encountered a fragrance such as Dior's Dolce Vita. OMG! I can't just call it beautiful, because Dolce Vita can't be described in a mere word. It's beyond beautiful. It's extremely gorgeous, glamorous, luxurious, feminine, sophisticated, classy, an attention getter, a crowd pleaser.......the envy of all others. On my skin it feels light, soft and very feminine. I'm in awe of Dolce Vita and its ethereal presence on my skin. Only Dior could create a timeless gem such as this. Dior's "Dolce Vita" is indeed a perfume of joy and happiness, reminding us of hot and sunny summer nostalgia, butterflies in autumn, and the magic of ordinary days. Every woman should have this. No other embraces and celebrates femininity such as Dolce Vita!

Isn't Dior's Dolce Vita is the counterpart of YSL's Champagne (Yvresse)?

Both supposed to be a joyful, sparkling, glamouros, lust for life parfum.

There's no other perfume that deserves its name better than Dolce Vita :) Sweet fruity notes never really disappear and it has a very good sillage; the first time I ever smelled this was after a lady just passed by me when I was waiting at the bus station. Then I asked her what was her perfume, it was sooo sweet that got me instantly. At first spray it feels a bit heavy and granma-ish, yes, but in a short while it catches its real tune. Luckily I don't smell any coconut in there. In short, Dolce Vita is really lovely and classy. Higly wearable. Both thumbs up :)

This perfume has an extremely elegant and sophisticated smell, it is rich on every stage of scent releasing but indeed the first note may seem a little "serious" like for an elegant lady age 50 and the second is has too much of a cinnamon for me.. They both disappear though, leaving a long-lasting, great pepper-like smell. I associate it with a decisive, powerful woman..So elegant, for a special occasion, maybe too manifesting a total independence for a date, though.

Still 1 of my favs ever. Glamourous, deep, floral, hot, and a beautiful bottle.

Sunny peaches on a terrace overlooking the Italian shores. This one smells of holiday. I'll have it over Escada any day of the week.

I dislike grapefruit, peach and cinnamon in perfumes so I don't know whatever possessed me to try this. Absolutely dire.

Imagine a bouquet of Honeysuckle, Freesias, Jasmine and peaches mixed together and you may have an idea of how this smells. It also has a subtle waft of spices mixed in and it seems very well blended to produce the perfect fragrance.

Don’t think this is anything like old ladies perfumes that smell strongly of Lily of the valley or Roses
DOLCE VITA has a lovely flowery scent to it. Made to turn heads any where it is suitable for both day and night wear, as the scent is not overpowering or sickly.
Dolce Vita opens up very sweet due to its fruit and spice top notes. When the aroma of Dolce Vita dies down lefts with a pleasant vanilla aroma mixed with the sandalwood that gives a masculine edge to it.appropriated for anytime casual use.

Dolce Vita... The name and the bottle in a mag ad has already grab my attention. I kinda know this would be quite a strong smell, and I'm right. The perfume smell heady and strong, almost masculine. But the vanilla and coconut notes able to control the smell. I don't really get the fruit notes here - but I do got citrus notes, floral and woodsy notes. After few minutes, it become so pleasant.
The perfume start with burst of citrus and woody notes, then followed by floral and the vanilla + coconut combination start to be the base notes. You might hate it in first 15 minutes, but it totally memorable scent. I bought it just after that because I can't stop sniffing my hand. Warm, comfy and so classy.
Strangely, my bf like it to and he wears it to work and nobody notice he wearing mine. But he fail to get compliments. But I do - from my friend and few strangers. The sillage is great, longevity is superb for a bottle of EDT. I can't believe it last more than 8 hours... Worth every cent that I paid for..

it's very chypre-esque in the beginning but don't be fooled. in half an hour it develops into a tasty sweet dry woody smell..and even though it is quite heavy i agree with many who said it smelled better in the summer..i think this is one of the summer nights perfumes that will remind you of the last hot days thruought the year..

I use Dolce Vita for many years.
It's long lasting warm and woody.I like Dior's perfumes and this is one of my classics best.Yes, it's glamorous and elegant.I love Dior.

