Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
From the nostalgic Dream eau de parfum to the brand-new Harmony scent, we tried them all
It’s more than fair to say that in recent years, the Gap has set the standard for success among its competitors as one of the most popular “ mall brands ” worth shopping. While the Gap has been in existence since the late ‘60s, designer Zac Posen’s appointment as executive vice president and creative director in 2024, along with several high-profile collaborations with stars like Victoria Beckham and Hailey Bieber since, have helped propel the company further into the zeitgeist.
Of course, the Gap is largely regarded as a fashion brand. But those old enough to remember the first iteration of the company’s viral Happy Stripe sweater might also recall their original fragrance collection from 1994. Initially launched as an entry point into the beauty industry, Gap Beauty’s accessible and personalizable approach to scent felt extremely inclusive and nuanced for the time. Consisting of beloved blends such as Grass and Dream, the line was highly popular with consumers before its discontinuation in the early 2000s. But today, Gap Beauty is officially back after a 30-year hiatus, with a new fragrance collection that’s actually better than ever.
“Gap has a real opportunity in beauty, and fragrance is where that story starts,” says Deb Redmond, head of beauty at Gap Inc. “We were rigorous about the technical journey, maintaining the core DNA of the original scents while modernizing the formulations for how people actually wear fragrance today. Gap has always made quality feel within reach. This collection is that same commitment, applied to beauty.”
Similar to Gap Beauty’s fragrance line from the ‘90s, this new drop features several familiar scents that are reimagined for the present day, including the floral Dream , solar Heaven , fresh and vibrant Grass , and woody Om eau de parfums. And to round out the latest collection, Gap worked closely with DSM-Firmenich perfumers Honorine Blanc and Nicole Mancini to develop the playful gourmand scent, Harmony . Another point of difference between the original line and the new launch? The O.G. versions were released as eau de toilettes, while this eau de parfum line is much longer lasting, featuring a 20 percent concentration of scent.
Ready to round out your fragrance wardrobe? Keep reading for a closer look at the new Gap Beauty fragrance collection.
“I can’t say I remember what the original Dream smelled like, although I must have smelled it at one point. But what I can say is that this version smells like a ‘mall perfume’ in the best way, and I mean that as the highest compliment. By mall perfume, I mean the freezing cold smell of a retail store from the early aughts. Bergamot, jasmine, and cedarwood are three of my favorite notes, so it’s no surprise that I love this. It’s so easy to wear, easy to layer, and almost impossible to dislike.” — Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director
Closest to its original scent, Dream eau de parfum is a floral musk that opens with a jasmine note straight out of the bottle before blooming on the skin with freesia and orange blossom accords. “Everybody loved this fragrance, so I needed to stay close to the original but add something new,” explained master perfumer Honorine Blanc during a press preview of the fragrance collection.
“We wanted to make the…