How To Build A Fragrance Wardrobe

More people are getting into fragrances as the growing trend for self care and the demand for luxury items resulted in massive perfume sales over the past years. According to recent data, the global perfume market was valued at over $50 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow even more within the next seven years. Wearing perfume not only makes a person smell good, but it’s also an excellent way to express one’s personality and tastes. Over time, as you continue wearing your signature scent, it becomes part of your identity, and people will come to associate you with your fragrance.

This is why it’s important to wear the right perfume, but doing so can be difficult since you’ll have to consider the weather, the occasion, and even your profession before spritzing on fragrance. But don’t fret — you can build a fragrance wardrobe that’s just right for you. Here’s how to do it.

It’s not unusual for fragrance enthusiasts to have 50 to 300 bottles of perfume in their collection. But if you’re just looking to find beautiful and wearable scents that are suitable for different occasions, you’ll need at least three — one for work, another for casual days, and one for dates and formal occasions. The best way to find a perfume that’s right for you is to go to an actual store and test them on your skin. While testing, see if you can identify the notes of the perfume.

Simply put, notes are the basic elements of a perfume. The top note is the first thing that you’ll smell once you spray a perfume, then after a few minutes, you’ll smell the heart note. Once the liquid dries down on your skin, you’ll be left with the base note. Take your time and allow the perfume to dry completely so you’ll know if you love all the notes in the fragrance. You may also want to get some fragrance samples so you can try them at home.

There are some professions where perfume would be unsuitable, such as healthcare. But in other workplaces, wearing perfume is absolutely fine, as long as it’s not too strong or too sensual. For work, your scent must be barely perceptible, meaning that only you can smell your fragrance and that no one else can smell it. Lightly fragranced body lotions or eau de toilette, which has a low concentration of oils, are appropriate. Instead of gourmand scents like vanilla or strong scents like musk, pick mild and gentle fragrances, such as those with tea notes. Take your pick from tea-based perfumes like Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, Bvlgari Eau The Vert, or Creed Silver Mountain Water.

For weekends and days where you’ll just be running errands, something fresh and clean will be perfect, especially if you’re wearing it on a hot day. Look for fragrances with citrus notes, such as Jo Malone Orange Blossom, Clinique Happy, or Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. Perfumes with ocean notes will work well too, since they’re fresh and uplifting — try Ocean di Gioia by Giorgio Armani or Replica Beach Walk.

No fragrance wardrobe is complete without the one perfume that makes you feel beautiful and special. In other words, you need to have a special occasion perfume which you can wear on dates, formal occasions, weddings, and the like. Chanel, Dior, and Guerlain are all good places to look if you’re searching for a special fragrance. You can also try niche brands such as Parfums de Marly, Roja, or Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Keep in mind that niche perfumes go for more than $300 per bottle though. If you don’t want to splurge on something that you’ll only wear a few times a year, try something more affordable but has decent projection and longevity, such as Kate Spade New York, Issey Miyake Rose & Rose, or Lancome La Vie est Belle.

Wearing perfume can make you feel beautiful and empowered. Consider these tips to build the perfect fragrance wardrobe, and make sure to test fragrances properly so you can choose the right scents for you.