Real Fashion Lovers Match Their Outfits to Their Perfumes—Here Are My Go-To Pairings

I have a theory that anyone who’s really into fashion is also secretly really into fragrance. If you care enough about the texture of your linen or the cut of your blazer, you probably also have opinions about what sandalwood note feels more “evening” versus “editorial.” I’ve never been the kind of person who wears just one signature scent—I have a few go-tos I rotate through based on how I want to feel and, more importantly, how I want to look. That pairing between what I’m wearing and what I’m spritzing has become its own little ritual.

Lately, I’ve started noticing just how often I choose a fragrance based on what I have on. There are perfumes I won’t wear with a breezy summer dress, because they feel too moody. Or looks I save for sharper scents that almost act like accessories. Below, I’m walking you through some of the exact outfits and perfumes I’ve worn recently and why they work so well together. Think of it like styling—but for your aura.

When I show my friends this perfume, they always say, “Oh, that smells like you.” It was introduced to me by the Parfums de Marly team as a unisex fragrance, and it was love at first sniff. To me, this is the scent that perfectly combines the traditionally feminine and the traditionally masculine. It has musk at its base and lightness that comes from orange blossoms on top, and I can’t think of a more appealing combination.

Shop the look:

Shop the scent:

I have been a longtime Yves Saint Laurent Libre lover, but after testing out the intense version of this scent, I must say I’m obsessed. I’m starting to realize I have a type. Here we have another scent that infuses vanilla and orange blossom in the best way. This is one I like to get dressed up in.

Shop the look:

Shop the scent:

Someone literally chased me down in a crosswalk in SoHo last weekend asking where this scent was from, and I was so flattered. I felt bougie responding by correctly pronouncing Maison Francis Kurkjian. This scent is similar to Althair but has a lighter feel and a nice dose of vanilla.

Shop the look:

Shop the scent:

A night out where I want to channel my feminine energy always is better with a warm floral fragrance. This is a perfume that instantly captivates and looks good on the dance floor. It's inspired by the garden at Tom Ford’s home, and I can’t imagine a better scent for when you want to spread a little love.

Shop the look:

Shop the scent:

With florals at the top and strong notes of vanilla and amber as the base, Esplendor is also a fragrance that attracts compliments. This is something I love to pile on for a beach day, so my inspiration for this look was a colorful cover-up matching set I wore in Spain recently. It’s perfection.

Shop the look:

Shop the scent:

One of my go-to vacation perfumes has been Salt by Ellis Brooklyn ever since I took it on one of my first Euro summer trips with me. Contrary to the popular choice of a tropical scent for vacation, this one is light, fresh and smells like the ocean air.

Shop the look:

Shop the scent: