Building Up a Wardrobe Of Fragrance For Every Occasion

This is something that will primarily depend on personal taste and preferences. I can give a guideline on how I have gone about building a comprehensive wardrobe of fragrance for every occasion, but the choice, ultimately, is yours.

I believe that the minimum amount of fragrance that every woman should have at her disposal should be at least three perfumes; A daytime scent, an evening scent and an alluring scent (for special occasions).

However, if like me, you like to wear a fragrance to suit a mood as well as an occasion then there are no upper limits. Fragrances are as diverse and as complicated as human nature and Mother Nature combined. They can reflect and enhance the way you feel (or want to feel) on any occasion!

It is a well-known fact that you can become very used to the same fragrance if you wear it too often, and will cease to smell and appreciate it. This is another very good reason to vary the fragrance you wear regularly.

I tend not to be too conscious about trend when choosing a perfume; I just buy what I like. But I do find reviews very helpful when choosing a new fragrance, samples/and testers are invaluable too. But also, don't be afraid to stop and ask someone what they are wearing. No one minds being told they smell nice and will happily tell you what fragrance they have on!

If you are unsure about a perfume, by the smallest size you can find – i.e. 40ml (1.3Fl.Oz). Although buying the larger sizes is often the cheaper in the long run, it is best to try a smaller size initially if a perfume is new to you. Once you have established that you like a perfume, don't hesitate in buying the 100ml (3.4Fl.Oz) to 125 ml (4.2 Fl.Oz) sizes, it is more cost-effective. You will be amazed how quickly a "favourite" can be used up, even if you do wear other fragrances.

Always buy through a respected retailer to ensure that you are getting quality stock that is in-date.

Perfumes need to be stored out of direct sunlight and sharp temperature fluctuations. I actually keep mine on the top shelf of by wardrobe, in the dark. It may seem a shame to do this, as some bottles are so beautifully designed and should be on display, but if you are not likely to finish a perfume within six months from purchase, then you need to take steps to ensure that it remains in good condition. A sure sign that a fragrance is beginning to oxidise is that its colour will darken (time to use it up, fast!)

I have simply categorised my perfume wardrobe into three simple groups:

daywear,
evening wear,
"all-rounders" (by this, I mean a fragrance that can be worn anytime, anyplace).

This may sound a simplistic way of categorising fragrances, but within each of these three simple groupings is a fragrance to suit any occasion and mood. It also makes finding a suitable fragrance very easy, especially first thing in the morning before work and faced with over 20 different fragrances to choose from!

I make a quick choice of what fragrance to wear, based on a couple of criteria:

How do I feel?
What am I doing that day (at work, in meetings, on holiday, going out)?
The season/weather?

It's pretty much the same as choosing what clothes to wear that day (but easier, if you ask me)!

So, what to include in a fragrance wardrobe? Well, as I have said, the choice is really yours. But below are some suggestions that I hope may be of assistance when thinking about what to include when looking to build your personal selection of fragrances.

Daywear (at work, in meetings, formal occasions)
In this category you want a selection of fragrances that are light, easy to enjoy, inoffensive and not overpowering. Floral, citrus/fruity and lighter Chypre styles are ideal.

Light Blue – Dolce & Gabbana (floral fruity)
CK One – Calvin Klein (aromatic citrus)
Happy Heart – Clinique (floral chypre)
Touch of Pink – Lacoste (floral fruity)
Simply – Clinique (floral oriental)
Be Delicious – DKNY (floral chypre)
Rush2 – Gucci (woody floral)
Ralph – Ralph Loren (fruity floral)
Beyond Paradise – Estee Lauder (floral bouquet)
Flower – Kenzo (soft floral)

Evening Wear (restaurants, clubs, romantic nights out, wine bars)
Heavier, more sultry and sexy fragrances have their place in this category. Orientals, Chypres and woods are ideal.

Hypnotic Poison – Christian Dior (oriental)
Midnight Poison – Christian Dior (oriental)
Obsession Night – Calvin Klein (floral oriental)
Pour Femme – Dolce & Gabbana (chypre floral)
Coco Chanel – (spicy oriental)
212 Sexy – Carolina Herrera (oriental floral)
Very Irrestible Sensual – Givenchy (woody floral)
Intense – Hugo Boss (woody oriental)

All-Rounders (any occasion)
Classic fragrances that lend themselves to any mood and occasion.

Miss Dior – Christian Dior (Chypre)
Chance - Chanel (chypre floral)
No 5 – Chanel (floral)
Romance – Ralph Loren (soft floral)
Amour – Kenzo (woody floral)
Woman – Hugo Boss (fruity floral)
Red Door – Elizabeth Arden (floral oriental)
Sunflowers – Elizabeth Arden (ozone floral)
Gucci – Gucci (chypre floral)
Eternity – Calvin Klein (floral oriental)

I could go on and on, as there are hundreds of fragrances available, so these are merely a few suggestions based on my personal preferences.

Don't be afraid to experiment and try fragrances you would not normally wear. Give them time to settle and "dry-down" on the skin. And above all, enjoy them!

About the author
Debbie Cave works in Quality Assurance for a large home improvement retailer. She lives in Hampshire with her partner and dog. Amongst numerous interests and hobbies, Debbie has held a lifelong love of fine fragrance and hopes to be able to share some of that passion with Perfume Fairy readers.