As someone who has more fragrances than a girl can possibly need, it may be hard to believe that I was once a signature scent girl. But it’s the truth. My perfume obsession started with a quest to find that one scent that truly feels like “me.” But asking one perfume to encapsulate every mood, season, and occasion just isn’t realistic. Instead of a signature scent, the real secret to always smelling incredible is building a fragrance capsule wardrobe.
But how do you know what perfumes your capsule wardrobe needs? We went straight to the experts to figure out how to build the perfect one. Whether you know it or not, you’ve almost certainly sniffed and loved master perfumer Jérôme Epinette’s work. He’s the nose behind favorite brands like Sol de Janeiro, Boy Smells, Floral Street, and Byredo. We asked him, along with Michelle Feeney, founder of perfume brand Floral Street, for their expert tips on how to create the perfect perfume collection. Here’s what they said.
Jérôme Epinette, Master Perfumer
Jérôme Epinette is a renowned French perfumer, known for his work with beloved fragrance houses like Byredo, Sol de Janeiro, Atelier Cologne, Floral Street, Ellis Brooklyn, and more.
Michelle Feeney, Floral Street Founder
Michelle Feeney, Floral Street founder, is a beauty powerhouse. She worked in PR in the UK in the ’80s, before moving to the US to set up her own agency. She has created a modern British fragrance brand with sustainability and eco-responsibility at its core.
What is a Fragrance Wardrobe?
A fragrance capsule wardrobe is a small collection of scents that, like a clothing capsule wardrobe, works no matter what your plans are. While you may think a signature scent is the pinnacle of individuality—with people recognizing you by a scent alone—Epinette disagrees. “Having a wardrobe actually creates a more personal signature, because the way you rotate and choose your scents becomes something unique to you,” he said. “It’s not just one smell, it’s your taste, your rhythm, your instinct… something much more individual than wearing the same fragrance every day.”
Feeney echoes that sentiment, putting it perfectly: We don’t only wear one lipstick or one outfit on repeat, so why would we rely on a single scent to do the heavy lifting? “A fragrance wardrobe gives you the freedom to express every side of yourself,” she said. “It allows you to decide ‘Who will you be today?’ every day. It’s a far more modern, intuitive way to wear fragrance.”
“It’s not just one smell, it’s your taste, your rhythm, your instinct… something much more individual than wearing the same fragrance every day.”
How to Build a Fragrance Wardrobe
Now that you know why so many are gravitating toward fragrance capsule wardrobes over signature scents, here’s how you actually build your own.
Where to start
The most intimidating part of building your fragrance wardrobe is knowing where to begin. But the good news is, there is no wrong way to start your collection. That being said, I do have some expert tips to help you land on a collection you absolutely love.
“Start with curiosity, not rules,” Feeney recommended. “Explore a few different scent moods—something joyful, something bold, something comforting, something transportive.” Start with discovery sets and note what profiles you lean toward. Similarly, Epinette’s advice is to start simple, with a few perfumes that feel very different from each other. Focusing on contrast allows you to learn what you like for different situations. Something both of our experts say is a must is testing fragrances on your skin and seeing how they evolve. First impressions aren’t everything when searching for scents that truly resonate.
How to find perfumes you like
Even knowing the mindset you should have when approaching your fragrance wardrobe, it can still be difficult to know what kinds of scents you even like. With trending notes, constant new launches, and hyperbolic social media reviews claiming a fragrance is life-changing or absolutely horrible, it’s hard to separate your own opinions from what you feel like you should like.
“If a fragrance makes you smile, stand taller, or feel more like yourself, that’s the one.”
Our experts recommend taking your time, not rushing to fill up your perfume tray, and focusing on emotions. Perfume is so tied to memories and emotions—even ones you may not be aware are there—so pay attention to how a certain scent makes you feel. Feeney remembers actually crying the first time she smelled Floral Street’s Iris Goddess, as she was transported straight back to her grandmother’s house in Ireland. “If a fragrance makes you smile, stand taller, or feel more like yourself, that’s the one,” she said.
Epinette warned to pay attention to what you actually wear, not just what you admire. Yes, it can be tempting to snag the scent your favorite celebrity is raving about, but it’s important to center on what you actually like. What works beautifully for one person may feel completely different for someone else. “Try to notice if there are certain notes or olfactive families you naturally gravitate toward…. citrus, woods, florals, musks… and explore from there,” he said. “Sometimes the fragrances we find impressive are not the ones we reach for every day, so it’s really about understanding your own preference over time.” And remember, we all have so many facets to our personalities, so embrace scents that allow you to explore different sides of yourself.
The fragrance capsule wardrobe formula
According to Epinette, it’s helpful to have a few different fragrance profiles to vary your collection and allow for freedom. Here are his recommendations for those categories:
- A fresh scent for ease
- Something more intimate and close to the skin
- Something warmer, richer, deeper, or more expressive for evenings
Feeney prefers to approach her fragrance capsule wardrobe categories as emotions. This may vary person to person, but these are the ones she thinks everyone can benefit from. “Think of them as emotional anchors. Your fragrance wardrobe should support your lifestyle and your mood—just like your clothing wardrobe does,” she said.
- A joyful everyday scent
- A confidence scent
- A comfort scent
- A fresh, feel-good scent
- An escape scent
- A fantasy scent
Shop Our Favorite Fragrances to Get Started
Creating a fragrance wardrobe is a personal journey, but if you want some editor-approved recommendations to guide your search, here are the ones we reach for every day.
Scent Type: Fresh Florals
Key Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Apricot Skin, Ambrox
Scent Type: Floral Gourmand
Key Notes: Pear, Gardenia, Centifolia Rose
Scent Type: Warm Florals
Key Notes: Blackcurrant, Jasmine Grandiflorum, Bourbon Vanilla
Scent Type: Warm & Sweet Gourmands
Key Notes: Vanilla Orchids, Tonka Absolute, Amber Woods
Scent Type: Fresh Citrus & Fruits
Key Notes: Green Pear Accord, Ambroxan, Musks
Scent Type: Warm & Sheer
Key Notes: Skin Musk, Bergamot Nectar, Blonde Wood
Scent Type: Woody & Spicy
Key Notes: Fig, Black tea, Indian Sandalwood
Lauren Blue, Associate Editor & Book Club Co-Host
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
Products included in graphics linked within article. Feature graphic images credited to: Cora Pursley | Dupe, Alina Latkovic | Dupe, Ar Adikara | Dupe, Halley Morlock | Dupe, Sarah Besancon | Dupe, Maria Julia SZ | Dupe, and Sabina DC | Dupe.