God, is it true that this was reformulated? I always loved Dolce Vita, since I was like 11 years old, and I owned 3 bottles of it to the present date. My birthday this year I decided to buy me a new bottle, since mine had gone bad. When I tried it on, it smelled terrible, just like the gone bad... Now I bought a new sample of Dolce Vita and it smells bad too! Is it possible that it's because they changed the formula? How could body chemistry change a perfume so much?...

Folks, this here is one strong, dry, sweet, long-lasting perfume.

I devoted an entire arm (as opposed to just a wrist, or inside elbow, etc.) to test this, so it wouldn't "mingle" with any other scent. And it's not fair! I really wanted to love it. I wanted to experience what everyone else does when they wear this.

On me it's an overpowering combination of too-sweet vanilla bean with powdery roses. That's pretty much it. Maybe those are the notes that are intended to predominate, but I'm just not liking them? I LOVE citruses, peach and cedar, (which are listed as notes), but....nothing. Not a blessed other thing do I smell but vanilla and dusty rose.

Update: Much later. Bad limerick:

Hello there, my name is Chris
My "aroma" is sure hard to miss
Nothing's stronga or sweeta
Than La Dolce Vita
I don't think I'll ever buy this!

I like to wear it in August because DV smells like a sunny, hot afternoon of an overriped summer which is just about to fade away. There is something greedy about this scent and there is a trace of nostalgia in it too - as is the atmosphere of the last days of summer when mortals enjoy their time in a most gourmand way minding it's just about to be over. Decadent but joyfull, it unites melancholic serenity with zest for life. Creamy sweetness of vanilla is predominant - fruits and spices are melting in its warmth.

Definitely, Dolce Vita is one of the very few perfumes of my life.

I went from like to love with this fume... It smells how a fragrance should. Not gourmand at all.. and its unique, sweet, woody, some cinnamon, but what class !! A class that's rare to find. Love it. It neither over-powering nor headache inducing and definitely not boring !! You'll love it especially if u're a well-dressed (stylish) regular Church goer, strangely i feel so... dunno why :-? :)

I put on my skin dolce vita and i feel very elegant.

This fragrance is soft-warm and creamy, the kind of smell i will use in a beautiful sunny day, but I think it would be also very suitable for night.

Dolce vita is the kind of perfume that makes you feel glamorous, without being very vain.

Don't be alarmed, the presence of sandalwood, rosewood and cedar are very week, prominent notes are Peach, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon and a tender and creamy citrus side.

If Doce vita would be released today, i think it would have a great success, so i don't smell the old lady thing.

Very good fixation for a eau de toilette..

I have a problem with this fragrance. The smell is really nice, but since perfumes are about sensations and emotions, I have only negative ones for Dolce Vita. Somebody whom I really cannot stand as a person wears it, its her signature scent actually, and I simply have too bad connotations whenever I smell it. It's a pity, because the perfume is really good-with its distinct cinnamon and cedar notes, and I'm sure I would have worn it myself, but I just cannot make myself into it for some unreasonable personal reasons. Sorry :(

Very, very nice EDT!! I'll try it a bit longer, but so far it smells classic, feminine and elegant. Could become one of my favourites, but I'm not deciding yet...

An EDT with a fine aroma and sweet, perfect for a formal meeting or special events. Sultry and sensual.

Immortal for me. I had it first time 10 years ago and today I love it like before. Classic, sparkling like champagne, makes me feel happy. My Dolce Vita!

I got this today and it is a truly stunning perfume. I'd recommend it to anyone whatever their age.
It is really classy and elegant,it would make a great signature scent.

this is really a chef d'oeuvre of perfumery !!

one of my favourite scents , and one of the most important of the passed century ! and the comming ! cause it is forever magical perfume, it reminds me of so much souvenirs !!

J'adore... Dior !

I love it & I wear it all the time. I have just finished a bottle so I will be repurchasing one soon. Sweet but also woody, like a sunrise, a cheerful sunflower , like a vanilla version of the Tresor. Since It came out I have always used it and never gave it up, just like Samsara, which I absolutely adore .... Dolce Vita is my all time favorite casual scent

I discovered that this perfume is a masterpiece and I feel lucky to have it again. Very feminine, warm, lovely scent. I couldn't live without it.

