A Fragrance for Every Occasion

Perfume might sound like an easy thing to buy, until you see the selection out there. Scents are like any other accessory to an outfit, and have a time and a place where they'll fit best. Instead of scanning an extensive inventory and making a guess, learn more about what types of perfumes there are first to point yourself in the right direction. Once you have that kind of information, you can start to match the scent to how and when you personally plan on wearing it.

Perfumes and colognes can usually fit into one of six smell categories. Each one of these has its own distinctive aroma and generally lend themselves to specific occasions:

Daytime/Work
For professional needs, consider something clean and light from the Floral family. By far the most popular, floral perfume is exactly what it sounds like. Blends of jasmine, roses, and many others combine to form unique scent combinations that are the biggest favorite for the masses. Florals can range from very light to very strong, so choose accordingly. One in the middle of the road is Armani Acqua Di Gio.

Date Night
Sweet and earthy are the interesting mixture for the group with the equally interesting name. Derived from the French word for “Cypress,” it got its name when a French explorer concocted the scent based on his experience on the island of Cypress. Pronounced “ship-ruh,” its unique perfume blend comes from bergamot, patchouli and citrus commonly. This category can be fairly versatile, good for mixing in casual and formal settings, you might want to look at Giorgio Red for Women if this interests you.

Casual
Look to citrus for this occasion. These sharp and fruity aromas usually have hints of yummy fruits like lemon and tangerine without being too overpowering. They're the perfect fit for everyday wear, if you want to smell pleasant but not necessarily like perfume of any specific kind. TryCalvin Klien One for this.

Vacation
The type of climate you're considering for your vacation is key to helping you pick the perfect scent. If you're heading to someplace cooler and woodsy, consider something from the Green perfume family. Generally sharp and clean, these scents tend to evoke an outdoorsy feel thanks to the common blends of herbs and juniper in the formulas. These brisk and bold scents are good for a bold scent in a nature or sporting environment. It's the perfect thing to throw in your suitcase for the next camping trip, or your overnight bag for a camping excursion to the mountains. (Especially if showers are scarce!)

If you're going somewhere tropical and warm, consider taking along your Citrus perfume option instead. You'll blend right into the beautiful scenery!

Black tie/Formal Affair
Spicy and exotic, Oriental perfumes are very distinctive and great for a sensual date or formal affair. The rich musk is perfect for chillier seasons as well, evoking a feeling of warmth and sensuality.Great examples of this are Sheer Obsession by CK and Shalimar by Guerlain

For the Men
Another French term, Fougere actually means “fern.” This strong scent category is really more common with colognes, denoting a masculine air that comes from the moss-like overtones they employ. You will find the occasional female perfume that fits into this category, but largely this is what a man will want to put on before work or a date.

Now that you know the kinds of perfumes, there are still other factors which can help you narrow down your scent accessory for your particular occasion. Perfumes work with your body's natural chemistry, and will usually be stronger in humid conditions, or those where you might sweat a little. Keep this in mind when you're shopping during different seasons. Wintertime means it will be dry and cooler, so you can easily get away with something a little more heady like a stronger floral or an oriental scent. In hotter weather, particularly paired with humidity, your scent can be magnified, making something like a citrus perfume a great match.

The last thing you'll probably notice on your own when you shop is that there are different concentrations of perfumes. These are based on the proportion of oil to the entire perfume's composition; in other words, how concentrated the scent is. Their names might sound somewhat mysterious, so here are the basics to cut the confusion:

• Eau de Cologne or Cologne: 2 – 5% Oil
• Eau de Toilette: 4 – 10% Oil
• Eau de Parfum: 8 – 15% Oil
• Parfum or Perfume: 15 – 25 % Oil

Trying to pick a perfume might seem daunting, but like any other accessory, once you know what you're looking for it's not quite so mysterious. Understanding what group fits you best, the occasion and time of year, combined with the appropriate concentration will put you on the right path to picking your best-scented accessory.