Dreaming With Ghosts
This release from independent perfumer Mark Buxton suits fragrance fans looking for a leather scent with a softer, sweeter character. Rather than heavy smoke or harsh birch tar, it pairs a crisp quince opening with delicate peony and gentle, buffed leather. The sweet vanilla and dry vetiver beneath provide comfort without overpowering the room. It feels best suited for cool autumn afternoons and crisp spring days, especially in relaxed social settings, art spaces, or casual daytime outings. Anyone tired of standard spicy winter scents or generic fresh colognes will appreciate its playful balance. Because community opinion splits around its unique sweetness, it rewards those who sample before purchasing a full bottle.
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Performance Metrics
682 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Community ratings place performance in the moderate range, with 46 votes for 3 to 6 hours of longevity and 46 votes for moderate sillage. A smaller group of 19 voters notes long lasting wear, while projection remains within arm's length before softening.
Notes Pyramid
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The scent profile opens with tart quince and herbal marigold, leading into a heart of smooth leather and floral peony. It dries down to an earthy vetiver and sweet vanilla foundation, creating a sweet, fruity, and aromatic leather character.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDLeading with sweet, floral, and fruity accords, the fragrance begins bright and playful. As wear progresses, aromatic leather and fresh herbal tones take over, finally resting on balsamic vanilla and earthy vetiver that linger quietly close to the skin.
Community Data
773 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and spring. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Distinct combination of tart quince and gentle leather
Approachable and smooth leather accord that avoids harsh smoke
Comfortable moderate sillage suitable for shared indoor spaces
Versatile transition scent ideal for autumn and spring days
Playful opening that stands out from typical leather perfumes
Balanced dry-down supported by earthy vetiver and vanilla
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Longevity is moderate, typically lasting 3 to 6 hours
Sweet fruit opening can feel polarizing for leather purists
Price is considered high by several community voters
Projection drops close to the skin after the first two hours
Not suited for hot summer days due to its sweet profile
Unconventional scent requires sampling before buying a full bottle
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Dreaming With Ghosts by Mark Buxton: A Quirky Fruity Leather”
Dreaming With Ghosts by Mark Buxton opens with an eccentric flash that immediately sets it apart from standard leather releases. The first spray delivers a mouthwatering burst of tart quince combined with the bitter, herbal edge of marigold. This produces a bright, sweet opening that some wearers describe as reminiscent of pink bubblegum or fruit compote. It is energetic and sweet without being heavy, catching attention through its uncommon fruit profile.
As the opening fruit calms, the heart transitions into a softer landscape of leather and peony. Rather than a smoky biker jacket, the leather here feels supple, pale, and buffed, cushioned by the petals of peony. Further into the wear, the base emerges with earthy vetiver and smooth vanilla. These base elements add warmth and structure, keeping the sweetness grounded and lending a slightly dusty, bookish warmth to the final skin scent.
Throughout the day, the scent behaves like a dialogue between bright fruit and polished leather. The sweet, fruity, and floral accords dominate the first hour before receding into an aromatic leather layer. On warmer skin, the vanilla becomes more pronounced, while cooler air highlights the dry grassiness of vetiver and the green marigold facet. It avoids becoming syrupy because the leather keeps a steady, moderating presence underneath.
In terms of performance, community votes place this scent largely in the moderate category. Most wearers report getting between 3 and 6 hours of longevity, with 46 voters rating it moderate and 19 finding it long lasting. Projection sits comfortably at an arm's length, verified by 46 moderate sillage votes. It projects politely for about 90 minutes before drawing closer to the body. This moderate footprint makes it well suited for daytime wear, casual office environments, and weekend outings in autumn or spring.
This scent suits adventurous perfume wearers who enjoy sweet fragrances with unexpected texture. Although categorized as unisex, community sentiment leans slightly feminine due to the sweet fruit and floral pairing. Fans of independent perfumery looking for a playful daytime leather will find plenty to appreciate here. Conversely, those seeking a rugged, dark, or deeply animalic leather should skip it, as should anyone sensitive to sugary top notes.