I bought a bottle of DV at an airport shop untested. I was this reckless, because I simply Loved the look of the flacon and the concept of the fragrance: it had this air of chic, young, mediterranean woman-of-leisure about it.
However when I applied the fragrance later back home, I found the scent overwhelmingly sweet. Too much of vanilla in there, luscious, all-invasive, choking me in a warm embrace. It oozed from my skin from the first to the last moment of sillage.
Oddly, this scent is unbearable to me. Because of the abundance of vanilla (and maybe coconut)in it, I can not appreciate the otherwise happy, bubbling, licoricy spiciness, or the intense woodsiness.

I must confess how ardently I love and admire Dolce Vita. It is pure silk, a butterfly in Winter, an optimistic, laughing, joyous scent, reminding you that life has it beauties amongst its complexities.
It is a perfect balance of notes. Sparkling like the bottle. It is sweet but never cloying. Luxurious. I mean to convey the feeling this fragrance gives me as the notes speak for themselves, magnolia, coconut, lily, peaches, vanilla...they are all there but this is magic, pure magic! If perfumes were lovers, Dolce Vita would be the one for whom I would forsake all others to live contentedly in his embrace...the one who makes me smile in an unexpected Autumn shower, making me forget that that I have forgotten my umbrella because, when you really think about it, there is something exhilarating and liberating about dancing in the rain...inspirational, unforgettable perfume, the fairy dust of dreams.

I liked it, and I almost was prepared to buy it. But I thought: first a day trying! So I sprayed it all over my scarf and myself, and went out of the shop. Then, the next few hours, I was constantly smelling the perfume, which was kind of annoying. There is a saying that a perfume is 'yours' if you don't smell it yourself while wearing it, but others do. Then it's perfect. Helas, this wasn't the case for me and dolce vita. I still like the fragrance, but I know smelling it the whole time (untill it fades) will irritate me and I will soon get sick of it. So try before you buy!

Whoopsie! I was looking at the notes and to my shocker, No honey notes. Hmmmmm must be the coconut then.

I think the crayon smell that some people are refering to could be due to the overwelming honey note. This honey note dominates the whole composition on me and makes it smell very synthetic. I get no woods in this. Just honey and spices. Not for me.

dolce vita starts with lively fresh notes which i could imagine will make my life a dolce vita. my hopes remains high, until the top notes all but gone and the middle and base start to show.

it somehow turns to strange mix. on my skin it was like wet woods with plastic synthetic notes. i think it might be the coconut. almost all perfume with coconut note will turn funny on me...

it is very unfortunate that my skin chemistry doesnt agree with this classic...

do try it on your skin and wait for at least 2-3 hours before you decided to buy!

hahah, until now I never thought, that this could smell like crayons...But you might be right, cause since it has been reformulated, every interpretation can be true... It is a shame that scents that, once were true masterpieces, have been changed and lost their identity...

I tried this a little while ago & I swore I could smell crayons. Nah, couldn't be. I tried it again today and yes! Crayons!

It is indeed a warm, woody scent but so is the smell of pre-school. Not for me I am afraid even though I love the bottle and if I could just get past those crayons it would be delightful...

Hace pocos dias que probe este delicioso perfume. Me llevé una gran sorpresa al olerlo. Rico, riquissimo. Es el proximo perfume que compraré.

Hmm this is very interesting indeed, i smell a sweetness with cedar and slight cinnamon. To me it shares a similar note that I smell in Boudoir but I can't place my finger on it. This one will have to grow on me a bit. I will keep smelling it as its on me longer too.

one of my all time favs i remember being in the mall bought a red corderoy jumper got my hair washed and styled and got a free sample with my purchase put it on and went back the next day and bought a bottle and its been a love story every since it was 1994 and i was around 19 the end of summer perfect time to wear this scent just before the leaves fall but the weathers cooled down considerably late summer early fall the spicy scent is romantic and unusual in a good way ! maybe unique is a better word pretty bottle also

I first received this perfume as a birthday gift when it was new in the market. I remember that I found it to be a strange scent at first... kind of inouie to many people, but then it was an acquired taste... I got many compliments, and since it's unique, it became my signature scent for quite a few years. It's very distinctive and if you have smelled it once, you will most probably recognized it again!
p.s. This is the ONLY perfume that I can NEVER give me a headache!

In my top 5 favorite perfumes. The combination of cedar, sandelwood and florals makes this a very complex,and wonderful scent.

I've had this several times and all is okay in my world if this one is around. Another of my all time faves. Makes me so so so happy.

