Cabriole by Elizabeth Arden c1977

Launched in 1977, Cabriole by Elizabeth Arden was a fragrance designed to capture the grace, femininity, and vitality of its era. The name “Cabriole,” pronounced cab-ree-ohl, is derived from the French term for a ballet movement—a leap accompanied by a turn of the legs mid-air. This choice of name was both evocative and sophisticated, suggesting elegance, lightness, and a sense of joyous motion. For women of the time, the name “Cabriole” likely conjured images of fluidity and refinement, evoking emotions of aspiration and freedom.

The ballet reference would have resonated particularly well with the 1970s audience, a time when women were embracing more liberated roles and identities, often balancing grace and strength in their personal and professional lives. A perfume named “Cabriole” would have appealed to the modern woman seeking a scent that symbolized this duality—delicate yet confident, traditional yet adventurous.

In terms of its composition, Cabriole was classified as a soft, aldehydic floral fragrance, a popular genre at the time but delivered with Arden’s signature twist. It opened with a bright and fresh green aldehydic burst that immediately captured attention, reminiscent of crisp morning air infused with leafy vitality. The heart of the fragrance bloomed into a bouquet of sweet florals such as rose, jasmine, and lily of the valley, interwoven with sweet spices that added depth and intrigue. This floral heart was balanced by a warm, woodsy, and powdery base, featuring notes like sandalwood, musk, and perhaps a touch of orris, grounding the fragrance in femininity and elegance. The result was an exhilarating blend described by Arden as “flowers and more flowers mixed and mingled with spices and leafy green notes.”

The late 1970s was an era of bold experimentation in fragrance, with many houses introducing rich, complex compositions that reflected the confident, free-spirited ethos of the time. Chypres, spicy orientals, and aldehydic florals were particularly popular, and Cabriole found its niche within this spectrum. While it aligned with the floral trends of the decade, its delicate interplay of green, spicy, and powdery notes gave it a distinctive edge. The name and fragrance together created an image of a woman who moved gracefully through life, exuding an air of elegance and vitality.

Cabriole wasn’t just a perfume; it was a mood—a celebration of femininity in motion, perfectly suited to the evolving tastes and ambitions of the 1970s woman. Through its sophisticated name and composition, Cabriole reflected both the artistry of ballet and the artistry of perfumery, resonating as a timeless expression of grace and freedom.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is a soft, delicate aldehydic floral fragrance for women. It starts with a fresh green aldehydic top, followed by a sweet floral heart spiked with sweet smelling spices , resting on a feminine warm, woodsy, and powdery base. Originally described by Elizabeth Arden as "an exhilarating blend of flowers and more flowers mixed and mingled with spices and leafy green notes."

• Top notes: aldehydes, galbanum, raspberry, bergamot, peach, red apple, green anise, Indian pineapple, hyacinth
• Middle notes: rose, jasmine, honey, cyclamen, magnolia, violet, orris, pimiento, spices, carnation
• Base notes: musk, patchouli, Virginia cedar, sandalwood, oakmoss, vetiver, ambergris, beeswax

Country Life, 1977:

"Another exciting new fragrance arrived in our midst this month when Elizabeth Arden introduced Cabriole, a liquid bouquet of flowers mixed with the quietly dominant note of spice. Although you may not be able to recognise the scent of all the roses, hyacinth, jasmine and magnolia that went into the perfume, the blended result is a deliciously feminine essence that you can also buy asn an eau de toilette."

McCall's, 1977:

"Cabriole from Elizabeth Arden— a delicate network of flowers with a rich touch of vetiver and pimiento."

House Beautiful, Volume 119, 1977:

"Cabriole is Elizabeth Arden's new floral scent, again a marvelous melange of flowers that includes magnolia, carnation, violet and iris. Lest you think that the fragrance is named after a certain style of chair leg, let me explain that you should know of the other definition of the word - the ballet leap that draws applause. Cabriole makes its debut in cologne, more-than-cologne, body lotion and dusting powder, nothing with a big price tag and probably less than a ticket to the ballet."

New York Magazine, 1978:

"...And here is the fragrance that defines her: a melding of flowers and more flowers, mingled with a fresh flourish of spices. We call it- Cabriole, by Elizabeth Arden. Because there's never been a better, more rewarding time to be a woman."

Scent Profile:

Cabriole unfolds with an invigorating burst of aldehydes, their crisp, airy effervescence mingling with the green, resinous sharpness of galbanum. This opening is both vibrant and refreshing, evoking the sensation of stepping into a dewy garden at dawn. The sweetness of ripe raspberry and succulent peach adds a juicy softness, while red apple contributes a playful tartness. 

Bergamot’s bright citrus spark lends a sunlit clarity, tempered by the exotic, herbaceous intrigue of green anise. A hint of Indian pineapple peeks through, adding a tropical, tangy nuance that dances alongside the delicate floral sweetness of hyacinth. Together, these top notes form a harmonious interplay of freshness, fruitiness, and complexity.

As the top notes fade, the heart of Cabriole blooms in full floral glory. The classic richness of rose and jasmine forms the backbone, their heady, romantic aromas enhanced by the honeyed warmth of cyclamen and the creamy softness of magnolia. Violet adds a powdery sweetness, and orris root brings an earthy, velvety depth. 

Carnation and pimiento introduce a spicy edge, their fiery accents cutting through the florals to add intrigue and sophistication. These elements are underscored by a delicate touch of warm honey, which lends the composition a golden, luminous quality, evoking a bouquet that is both lush and spiced.

The base notes anchor Cabriole in a soft, enveloping warmth. Musk provides a clean, skin-like sensuality, while patchouli adds a deep, earthy resonance. Virginia cedar and sandalwood impart a creamy woodiness, their smooth textures balanced by the damp, forest-floor freshness of oakmoss and the grassy, smoky elegance of vetiver. 

Ambergris offers a whisper of salty-sweet warmth, while beeswax lends a subtle, resinous sweetness that ties the composition together. This woodsy, powdery foundation lingers on the skin, creating a finish that is both comforting and alluring.

Cabriole’s progression mirrors a graceful dance: its sparkling, green-fruited opening pirouettes into a rich, floral-spiced heart before gliding into a warm, woodsy finale. Each ingredient plays its part in this delicate ballet, evoking an exquisite balance of elegance, energy, and intimacy. The result is a fragrance that feels timeless yet thoroughly modern, encapsulating the vitality and grace of its name.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.