Ultimately, Dreaming With Ghosts offers a refreshing twist on modern leather perfumery. Mark Buxton demonstrates how fruit and hide can mingle without feeling disjointed. It is not an everyday blind buy, but it remains an engaging composition that deserves a test run on a crisp autumn morning.
FAQs
What does Dreaming With Ghosts smell like?+
Dreaming With Ghosts smells like tart quince and green marigold blended with smooth leather, peony, and a base of vetiver and vanilla. The opening has a bright, sweet fruitiness that wearers often compare to bubblegum. As it develops, the leather and earthy vetiver emerge to create a refined balance between fruit and hide.
How long does Dreaming With Ghosts last?+
Dreaming With Ghosts typically lasts between 3 and 6 hours on skin. In community voting, 46 users voted for moderate longevity, while 19 found it long lasting. Because the top notes of quince and marigold soften relatively quickly, the subtle leather and vanilla base carries the later hours of wear.
Is Dreaming With Ghosts for men or women?+
Dreaming With Ghosts is marketed as a unisex fragrance, though community votes lean slightly toward the feminine side. In gender voting, 45 voters classified it as unisex, while 42 voted for female or more female. The sweet floral and fruity notes provide a softer presence than traditional masculine leathers.
What seasons are best for wearing Dreaming With Ghosts?+
Dreaming With Ghosts performs best during autumn and spring. Community votes heavily favor fall with 100 votes and spring with 84 votes. The crisp air of transitional weather highlights the tart fruit and aromatic marigold, while keeping the sweet leather and vanilla from turning overly dense.
Is Dreaming With Ghosts suitable for office and work wear?+
Yes, Dreaming With Ghosts is polite enough for office settings when applied moderately. With 46 community votes supporting moderate sillage and 16 finding it intimate, it does not fill a room aggressively. Its soft peony and smooth leather create a professional yet distinctive aroma that remains courteous to coworkers.
How strong is the leather note in Dreaming With Ghosts?+
The leather in Dreaming With Ghosts is smooth, clean, and subtle rather than smoky or aggressive. It acts as a grounding middle note alongside peony instead of a heavy, tarry biker jacket hide. Wearers who usually find leather fragrances overpowering will find this treatment gentle, approachable, and well blended.
What perfumes are similar to Dreaming With Ghosts?+
Reviewers note similarities to Louis Vuitton Sur la Route, though Dreaming With Ghosts is softer and sweeter. While both feature leather, this composition relies on tart quince, marigold, and peony rather than sharp citrus. Those looking for comparable lightness in leather might also consider Memo Paris Eau de Memo.
Is Dreaming With Ghosts worth the price?+
Dreaming With Ghosts represents fair value for niche perfume enthusiasts, though performance makes some consider it pricey. Community feedback shows 33 voters rating the value as ok, while 24 consider it overpriced. If you value quirky artistry over beast-mode longevity, the unique formulation justifies the purchase.
Is Dreaming With Ghosts a safe blind buy?+
No, Dreaming With Ghosts is not a safe blind buy due to its unconventional sweet and fruity opening. Community reviews note facets ranging from bubblegum to cocoa and old paper. Because personal skin chemistry significantly affects the balance between quince and leather, testing a sample first is strongly recommended.
Should Dreaming With Ghosts be worn during the day or at night?+
Dreaming With Ghosts is primarily a daytime fragrance. Community voting clearly reflects this preference, with 86 votes for day wear compared to 32 for night. The bright, cheerful quince and airy floral notes feel far more natural in sunlight than in formal evening environments.
Rankings
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More from Mark Buxton
24 FRAGRANCESThe house's most-rated releases, to compare Dreaming With Ghosts with its siblings.
Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREWhile there are few exact duplicates, wearers frequently compare Dreaming With Ghosts to Louis Vuitton Sur la Route, which shares citrus and leather nuances but leans more masculine and crisp. Tom Ford Tuscan Leather offers an alternative for those wanting darker smoke and raspberry rather than bright quince, while Memo Paris Eau de Memo provides an equally lighthearted leather centered around green tea.
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