Fragrance is fashion — you just wear it with your pulse instead of your pins.

Once upon a time, perfumes were simple affairs: a splash of rose water here, a dab of lavender there. Reserved for the elite, shrouded in mystery, and passed down in crystal flacons, fragrance was ritual. But today? It’s identity. Memory. Mood. Magic.

And just like your wardrobe, your scent story is made up of layers, fabrics, moods — known as olfactory families. These “families” are groupings of fragrances based on their most dominant notes and characteristics. They’re the building blocks of perfumery, and knowing them is like knowing your silhouettes: flattering, timeless, and endlessly mixable.

Now, I’ve matched each scent family to a “bright garment” personality — because darling, style and scent go hand in hand.

The Olfactory Families

1. Citrus — Fresh & Sparkling

Garment: Crisp white linen shirt

Vibe: Energetic, bright, zesty — like a splash of sunlight.

Notes: Lemon, bergamot, mandarin, grapefruit.

For: The optimists, the early risers, the ones who walk fast and smile faster.

2. Floral — Romantic & Feminine

Garment: Flowing silk blouse in blush

Vibe: Delicate, elegant, dreamy — garden-party chic.

Notes: Rose, jasmine, peony, orange blossom.

For: The romantics, the artists, the soft girls and boys who love hard.

3. Green — Crisp & Cool

Garment: Structured mint blazer

Vibe: Clean, fresh, slightly earthy — a botanical brunch.

Notes: Galbanum, violet leaf, tea leaves, cut grass.

For: The minimalists, the grounded ones, the ones who always have fresh herbs in their fridge.

4. Aquatic — Light & Breezy

Garment: Sheer chiffon dress in ocean blue

Vibe: Airy, watery, coastal — salt in your hair, toes in the sand.

Notes: Sea breeze accord, marine notes, watermelon, driftwood.

For: The dreamers, the escapists, the ones who crave clean slates and open skies.

5. Fruity — Juicy & Playful

Garment: Bright patterned sundress

Vibe: Fun, youthful, vibrant — flirty without trying.

Notes: Pear, apple, berries, peach, mango.

For: The creatives, the colour-lovers, the ones who laugh with their whole face.

6. Gourmand — Sweet & Edible

Garment: Velvet mini dress in caramel

Vibe: Addictive, cosy, warm — dessert before dinner.

Notes: Vanilla, coffee, praline, chocolate, almond.

For: The sensualists, the comfort-seekers, the ones who always order dessert.

7. Woody — Earthy & Elegant

Garment: Cashmere coat in camel

Vibe: Sophisticated, grounding, confident — timeless chic.

Notes: Cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli.

For: The thinkers, the polished, the ones who love tradition with a twist.

8. Oriental / Amber — Warm & Sensual

Garment: Gold lamé wrap dress

Vibe: Rich, exotic, mysterious — after-dark glam.

Notes: Amber, spices, resins, incense.

For: The seductors, the storytellers, the ones who never check the time at parties.

9. Leather — Bold & Sexy

Garment: Black leather moto jacket

Vibe: Rebellious, smoky, magnetic — rock ‘n’ roll luxe.

Notes: Suede, birch tar, tobacco, smoke.

For: The rebels, the edgy ones, the ones who walk into a room like they own it.

10. Chypre — Classic & Complex

Garment: Tailored forest-green pantsuit

Vibe: Sharp, refined, powerful — Parisian editorial energy.

Notes: Bergamot, oakmoss, patchouli, rose.

For: The boss energy, the perfectionists, the ones who don’t do halfway.

11. Powdery — Soft & Retro

Garment: Pale pink cashmere sweater

Vibe: Vintage, soft-focus, whisper-light — like lipstick on silk.

Notes: Iris, heliotrope, violet, musk.

For: The nostalgic, the sentimental, the ones who wear pearls with trainers.

12. Aromatic (Herbal & Clean)

Garment: Fitted white tee and classic jeans

Vibe: Clean-cut, sharp, breezy — effortless cool.

Notes: Lavender, sage, rosemary, basil, thyme.

For: The calm, collected types who love a fresh-out-the-shower feel with an herbal twist.

(Often overlaps with Citrus, Green, or Fougère.)

How to Use Your Scent Wardrobe

Just like fashion, fragrance is seasonal, emotional, and personal. You wouldn’t wear stilettos to yoga (or maybe you would — power to you), so why wear the same scent for everything?

Here’s how to curate your scent closet:

• Everyday Go-To: Clean, subtle, fresh (try Citrus, Green, or Powdery).

• Date Night: Magnetic and unforgettable (Leather, Gourmand, Oriental).

• Confidence Boost: Strong, layered, commanding (Woody, Chypre).

• Self-Care Sundays: Soft, dreamy, comforting (Floral, Aquatic, Powdery).

• Wild Card: One scent that makes no sense — but all the sense for you.

The Final Spritz

Perfume doesn’t just complete a look — it begins a memory.

Your olfactory family is more than just a classification. It’s your aromatic fingerprint. Once you know your notes, your world expands. You start matching fragrance to mood, weather, occasion — even outfit.

So go on. Dress up. Spray bold. And always leave a little mystery in your wake.