The strong scent and taste I know. Strong without being flippant. Extremely elegant, for strong and determined women.
The smell of spices is incredible, spicy blend of clove, pepper, incense. Madness!
I love this perfume!!!

This one for me is really lovely, Dior has impressed me yet again with this fragrance. I really am loving my Dior perfumes very much. They are just wonderful and last and last, which I love.

I see myself wearing this more in the summer months, although I feel you could wear this one anytime, and for any occasion. Office or casual, I think it would suit any age group as well. It is a wonderful woody/fruity floral. I just can't see this fragrance offending anyone.

The notes most detectable to my nose are the lily, rose, the subtle sweetness of peach, cedar, sandalwood, and a beautiful vanilla.

I really like it, and as Sherapop said in her review below - it too very much reminds me of the scent of a sauna.

Absolutely a keeper, and definately one I would buy again. Lasting power is great on me, about 8 hours, and so is the sillage.

Totally happy with this one, and the bottle is just a beauty! Very glamourous.

How Sweet It Is!!!

Oh, what a beautiful fragrance. So sensual, so exquisite, it has everything I could ever want in a perfume. Sweet, spicy, mixed with fruits and some florals, it's pure heaven to my nose. The lasting strength in this perfume is excellent, lasting all day with just 2 sprays. I recently re-purchased this one, and it's one I know I can never get tired of. I am always comparing other fragrances to this one, and most fail miserabley.
Suitable for 20-somethings all the way to 80-somethings. A scent you can most definitely have forever in your wardrobe. What more can a girl ask for in a perfume?

Dolce vita is a perfume for exuberant women who likes flashes and all attention on her...I don't like sweet perfumes I prefer citric fragrances, but is not a bad smell just dont match with me.

I'm bummed. Just found out my bottle of Dolce Vita has gone bad. This perfume defines sophistication, sensuality and joie de vivre for me. It's still very feminine, with a little gourmand vibe that I love!
Oh, well... Hope I can get another bottle soon!

The smells really "sophisticated". Not to say its bad, just not my type. I prefer simple notes on fragrance.

I find this such a sophisticated scent. I could never tire of it.

Very surprised by this scent! I was expecting a heavy 'old school' kinda smell, and found it rather soft and sensuous. I don't wear woody frags, but if I had to choose one, this would be it.

DOLCE VITA is a very warm, woody scent which completely contradicts not only the bottle covered with concave dots--which makes it seem as though it must be filled with effervescent champagne--but also the name, which unavoidably alludes to Federico Fellini's eponymous film about decadence. Added to that, the advertising images have nothing to do with what this fragrance is all about.

Stern, sober, clean wood. The kind of wood that you smell best inside a sauna because of the heat. The cedar, sandalwood, and rosewood really dominate here, making me feel as though I'm sitting in a log cabin in front of a fire. Or inside a sauna!

Some will find the cedar a bit overwhelming--it even seems at times as strong as a cedar shavings put in a closet to fend off moths! But if you like that clean cedar, rosewood, sandalwood smell, a different sort of clean--neither like the "blue" fragrances nor the soapy ones--you might like DOLCE VITA, for a change. It may even warm the cockles of your heart on a cold winter night.

What can i say about Dolce Vita ! Definitely a very intresting perfume.

Sweet but not so sweet. Dry... I feel it woody and spicy ! the dry down is very powdery, "dusty "...and...gives me the impression of Old, an " rotten" smell...?!?...Vintage *

It is not a fragrance for every day -casual- summer !!!
This is heavy staff !
... very nice fragrance,luxurious, for fall -winter, evening weare!
The sillage is great, also the staying power.:)

I have to say I adore this perfume. To me it smells luxurious, warm, luminous and spicy. Unique.

Out of all the listed notes, my skin puts in evidence mostly the lily, the sandalwood, and the spices, especially cinnamon. The result is an enchanting trail of something like gold dust would smell, if gold had a smell. If I didn't have so many perfumes, this one could be my signature, I love it so much.

It's a very special perfume, I have not smelled anything similar. it is for a refined and classy free spirit, elegant and flirty woman.

It is very well received by the male parties, who seem to find it very attractive. It is best worn in cooler summer nights or in the cold season, when it warms up and becomes the fragrant hope for the better days to come.

