Source
r/fragrance•
com33

Confused about seasons and fragrances, anyone care to shed some light?

Discussion

Background. My fragrance choices are usually for the night and mostly indoors. My apartment is typically 70ish degrees year around. My clothing doesn’t turn to pastel colors when the whether breaks (typically neutral, minimalist) and while indoors my curtains are usually closed because people can see in. Heck I can’t even tell what season were in sometimes.

  1. I’ve read websites about this topic and they imply that we’re miserable the winter and happy and free in the summer... and our scents should reflect that. Huh?

If I’m watching a film or dinner with my wife, it’s pretty much the same style of drinks and vibe year round.

With this being said, how does one find fragrances that work at night throughout the year? Should I be looking for “fall” and “spring” scents, not to go as extreme as “winter” “summer” scents?

How does one differentiate day and night scents?

I’ve been wearing “blue” aquatic type scents for the day time for decades, and “spicy” scents for the evening at home. I try to stay away from the really dark stuff as it seems like “too much” for late night home use.

Most recent I’ve been drawn to some modern scents that are in the earthy/woody category at Sephora. With citrus up top and woody musk on the bottom. Less towards spicy or sweet/unisex (because it’s reminding me of rum cocktails!).

Any pointers and advice?

Posted Feb 26, 2018, 2:42 PM UTC · edited

1619
acleverpseudonym•

Think of it sort of like choosing food based on seasons. A hearty stew is likely more appealing in cold and rainy weather than it is in hot weather, while a cold glass of lemonade probably sounds better during a heat wave than a cold snap. Similarly, heavy, sweet fragrances are typically more appealing in winter months and fresh, light fragrances more appealing in summer.

"But," you say "I sometimes enjoy hearty soups in summer and I still love ice cold Coke in winter." Similarly, there's no actual problem wearing winter fragrances in summer or summer fragrances in winter, or daytime fragrances at night, etc. The "season" just sort of describes the kind of weather that might make the average person want to reach for that fragrance.

With that being said, be aware that weather and temps have an effect on fragrances. If you're going to wear a heavy, cloying fragrance in summer, spray lightly.

14
com33OP•

This gives some insight as to why someone would reach for something. Do you know of a good resource to help categorize scents? For example, Varvatos Artisan Pure vs Mason Margiela Jazz Club.

2
acleverpseudonym•

Fragrantica maintains a database of fragrances and allows users to vote on this

7
JohannesVanDerWhales•

I would tend to say that something like a bright aquatic is going to come off as summery, while a woodsy oriental is going to come off as wintery, but a lot of it is very subjective.

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1
Pantone877•

For me, lighter, quieter scents that don’t project much are best suited for daytime if you work a typical day job outside the home. You’re in close proximity to other coworkers and don’t want to drown them as you work alongside them.

Evening scents are things that are typically louder or more bold. They’re for going out somewhere, usually for entertainment or socialization in an open public space. There’s more room for your scent to spread out and you don’t risk offending someone you need to work beside for the next 5-10 years.

If you’re just sitting on a couch at home it probably doesn’t matter.

As for seasons, there’s no rules and you can do whatever you want. But I think a lot of people wear fragrances that match seasonal activities or themes. I tend to wear fresh, aquatic, or tropical scents in warm weather and lean towards spices, vanilla, and warm ambers in the colder weather.

If it’s cold outside, I want to feel warm and cozy. If it’s hot outside, I like cool refreshing scents. Much like I don’t drink frozen margaritas in February or hot chocolate in July. But then I live in a part of the world that has four distinct seasons so that’s a part of it.

3
BloodyNobody•

For one thing, wearing less (e.g. no coat, sweatshirt, etc) can result in more projection. Resulting in quite a cloud if you sprayed yourself generously with something more suitable for cool weather. 8 sprays of Boss Bottled Intense EdP or Lalique Encre Noire in 90F weather, for example.

You can wear anything during any season, really, as long as you adjust your sprays.

2
thekeanu•

Winter: cold air makes projection a lot weaker so typically it can be pointless to wear light scents.

Summer: extra sweet and spicy scents can become cloying at higher temps since high body heat increases projection and especially density of ths scent. Imagine a hot summer day and ppl around u are wearing scents heavy in cinnamon and super sweet (like 1 million). Everyone will be choked out and feel gross. That's why lighter and fresher scents are worn in summer.

2
com33OP•

Makes sense. So what about something like Terre’D Hermes at night lounging around the house with the lady. Oxymoron?

1
elijha•

How would that be an oxymoron? Seems like a perfectly decent way to wear it.

1
com33OP•

Because it’s cool at night!

1
elijha•

Right and TdH is a fragrance for cool weather

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com33OP•

What about some fragrances like JV Artisan https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/John-Varvatos/Artisan-5534.html

Top is orange/citrus, then ginger and woods. How do we know where it falls?

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Cameltotem•

Imagine this. You are at beach and its super hot. Do you drink a coffee or an ice cold coke.

1
com33OP•

Understood. However, If i'm in my home from Saturday-Sunday, in a climate controlled 74 degrees, windows shut, would it matter?

1
Cameltotem•

Yeah that's the thing. Say a winter heavy scent like LADDM or Royal oud.

Nothing I ever would wear in blazing sunlight at the day, however the much colder evening? Yeah sure!

So I guess instead of thinking seasons, think temperature.

Then also, there are things we associate with smells. Like winter scents are usually gourmands, that fits great with the all fatty food we eat during xmas.

Summer scents, airy, freshy, watery. That fits great with the sunshine, beach and ocean.

Same with spring and autumn.

1
Deathandblackmetal•

Eh, it can make a difference in 'feel' and perhaps humidity while indoors. But like... the majority of the time a lot of us are in a climate controlled environment. So basically, wear whatever you want whenever you want. If you KNOW you're going to be outside in hot/cold weather for extended period(s) of time, then wear something 'appropriate'. Like, I wouldn't necessarily want to wear 1 Million in 95 degree weather that I'd be in for a few hours if I went to an event.

But, a bunch of us are in a ~68-77 degree environment the vast majority of the time.. so.. it doesn't really matter as much. Wear whatcha want! =)

1