
Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist is a popular perfume with a distinctive scent. It was first released in 1994 and has been inducted into the Fragrance Foundation's Fragrance Hall of Fame. Its top notes include Italian bergamot, lily of the valley, and orchid flowers, while its base notes include sandalwood, amber, and musk. The perfume has been described as powdery and musky, with a sweetness that reminds some wearers of baby powder or baby shampoo. While some reviewers have called it a timeless and classic fragrance, others have associated it with older women, describing it as something an older woman would wear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Positive |
| Fragrance Notes | Lily of the Valley, Moroccan Jasmine, Orchid Flowers, Heliotrope, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Amber, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Suede Accord, Bergamot |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Floral, Musk |
| Fragrance Longevity | Long-lasting |
| Fragrance Age Group | Older women |
| Best Season to Wear | Winter |
| Price | $78 for 1.0oz/30ml, $130 for 3.4oz/100ml |
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What You'll Learn

Cashmere Mist: a scent for older women?
Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan is a divisive fragrance. While some wearers describe it as "warm and classic", others liken it to "cheap, dollar store perfume". The scent, which was first released in 1994, is described as "powdery" and "musky", with notes of Moroccan jasmine, lily of the valley, and sandalwood.
The fragrance has been inducted into The Fragrance Foundation’s Fragrance Hall of Fame, and is described by the brand as "an iconic scent of self-indulgence". It was created to evoke the feel of cashmere against bare skin.
Despite its popularity, some wearers have described Cashmere Mist as a scent for older women. One review on Fragrantica states that the perfume smells like a wealthy older woman, while another says that it reminds them of their aunt. Similarly, a review on ScentBox says that the fragrance is "pushing 'old lady'", and that it smells like "something an older woman would wear".
However, it's important to note that other wearers of the fragrance disagree with this assessment, and that the scent has been relaunched with a modern twist, featuring top model Imaan Hammam as its face. In an interview, Hammam said that the campaign "celebrates [the fragrance's] history while introducing it to a new audience".
Ultimately, whether or not Cashmere Mist is considered a scent for older women is subjective, and will vary depending on individual preferences and associations.
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Notes of jasmine, lily, and vanilla
Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist is a fragrance that has been described as "an older scent", with some deeming it more suitable for older women. The perfume, which was inducted into The Fragrance Foundation's Fragrance Hall of Fame in 2019, is an intoxicating sheer floral fragrance with base notes of vanilla, amber, and musk.
The perfume's key notes include top notes of lily of the valley, middle notes of jasmine, and base notes of vanilla and sandalwood. The jasmine and lily notes in Cashmere Mist are complemented by the addition of Moroccan jasmine and lily of the valley, which are also key notes in the perfume's olfactory family: Amber Floral.
The combination of jasmine and lily is a popular one in perfumery, with many fragrances featuring this floral duo. For example, the Lily Jasmine Eau de Parfum by Fresh is a floral fragrance featuring notes of jasmine sambac, spring muguet, and lavender. This scent is described as "wild" and "optimistic", encapsulating the essence of new beginnings. Similarly, the Chanel No.22 is a floral fragrance with notes of white roses, jasmine, tuberose, lily of the valley, lilac, and orange blossom.
Vanilla is also a common note in fragrances, often adding a sweet and creamy element to the scent. For instance, the Vanille Passion by Comptoir Sud Pacifique is a vanilla-centric fragrance with notes of vanilla, orris, vetiver, and sandalwood. The base notes of this perfume are described as exotic and woody, conjuring images of a tropical rainforest.
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The fragrance's history and popularity
Cashmere Mist is a fragrance created by Donna Karan and launched in 1994. It is an iconic scent that evokes the feel of cashmere against bare skin. The perfume is known for its soft, warm, and floral notes, including Moroccan jasmine, lily of the valley, and orchid flowers, with a base of sandalwood, amber, and musk. The scent is housed in an award-winning bottle designed by Donna Karan's late husband, sculptor Stephan Weiss, which reflects the feminine curves of a woman's back.
Over the years, Cashmere Mist has gained a reputation as a timeless and classic fragrance. While some consider it a scent that appeals to older women, others find it sophisticated and elegant, suitable for everyday wear. The fragrance has stood the test of time and continues to be produced and sold, with a recent relaunch campaign in 2025 fronted by model Imaan Hammam, aiming to introduce it to a new audience while celebrating its history.