I was in love with this perfume for years as a child before I recieved it as a (requested) gift as an adult. This is my 'sophistiated' perfume. I wear it in cooler weather generally. It's sweet but has a lot of complexity. It initially smells like the ripest summer peach mixed with some heady summery florals, it's enchanting. There is no phase the fragrance goes through that I don't enjoy. I use it sparingly and never in very hot weather because it can make me feel sickly if i'm overenthusiastic. I tend to use it on the wrists or forearms The bottle is the prettiest I own. I have the edt.

Let's start by saying that this is a rather unique fragrance. It has a certain powdery and musky quality which could take you either side of the fence. Love it or hate it you can't deny that this is a very intriguing scent.

Sweet it definitely is, however this isn't synthetic or sugary sweet, it's more accustomed to being powdery sweet, almost a sunny and warming scent.

Peach seems to be the most dominant note to my nose. Subtle hints of rose, lily, apricot, coconut, vanilla and woodsy notes make up a majority of the fragrance. In a way Dolce Vita can be interpreted as a tropical scent, being slightly beachy.

Unfortunately this fragrance disturbs me. I'll blame it on the musky vanilla which makes me think of dark and damp cellars and second hand dress stores.

Overall, the lasting strength and sillage are equally good. Distinctive and generally well received, Dolce Vita may not appeal to me but I'm sure others will enjoy.

Dolce Vita is perfume were you can from the name guess what to expect inside the bottle (by the way the bottle looks classy and luxurious). It is sweet without any doubt, but not in a kind of overpowering or synthetic way. It is pleasantly sweet. The smell of it reminded me on old classic style actress, seductive and elegant at the same time. I can easily picture women like Sophia Loren or Grace Kelly wearing this one.

In the year when Dolce Vita was released I was in my teens and that was one of the favorite women fragrances. I couldn’t understand its popularity then, the same as I don’t understand why it isn’t more popular these days. Many things take time to settle on their right place.

Dolce Vita has certainly found its place in my heart.

Luminous, sutble but long lasting. A great cedar - chypre - alittle gourmand perfume. I heard it was reformulated in the early 2000s.
Classy and a rare gem .

Dolce Vita a perfume for all women no matter what age.Exotic, warm little sweet and feminine.CLASS

such a great scent!!!!waaaw and waaaaw!i always take compliments when i'm wearing it.it's elegant,sexy,sweet.i thinck everybody loves it.

The bottle appealed to me, and the package colors. I couldn't wait to use this up, though I don't remember doing so. Perhaps it merely went bad in the 'fridge after a long period or nonuse.

This is an extremely charming fragrance. Although it retails at 4 times the price in my country, it is something that I cannot do without and so I will always buy it. My mom was the one who discovered it and ever since, there has been nothing that comes close to its richness and luxury. Men and women are drawn to this one as it has such an amazing silage but what is most fascinating about it, is the sense of exhilaration one gets as soon as it opens...the tenderness of peach, the warmth of the spices...engulfed in an ocean of sandalwood and vanilla. Indeed, it becomes difficult to define as it is both warm and cool, both sophisticated and debonair. Another plus is that it is not at all musky or animalistic and can be worn both casually and on special occasions. It is as if this scent forms a special and magical relationship with the wearer, adapting to compliment whatever the mood or season. In the winter it is an enchanted coat, in the summer the most beautiful silk foulard, dancing and embracing at the same time...it is truly the perfume of joy and happiness, a perfect creation.

I thought long about this perfume, and then finally bought it. And I did not regretted; a wonderful warm fragrance, passionate and woody, very feminine, to me, even a bit spicy. Peach and apricot with coconut and cinnamon in such a magical combination, which makes an irresistible calling to Nightlife.
French perfume & Italian style.I love Italy and I like the combination of Parisian chic with the Italian spirit
I like the bottle, perfume box, colors... just everything about this perfume is attractive and desirable.

Many compare Dolce Vita to Feminite du Bois, though at very few first seconds I really didn't think of it. It's sure is like FdB's more tender sister. If Feminite goes bo on one who really loves FdB, this is the solution.
I find in Dolce Vita common note combo like in FdB, I call it 'carnations'- only Dolce Vita is warm, polished so much that it glows. Dolce Vita also hasn't got any trace of resin, incense or sharp notes in it, and in my opinion it suits very much warmer days too. Dry-down is more nut like and warm woody.

