Q Are there perfumes which are more suitable for daytime wear and those that are more appropriate at night?
A This was more of a concern back in what many hardcore perfume fans consider the good old days, when perfume houses used to make really strong, distinctive scents.
Think fragrances like Estee Lauder's Youth Dew (1953), Yves Saint Laurent's Opium (1977), Christian Dior's Poison (1985) and Givenchy's Amarige (1991). These were heady, voluptuous scents that some might consider a bit much for daytime wear, especially if you worked in an enclosed space such as an office. For evening soirees, however, they could add a bold touch of glamour.
Nowadays, though, light floral and fruity scents are much more in vogue than perfumes with strong sillage (a French term for the trail of scent you leave wafting behind you). Practically everything on the market currently is suitable for daytime wear.
For nights in town, you can consider some of these more adventurous, modern scents that are not afraid to make their presence felt.
Try the new DKNY Delicious Night ($118 for 100 ml), a sensual incense and patchouli concoction; Jean Paul Gaultier's Fleur Du Male ($132 for 125ml), an assertive orange blossom scent; or Hermes' Kelly Caleche ($190 for 100ml), which starts out with an edgy femme fatale leather note and gradually softens into an elegant iris scent. These are available from major department stores.
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Sep 5, 2008.
