5 Fragrance Etiquette Mistakes To Avoid
The human body can detect up to 10,000 unique scents, so there is plenty of room to fail the sniff test when just one of those scents is wrongly applied for a whole host of reasons, which we'll come to very shortly.
Why we wear fragrances
Scents, fragrances, and perfumes have a huge impact on the way we feel; the olfactory system is the most closely linked to memory. How we feel, what we remember, and who we want to be are all affected by what we smell and how we smell to others. The beauty of fragrances is that we can directly control that.
Unlike clothing, where budget can hugely determine quality and longevity, fragrances are priced very competitively, and it’s rare that spending £300 or more on a bottle is going to guarantee you a nicer and longer-lasting scent than a bottle one fifth of the price. You can have almost all of the right fragrances for every occasion for less than £100. It’s all about which one you choose and why.
A person's fragrance should do much the same job for them as their tailor or hairdresser: complement them quietly, enhance their presence, and never enter a room several seconds before they do. Avoid these five common fragrance faux-pas, and you'll be just fine.
1. Not wearing what you actually enjoy
Fragrance is deeply personal. If rich, syrupy gourmand scents leave you feeling sick, there is little point forcing yourself into them simply because they happen to be fashionable this season.
The best fragrance is one that feels entirely at home on your skin. Much like a favourite jacket or well-worn watch, it should feel like a natural extension of your taste rather than a costume borrowed from somebody else's wardrobe. Once you've established what suits your tastes, the next consideration is how you happen to feel on the day.
2. Not having variety for your moods
Variety, not Dior Sauvage, is the spice of life. You don't want to be that person who becomes known for only ever wearing that one fragrance for all occasions. The purpose of fragrance is ultimately to make you feel more polished, self-assured, and comfortable in your own skin. Mood plays a significant role in that equation. Naturally, however, personal preference should be balanced against practical considerations, which brings us neatly to the question of occasion.
3. Not considering the time and place
As with clothing, context matters. You would not arrive at a casual coffee meeting dressed for a state banquet (even I wouldn't!). Fragrances have the same level of thought and suitability.
A subtle, clean scent is often better suited to the office or a job interview than something intensely smoky or overtly seductive. The goal is to ensure your fragrance supports the occasion rather than becoming the main event. Of course, even the most appropriate fragrance can become problematic if applied with excessive enthusiasm...
4. You over-spray
What is the right amount? The one clear answer we can dare write down here is simply – not too much. We all know what too much is. It's the amount when sitting near somebody (on a train or in the car) feels choking.
Don't worry about not being able to smell your own scent after a couple of hours, your nose is just used to it. It's not a warrant to spray more. It's like when you cannot smell your own home, but when a visitor enters they comment on how lovely the house smells.
Fragrance Event Guide
Job Interview / Formal Dinners
Little to no fragrance at all
(0-1 spray)
Semi Formal Events
Nothing too invasive
(2-3 sprays)
Casual / All day
Whatever you feel like most
(3-5 sprays)
5. You spray on the wrong spots
Some can live with the idea of spraying a fragrance on their clothes a bit sometimes, but it's generally not the best idea. It will make the scent last longer, yes, but that means it will stick to your clothing longer.
Spray closely, not from a distance, and certainly not some mist in the air that you walk through. Spray the neck two or three times, and one on each wrist, and never rub them together (this breaks down the molecules in the formula).
Spraying your clothes might interfere with the fragrance you choose to spray next time, so best to avoid it.
Don't offend people's olfactory system
Although fragrance is undoubtedly a form of self-expression, it is also part of your interaction with the people around you. A pleasant scent can leave a memorable impression, for better or for worse.
Good fragrance etiquette requires a degree of consideration. Shared offices, crowded trains, intimate dinners, and enclosed spaces all call for consideration beyond your own self-expression.