Your Perfume Wardrobe

A wardrobe of perfume is just as important as a wardrobe of clothes. Perfume shows who you are. It suits your mood and each season. You wear it to work in understatement, to the opera in luxury. Sometimes you feel whimsical and you combine scents. And no one on the face of this earth can smell like you.

A woman must have classic fragrances, office fragrances, sultry fragrances, morning fragrances, evening fragrances, and modern fragrances. A sample from my own collection:

1. Classic-a bottle of Chanel No.5 is a good bet, even if you think you don’t like the smell. Initially, I wondered why this perfume was so famous considering how awful it smelled. After trying it over a period of time, I understood why it is such a staple. No.5 is mysterious because you cannot put your finger on what is smells like and why it affects you. It smelled of jasmine and staleness to me at first, but after a few hours, the scent warfing up at me became extremely pleasurable and comforting. Everyone will have their own experience with this one, the important thing is to give it time. Wear it over a period of weeks or even months to really get acclimated to its beauty. (photo: Wikipedia)

2. Office-A perfect office perfume is understated but different. It will not be powerful and will no offend, but will maintain an aura of professionalism and polish. Lierre Rose byParfums 06130 is light and original, with a slightly sour rose note and plenty of green ambiance. This will not offend those who have grown tired of the typical rose scent. It is not overpowering and can be applied to the clothes for an airy feel. (photo: Parfums 06130 website)

3. Sultry-One of the best fragrances to come out in recent years is Oriens by Van Cleef and Arpels. It is a sweet bursting concoction with a sensuous drydown of woods and flowers. Very unexpected and lingering. Perfect for going out, a special date, or a long-awaited vacation. (photo: Perfumes UAE website)

4. Morning-Fresh green scents are best from morning. From the time you wake up, your day can be filled with uplifting scent. Keep a bottle of Hermes’ Un Jardin Sur Le Nil and spray yourself upon awakening. The waterlily smell is soothing and the green shoots zest up the mood. This one does not last a long time so you will be ready to layer another scent after you finish your morning routine. (photo: perfumesclub.co.uk)

5. Evening-An evening perfume should be dark and long lasting. It should have the appropriate sweetness and dry down to a woody spice. Les Parfums de Rosine has wonderful rose-based perfumes with a twist. Each perfume has some subtle differing notes which make each creation special. Rose Praline is a soft and sweet rose that tastes like candy, but it is not overwhelming and has a subtle drydown which maintains its presence all night long. Another option is to go for oudh-based scents. Montale is a particularly good bet: try the White Aoud for a feminine spice and Black Aoud if you are daring. (photo: Parfums de Rosine website)

6. Modern-A modern fragrance says sophistication. It is not loud and not particularly fancy. It can be trendy or demure. One good bet is Stella by Stella McCartney. It’s rose is understated and its presence almost ethereal. If you want to stand out, however, go for the always-present Angel by Thierry Mugler. Though it is sometimes difficult to get away with, nothing compares in modernity and lasting power. If applied properly, you will make a statement without ruining the atmosphere.