Scents can really set the tone and bring out so many emotions. Just think about it: The perfume you wore in college could make you think of nights out at your favorite dive bar. Or maybe it’s the perfume you wore every day at your first job that makes you nostalgic. And a whiff of a loved one’s signature scent might make you feel comforted in a way.
It’s so easy to use a scent to your advantage to give off a certain vibe. For me, I don’t wear fragrances that much, but when I do, I try to be deliberate with them. So if I’m having a fun summer outdoor brunch with friends, I’ll go for something citrusy and fresh. And if it’s wintertime and I want to feel cozy, I’ll opt for a woodsy, grounded scent. And when I want to feel extra fancy, well, I go for something sophisticated and chic—not too sickly sweet but also not too heady.
One brand I absolutely adore for the times when I want to feel fancy is Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. It was founded by Malle in 2000. The thing that sets it apart from other brands is that it’s a “publishing house,” so the brand sees itself as a publisher to the world’s greatest perfumers and an authority in perfume making. The fragrances are created by different legendary perfume designers, so there is variety in the collection. That means there’s going to be a scent for every taste, whether you like florals or fruits or musks.
My favorite is Portrait of a Lady, which is a go-to fancy fragrance for me. I always feel so grown-up and chic when I wear it. It’s an intoxicating, sumptuous scent that combines the sweetness and femininity of Turkish rose with grounded and woodsy patchouli, sandalwood, and frankincense. It also has middle notes of blackcurrant, raspberry, and clove. Think of it as a total classic scent that you can wear for years as your signature fragrance. I’m obsessed with it.
Take a look at some other noteworthy Frédéric Malle fragrances below—maybe you’ll find your own signature scent here.