How to Match Your Fragrence to Your Look

I once read that Marilyn Monroe would place five drops of Chanel No.5 into her tepid bath water, and spray her sheets with the fragrance before going to sleep. Nothing could be quite so glamorous. Though I'm not quite at the point in my life where I feel experienced enough to wear the iconic scent (though I'm still a big fan of Chanel no.5 L'eau), It's thrilling to know that being at this age means I can get away with experimenting with every scent, note and fragrance combination under the sun. There is plenty of time for trial and error before I have to commit to a scent that will define me for the rest of my life. 
Too dramatic for you? Well, let's be honest, perfume is dramatic. It can change your persona, give you confidence, lure in a man and totally complete every look. 

But how do you find the scent to fit your style? There are so many things to consider including the time of year, the hues and shades you're plan to wear, the time of day and most importantly who you want to be that day. You'll see here the what, why, how for some of my go to scents.

Enjoy.

Sultry & Youthful

The recognizable scent of YSL Black Opium has become not so much a fragrance for me anymore but rather a tether to nights spent with girl friends and the memories I hope will never fade. Within my collection this particular scent has gained the reputation of being the "night out" perfume, which is why I can't help but reach for it when dressed in dark shades and sultry silhouettes. It's a warm and spicy take on a scent dominated by vanilla notes and when paired with smudgy black liner, ripped black skinny jeans and a vintage tee it gives a wiseness to a edgy, youthful look. The scent is equally suited to a memorable night in a college dorm room as it is to a night on the town.

Girly & Sassy

On a fashion heavy day, meaning a day when I'm not just wearing jeans and a tee shirt, I reach for Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay. The scent starts with notes of crisp fruit and is then layered with a touch of saltiness to combat the sweet. It's as if an ocean breeze came off a bay and swept over a field of tart blackberries. With that image in mind, I tend to choose this scent when wearing cool toned colours especially greys, silvers and purples along with more experimental pieces. The beauty of this fragrance is that it doesn't fall under a certain time of year or a certain age. It's rare to find a fruity scent that feels unique and timeless, yet that's exactly what it is. 

Warm & Sophisticated

Tom Ford Orchid Soleil is a brand new edition to my collection but one I've had my eyes (and nose) set on for a while. At first it seemed inherently summery yet once I bought it and wore it a few times I began to notice its extreme warmth and comfort. This is a fragrance that is perfect for summer nights because of it's heady floral base notes and afterthoughts reminiscent of coconut. But when analyzed from a different perspective I envision a cool October day, a fall breeze warmed by the strong Orchid scent. That's what I love so much about this scent, you could wear it with jean shorts and a vintage sweatshirt when you go on that midnight drive to the beach to look at the stars and contemplate the future. I'd also wear it with a warm cashmere knit, a denim skirt and tights for a casual day at school where you never know who you'll meet. 

Need more examples? Something fresh and summary like M.A.C Turquatic is perfect for those beach days when you throw on a pair of jean shorts over a damp bathing suit and a hat just so you look somewhat appropriate to walk and get ice cream. Atelier Cologne's Clémentine California has just the right amount of citrus mixed with freshness to pair beautifully with a girly bardot top for a casual summer coffee date. And finally, something like Jo Malone Wild Bluebell or Elizabeth and James Nirvana White perfectly complement a simple shirt dress because of their initially girly nature (soft floral notes of bluebells or crisp rose notes mixed with pear) though when sniffed a second time they suggest that when it comes to this girl, there is more than meets the eye.

I hope you have a better idea of how to pair a scent to a look now, or at least understand the power of fragrance and it's ability to change an entire persona. Please leave in the comments below some of your favorite fragrances and what you like to wear them with.

Thanks for reading.

-Emily