It’s well known that the sense of smell is directly linked to our memories. A whiff of a particular scent can transport us back in time to specific places, people and moments that shaped our lives. That’s why if you wear a signature scent every day, people who spend time around you will think of you whenever they catch a breath of that scent elsewhere.

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However, as the world becomes more diverse and individualism takes centre stage, this concept of a single fragrance no longer resonates.

Today, people are approaching fragrance in a new way – one that offers them the freedom to express different aspects of their personality, adapt to various mindsets and embrace the ever-changing weather.

That’s how the idea of fragrance rotation gained significant popularity, with individuals building collections of scents – known as fragrance wardrobes – that cater to their diverse needs.

Building a fragrance wardrobe

She explains how, as a result, many people now own a rotating “wardrobe” of scents, “using them as accessories to suit various occasions, moods and the weather”.

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The fragrance industry has swiftly adapted to this shift. Perfume houses now produce a more comprehensive array of scents, offering more affordable options and creating collections and sets to enable customers to experiment with various choices without breaking the bank.

“At Elorea, we offer discovery sets with a voucher (of equal value to the set) that can be used towards a full-size bottle purchase, so you can try them at your own pace before committing,” Park explains. She also believes owning at least four scents in different scent profiles can be a good starting point. “Just like we change our looks each day as a way to express ourselves, rotating fragrances can do that same thing,” she says.

Scent layering

This shift has also led to trends like scent layering – where shoppers create a signature scent by layering multiple fragrances on top of each other as a way to customise their experience even more – and even tailor-made perfume services, which allow individuals to create unique blends that genuinely reflect their personalities and preferences.

Some experts suggest switching up your perfume every once in a while is crucial to avoid olfactory adaptation. Just like you can’t smell a space after spending a certain amount of time there, your own perfume can become a mere background scent for you. This can lead to either an overdose of perfume application or a mindless spritz-and-go without actually engaging in the experience of putting on perfume.

For someone looking to amplify their scent wardrobe, Park suggests reading scent descriptions and looking for notes or scent categories you enjoy. “Most fragrance websites list the notes and category the scent belongs to, which can help narrow down the search,” she says.

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She also recommends trying different options, as how a scent smells on you is not necessarily the same as it would on someone else: “Through the process of elimination, you should be able to find the ones that suit you best.”