Burberry London Special Edition For Women Review: A Love Letter to a Rain-Kissed City
More than a fragrance, it's the feeling of a city wrapped in a cashmere scarf.
There are fragrances, and then there are moments captured in a bottle. Scents that do more than just smell pleasant; they transport you. They wrap around you like a familiar embrace, whispering stories of places you’ve been or places you dream of going. For me, Burberry London Special Edition for Women is one of those rare, transportive treasures. It’s not just a perfume; it’s the feeling of a crisp autumn afternoon in London, the gentle patter of rain on cobblestones, and the cozy warmth of a cashmere scarf pulled up to your chin. It’s a fleeting moment of beauty, made all the more precious because, like the special edition it is, it was never meant to last forever.
Let''s take a walk back, shall we? The original Burberry London for Women, launched in 2006, was an instant classic. It was a bold, beautiful white floral that perfectly encapsulated the brand’s modern British identity. It was the scent of a confident, chic Londoner navigating the bustling city. Then, as brands often do with their pillars, Burberry began to play. They released limited editions, little olfactory postcards that offered a new perspective on the original masterpiece. This particular Special Edition, which I believe is the 2008 version, wasn''t a radical reinvention. Instead, it felt like a different time of day, a different mood. It was the original''s romantic, slightly more wistful younger sister.
The concept was simple yet deeply evocative: to capture the unique charm of London in bloom, just after a spring or autumn shower. It’s that magical moment when the air is clean and charged, the colors of the parks are impossibly vivid, and the city feels both fresh and ancient. While the original was a statement, this edition is a whisper. It’s less about the high-energy pulse of Regent Street and more about a quiet stroll through Kensington Gardens, a stolen moment of peace amidst the urban symphony.
In the fragrance community, these special editions are like collector''s items. They are hunted down on resale sites, cherished by those who were lucky enough to grab a bottle during their brief run. This one, in particular, holds a special place because it softened the original''s powerful tuberose and jasmine heart, making it more approachable, more luminous, and dare I say, more poetic. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, the most beautiful things are the ones that don''t shout for attention, but rather, invite you to come closer and listen to their story.
The Nose Behind the Scent
The original creation, which forms the backbone of this special edition, was composed by the masterful duo Dominique Ropion and Jean-Marc Chaillan. Ropion is a living legend in perfumery, known for his technically precise yet emotionally powerful creations like Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady and Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
A bright, sparkling burst of optimism. The grapefruit is juicy and effervescent, lifted by a hint of spicy pink pepper and the tartness of black currant. It''s like the first ray of sun after a morning shower – clean, crisp, and invigorating.
The heart is a romantic, dewy floral bouquet. The initial zestiness softens, allowing a modern, fresh rose and soft peony to bloom on the skin. It doesn''t scream ''floral''; it whispers. It’s elegant, feminine, and has a gentle, watercolor-like quality.
The final phase is a soft, comforting embrace. A clean, skin-like musk blends with a very refined, non-earthy patchouli and a smooth, polished mahogany wood note. It becomes a sophisticated, warm skin scent that feels personal and incredibly chic.
Performance Dashboard
Lasts a solid 5-6 hours on skin, fading into a beautiful, soft whisper. It''s not an all-day beast, but its presence is felt for a full workday or an afternoon out.
Projects moderately for the first 1-2 hours, creating a personal scent bubble of about arm''s length. It''s noticeable without being intrusive.
Leaves a soft, delicate trail. This is a scent that invites people closer rather than announcing your arrival from afar. It''s elegant and understated.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Receives consistent, genuine compliments. It''s more of a ''You smell so lovely'' than a ''What perfume is that?''. It''s widely appealing and very easy to like.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Incredibly elegant and timeless scent profile.
- ✅ A beautiful, fresher take on the classic Burberry London.
- ✅ Versatile for daytime wear across multiple seasons.
- ✅ The bottle design is classic Burberry and looks beautiful on a vanity.
- ✅ Evokes a strong, romantic, and pleasant mood.
- ❌ As a limited edition, it is discontinued and very difficult to find.
- ❌ Performance is moderate, may require reapplication for all-day wear.
- ❌ The price on the secondary market can be inflated due to its rarity.
Price & Value
“For collectors and true lovers of the scent profile, it''s a worthy treasure hunt. For casual buyers, the price for a discontinued item may be steep, but the scent itself is high-quality.”
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women aged 25-55 who appreciate classic, elegant, and romantic floral fragrances.
- Those with a timeless, sophisticated style (the ''trench coat and silk blouse'' aesthetic).
- Admirers of the original Burberry London who want a slightly fresher, more luminous version.
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Anyone seeking a loud, very sweet, or gourmand fragrance.
- Those who prefer bold, avant-garde, or niche scents.
- Individuals looking for a perfume with massive projection and all-day longevity.
The Family
The original 2006 pillar fragrance, a bolder white floral with prominent jasmine and gardenia.
The masculine counterpart, a warm spicy and tobacco scent.
The masculine limited edition counterpart, often released alongside the women''s version.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar elegant, luminous fruity-floral character, though J''adore is more opulent.
Evokes a similar modern, fresh, and slightly powdery floral vibe, with a focus on peony.
Both are clean, romantic, and modern rose-peony florals with a sophisticated, powdery-musk base.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Users note a similar vibe with notes of peony, lily-of-the-valley, and a musky base, capturing the same fresh-floral mood.
While compared more to Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, it hits a similar bright, fresh, fruity-floral spot that fans of the Burberry SE might appreciate for its accessible charm.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
Shares a delicate, fresh, fruity-floral DNA that is both elegant and easy to wear.
A modern, clean rose and musk fragrance that appeals to the same sense of contemporary femininity.
For those who love the floral heart of London and want to explore a more intense, pure white floral experience.
More from Burberry
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple musk fragrance like Juliette Has a Gun''s Not a Perfume to enhance the soft, skin-like drydown.
- A light vanilla scent, such as a vanilla body lotion, to add a touch of creamy sweetness and warmth.
- A soliflore rose perfume like Diptyque''s Eau Rose to amplify the romantic floral heart.
🏆 Final Verdict
Burberry London Special Edition for Women is a beautiful, fleeting piece of olfactory art. It''s for the person who doesn''t need their fragrance to shout but prefers a confident, elegant whisper. It captures the romantic, rain-washed charm of London in a way that is both modern and timeless. While its rarity makes it a collector''s item, the scent itself is the real prize: a perfectly balanced, luminous floral that is effortlessly chic and a true joy to wear. If you ever find a bottle, consider it a lucky day. This is a fragrance to be cherished, a memory of a perfect London afternoon, captured forever in a bottle.