White Shoulders was launched sometime in the 1940s by Evyan. I’ve read dates from 1943 to 1949. Named after Evelyn Diane Westall, the wife of company owner Dr Walter Langer, White Shoulders was boasted by Evyan to be a prime example of fine American perfumery and everything was strictly produced in USA. It was meant to be the perfume to show that Americans could compete with the best of what was being produced in Europe. White Shoulders’ price was initially set rather high, beginning around $3 at a time when many "fine" perfumes had products beginning at around $1. White Shoulders features top notes of neroli, tuberose and aldehydes; middle notes of gardenia, jasmine, orris, lily of the valley, rose and lilac; and base notes of sandalwood, amber, musk, oakmoss, civet and benzoin.
Over time White Shoulders has remained very popular and is probably one of the most iconic American fragrances. The perfume changed hands when Elizabeth Arden bought Evyan but the peach and lace packaging with the silhouette of a woman remained. It is still available at drugstores although it has gone through many reformulations. This is the fragrance that is currently available for sale.