Warm, spicy, and bright(you could even say it glows). Not candy, or garden, or fruit salad. It's very sophisticated and complex, but not haughty or austere. I love it.

First off I have to say that I love the bottle. So I don't think this is much of a woody oriental scent. But it is sure extremely posh and sophisticated. it smells like fruit and lingering cinnamon together with woods. As soon as I smelled this scent I started to think about the Fellini film Dolce Vita. I can truly picture Silvia from Dolce Viat wearing this. Daring,outrageous,sophisticated and beautiful!

One of Diors best,timeless,beautiful,feminin and classy.I feel beautiful when i wear this...a must have for all women!

Dolcevita has been one of my signature when I was much younger. I was about 25 and quite casual, but I always loved classy floral orientals.
I liked it so much, but I lived in UK where people 18-25 where all into fruity-sugary and Dolcevita looked too ladylike.
It is ladylike, but also very bright. It opens with a brisk fresh floral note, tehn it goes to cinnamon and then vanilla with strong but mellow woody notes. Beautiful, bright and romantic.
I would call it the happy side of Shalimar! I don't wear it now because of memories and my tastes are different, but Dolcevita stays as one of my staples and one of loveliest Dior's creations. The body lotion is also very pleasant and it keeps to the scent. Worthy trying it at least once in life :-)

Sweet-indeed sweet, but in a drier floral way. I think it would be a nice fragrance to wear in cold weather, to remind one of warmer flower-filled days-no woods. I don't love it, but I like it, and I can't imagine it offending anyone.

It's one of those beautifully balanced fragrances, absolutely unremarkable on my skin, but pleasant. The right day could bring out Dolce Vita, the right day could give its not light but not heavy sweetness some kind of depth and allure, but I never had that day. This is not what I imagine when I hear the term la dolce vita, although it is definitely la dolce vita di qualcuna.

Somebody once described this scent as one of the "boring sweets" (if you said this, let me know, identify yourself!) I agree with this statement, although it is classy, and it stands out for a boring sweet.

Actually, it's kind of more interesting in warm weather, since it seems like a safer kind of fragrance-a gentle oriental, not floriental, not oriental woody, and none of the strength, but it's definitely not hollow.

Perhaps I’m not grown enough for this scent but I still don’t get its richness and bohemian beauty. I tested it and tested it… but every time is the same: woody and a little smoky scent with a high dose of cardamom. I don’t know if it’s my body chemistry but at the end a sour and unpleasant note left on my skin.
Yes, it is elegant one, but it’s not my picture of sunny days and easy-living. Instead of that I imagine a serious lady wearing a business suit without a trace of joy, happiness, etc.

I tested the parfum version. Right from the top, it's rich with spice and what seems to me to be plum, rather than peach or apricot. The florals are quite soft, and the woody-spicy notes more prominent. The whole perfume seems to be a poem to the richness of wood, accented by fruit and spice. This is excellently warm on a cold, wet day. I understand that Dolce Vita is a version of Sheldrake and Bourdon's Femininite de Bois for Shiseido, along with the "Bois" series they did for Serge Lutens. It's certainly gorgeous.

I don't buy perfume for the bottle, but I have to say that this is one of the most beautiful bottles I've ever seen. It's so pretty.

Although parfum tends to stay close to the skin, this scent radiates more than usual, so I estimate that the sillage on the EDT would be pretty impressive.

Edit: I liked the parfum so much that I also bought a bottle of the edt. It does radiate lovely sillage, which would probably be overwhelming in an office or elevator - so spray gently. Having now smelled several of the "Bois" series, I can say that Dolce Vita is my favorite so far; it is plush, jammy, and rich.

Definitely it is a feminine and tender perfume. And its name means the attitude of life. Balanced, with extraordinary mixed notes that offer you creamy and sweet seduction. Not overpowering but stable and long lasting. Classy and timeless, any time and every time.

first impressions:the bottle catches my eye.I'm so eager to test it.the smelling is incredible.although the shape of bottle made me think of a absolute classic boring perfume,it's not true.it starts with spicy notes,leading to sweet and floral scents,including peach and .I can't get enough of it.chic,elegant and sexy.
second impressions:it's totally changing between spicy notes and sweet ones.then it becomes too sweet to take.smells even a bit cheap.I don't like it at all.
final impressions: it becomes milder after half an hour and all I can recognize is lily.again sweet like life.

From the box to the bottle to the scent, Dolce Vita is laughing: Classy! It's rich, not rich like rice puddings or cookies or chocolate cake; rich like like holidays in Monte Carlo, like 1950s film stars, like Italian brides on vespas or impossible yachts moored at St Tropez. It avoids the fustiness of certain elder Diors, possibly because the bottle resembles a chic dalek!

The top notes are a lovely blend of fruit, flowers and spices but I suspect the sandalwood is the power behind the throne. A beautiful scent which manages to be subtle but memorable, Dolce Vita is a less universally splattered Dior, which perhaps is just as well...means it never loses its sense of being something special.

Estoy felíz por haber comprado este perfume desde el primer instante, hacen 13 años y sigo comprándolo. Fué el segundo perfume que escogí por mi misma, en mi adolescencia, y es definitivamente uno de mis favoritos.
Es simplemente fantástico, siempre me pone de buen humor. Es delicado, femenino, alegre, notable, vibrante¡¡¡ Muy armónico.
Creo que siempre lo compraría.
Bien puede ser un perfume clásico, y adecuado para cualquier ocasión, aunque Yo particularmente, prefiero usarlo de día.
Siento que combina conmigo perfectamente¡¡¡ :D

This is a lovely, warm fragrance - goes well with cashmere jumpers and blazing fires. I find the body lotion too sweet and cloying, but the EDT or the perfume (used with restraint) is gorgeous. Definitely one for a mature, voluptuous woman - not young girls.

At first i liked it but afterwards i didn't feel good wearing it and i gave it to my mother who loves it.too sweet and strong for me.

Just as the name implies,"The Sweet Life" this fragrance is just that; How sweet it is!
This sweet, sharp, sophisticated scent makes you feel like you have the world on a string, sitting on a rainbow and ready to engage in the good life. The kickoff of the winsome magnolia performs well with the sweetness of the peach which in turn exudes pure sweet madness. At midpoint, the splendor of cinnamon and apricot have you reeling in sweet luxury with fruity undertones trailing along. The send off keeps this treasure at bay with continued sweetness of the vanilla. With Dolce Vita, sweet dreams are made of this and Dior does not disappoint with this smash hit. The brocade of notes throughout this plush scent makes you feel like you have discovered a sweet fortune to call your own

my husband likes it, though in general he likes very few fragrances. I tried it once, but it was too sweet, powdery and strong for me..however there was some freshness in it. For some reason i found it to be nauseous. But I'm going to try it few more times

I went out today with the purpose of trying this perfume once more after testing it when it first came out and found it didn't suit me. But I am very pleased I gave it another go, WOW what a fabulous and delicious scent. I AM going to put this on my wish list. Love it!

Very luxurious, glamourous and ellegant perfume. It's very sweet and intensive, not for everybody, and for some special occasions... Sometimes I don't like it because I can't stand strong perfumes, but inspite of sweetness, this one has a great amount of ellegance and smells expensive, not cheap like some other sweet perfumes.
My sister has Eau de Dolce Vita and I think it smells better and somehow a bit mildly, which is good cause this one is wonderful but could be too strong for somebody.

This is the only perfume that i bought and rebought and i probably will.
This is a sweet , classy and innocent scent.Perfect for an english tea or may be a day of sailing .This is an all time classic.

Dolce vita it's a timeless perfume, fit great in all the women. Excellent perfume. Spicy and luxury.

All time favorite. I used to wear this in my early 20's. Women were always on me asking me what is that? It's very inticing. Sophisticated. Rich smelling. Sexy. I would love to have another bottle of this. You can't go wrong with Dolce Vita...

this is the ULTIMATE perfume..my God..i remember i was a little girl when my mom had this one..so maybe i`m subjective:) but it`s dry floral exotic clasic..has something..when i think about perfect perfume for a woman..this is THE ONE

yeah, i've just got one. I haven't have it in my hands but my friend tried some and he said she's awesome with long-lasting scent, truly warm and adorable, so i'm so sure that I'd love it, like I've been loving any masterpiece from my beloved brand - Dior. I'm totally pleased with Miss Dior and Dior Addict (1) and now, Dolce Vita's the next treasure to create my "LA DOLCE VITA"