Yardley London 1987 EDC

F ££ Acquired

Black Velvet

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Yardley London Black Velvet is a Cologne launched in 1987. Black Velvet opens with Fruity Notes, settles into a heart of Floral Notes, and dries down to a base of Musk, Amber, and Oakmoss. Yardley London's Black Velvet carries an Acquired verdict, a fruity-led wear.

A divisive blast from the past, Black Velvet is a proper chypre. You'll either love its retro charm or find it a bit much, but it certainly doesn't blend in.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Classic
  • Bold
  • Mysterious
  • Sophisticated
  • Elegant
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Black Velvet Cologne bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend
Topas listed
Fruity Notes100%
Heartas listed
Floral Notes100%
Baseas listed
Amber33%
Musk33%
Oakmoss33%

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring

Its floral, mossy and earthy composition leans towards spring.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Formal
Also Works:
Date

Its historical and bold chypre character makes it less suitable for everyday office wear, but its elegance and maturity lend themselves well to formal events and evening dates. The scent profile is not aligned with casual, sporty activities.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

  • Oakmoss Evernia prunastri extract from Oakmoss

Other declarable allergens

  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

Ethics and formulation

We report other people's certifications, never our own. Every claim links to its source.

  • Cruelty-free Brand-stated Yardley London says so · no third-party certification found · Read the claim

Certification covers a brand's whole range. Part-range claims show on the brand page.

About

Black Velvet opens with a complex, almost overwhelming bouquet of floral and fruity notes, a true 80s powerhouse. This quickly settles into a rich mossy heart, heavy with oakmoss and earthy tones, giving it a grounding, slightly damp forest feel. As it dries down, a classic powdery warmth emerges, underscored by a musky-amber base that provides a lingering, surprisingly soft finish to an otherwise bold fragrance.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Black Velvet Cologne - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Black Velvet Cologne - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom ·

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.