Perfume for the Occasion: For the Office

Similar to our last Perfume for the Occasion regarding airline travel, perfume for the office requires restraint and couth. If you have ever developed a migraine from a pungent, strident fruity-floral scent lovingly applied from head to toe by a non-perfumista, you know exactly what we are trying to avoid. A basic rule of thumb could be, "Wear whatever you want, but make sure you apply sparingly!" What may be barely noticed by your nose could cause waves of grimaces from unsuspecting colleagues at your office. And if your office is anything like mine, you definitely do not want to be that person who blows everyone away with your strong scent that enters the room before you do and lingers for hours after your departure. It could ruin your reputation and your career. Similar to an annoyingly loud cell phone conversation that rudely intrudes upon the personal space of countless people (and unfortunately I see this every day), too much perfume at the office immediately catapults the wearer into a club to which you would never want to belong: invasive, oppressive and suffocating. Human resource departments are becoming more diligent with scenarios such as this. Therefore, unobtrusive for close quarters could be our motto as I am certain Divina of Fragrance Bouquet agrees. Make sure to check out her entry!

With that in mind, there are a few scents that will prevent various science experiments in your home designed to prevent the above scenario. (I am speaking of the days where you dash from room to room and then retrace your steps to see if you can smell yourself. Or, you ask your spouse or partner if they can smell you from the next room.) No need to work so hard with these inconspicuous and modest scents, listed in alphabetical order:

• Cartier Eau de Cartier - Clean, crisp and minimalist that starts out leafy green and ends with a freshly showered scent.


• Donna Karan Cashmere Mist - an innocent, soft and light scent that reminds the wearer of everything from a hug to fresh linen.


• Emporio Armani She - although this one will not win any awards, it is a great office scent with its vanilla, musky, soft, skin-like appeal.


• Hermes Calèche Eau Délicate - Not to be confused with the original Calèche. This fragrance is quite different. Rather than the antiseptic, although beautifully composed chypre aspect of the original, Eau Délicate is a soft, woodsy floral that is at once clean and light.


• J. Lo Glow - Oh, believe me I know I will get blasted for this suggestion. Nevertheless J. Lo's scents are very underrated and Glow comes across as soapy, soft and clean with plenty of white musk at the base. One spritz is all you need.


• Keiko Mecheri Fleurs d'Osmanthus - a peachy, musky take on osmanthus that is very smooth and creamy. Think Serge Lutens Datura Noir but for daytime.


• Origins Ginger Essence - Not the most sophisticated scent but universally appealing and uplifting to the wearer, perfect for an afternoon slump.


• Prada Infusion d'Iris - A lovely, gentle iris scent that stays very close to skin and appeared on many "Favorites of 2007" lists.

If everyone in the world would stick to these or similar scents during work days, I believe we would have a much more productive and pleasant environment! I would love to hear what you like to wear to work. Better yet, list what not to wear as a friendly public service announcement.