The fragrance has received mixed reviews, with some praising its softness, femininity, and longevity, while others find it too powdery or musky for their taste. However, it has gained a loyal following, with many customers considering it a signature scent that is suitable for all occasions and seasons.
Cashmere Mist has been described as a "true icon" and has earned its place in the Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame in 2019. It is known for its sensuality, comfort, and timelessness, appealing to those seeking a sophisticated and classic fragrance. The scent's popularity has endured for decades, with many customers having a sentimental connection to it.
Overall, Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan is a well-known and beloved fragrance that has stood the test of time. While it may be associated with older women for some, it has also found a new audience with its recent relaunch, showcasing its enduring appeal and versatility across generations.
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The campaign's modern twist
Donna Karan New York relaunched its Cashmere Mist fragrance with a new campaign featuring top model Imaan Hammam. The campaign, photographed by Swedish fashion photographer Mikael Jansson, gives the classic fragrance a contemporary twist.
The campaign was co-created by Trey Laird, who said it is a tribute to the "spirit" of the original. "We revisited the Stockholm Archipelago, where the first Cashmere Mist campaign was shot over 30 years ago, capturing that same ethereal, sensual beauty but with a modern lens," he said.
The new campaign reflects the modern woman's desire for timeless scents that provide both comfort and sensuality. Cashmere Mist, with its soft, feminine, and floral notes, embodies this desire. The fragrance, housed in a dramatic glass vessel, evokes the feel of cashmere against bare skin.
Imaan Hammam, the face of the new campaign, embodies the timeless spirit of Donna Karan New York. She told WWD, "This is a fragrance with a true legacy, one that has been loved for generations. To represent a scent that has earned its place in the Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame is incredibly exciting. I love that this campaign celebrates its history while introducing it to a new audience."
The campaign for Cashmere Mist successfully blends the classic fragrance's essence with a modern twist, appealing to a new generation of women seeking timeless elegance and sensuality in their scent choices.
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Cashmere Mist compared to other perfumes
Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan is a popular perfume with a distinctive scent. It combines floral notes of Moroccan jasmine and lily of the valley with a warm base of sandalwood, amber, and musk. It is designed to evoke the feel of cashmere on a woman's skin, and it is described as a soft, feminine, and classy fragrance.
Some people compare the scent of Cashmere Mist to baby powder or baby shampoo, giving it an old-fashioned or "old lady" vibe. One person said it reminded them of their abusive ex, while another said it was too powdery and not exciting enough. However, others describe it as a "great scent" that is "not too strong or too weak, just right". Many people praise its longevity, saying that it lasts longer than other perfumes and can still be smelled after 6 hours.
Similar perfumes to Cashmere Mist include Clinique's Happy Cashmere and Cocoa, which is described as having a great longevity when sprayed on clothes and hair, and the new Donna Karan Cashmere & Palo Santo, which is an incredible cashmere vanilla fragrance. Another similar scent is Fall Cashmere by Skylar, which is a cheap but gently and subtly sweet fragrance. For those who like musk, Nemat Amber and Nemat Vanilla Musk Oil are good options, with the latter described as very soft and powdery but not too sweet.
While some people find Cashmere Mist too powdery or old-fashioned, others love its soft, feminine, and classy scent. It has stood the test of time and is considered a timeless, sophisticated, and easygoing fragrance that can be worn anywhere, year-round.
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Frequently asked questions
Cashmere Mist is a popular fragrance that has been around for almost three decades. While some people associate it with older women, others disagree. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference whether someone considers it an older woman's fragrance or not.
Cashmere Mist is described as having a sweet, woody, powdery scent. It is said to smell like baby powder, luxury baby products, or even a mouldy cashmere sweater. The fragrance is inspired by the feel of cashmere upon a woman's skin and combines the essences of Moroccan jasmine, lily of the valley, and the freshness of bergamot, with a warm background of sandalwood, amber, vanilla, cedarwood, patchouli, and musk.
Cashmere Mist was created by Donna Karan and launched in 1994. The bottle was designed by her late husband, sculptor Stephan Weiss, and evokes the curve of a woman's back.
Cashmere Mist is available at Macy's, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Amazon. It can also be found on subscription services like ScentBox.
The 1.0oz/30ml bottle costs $78, while the 3.4oz/100ml bottle costs $130.











































