Find Your Signature Scent for the Office
November 04, 2016 | Filed in: Beauty
A signature scent is an elusive creature. Like a fabulous pair of shoes, a perfume might seem wonderful at first—but after a few hours, you can’t wait to get it off. Rarer still is the one that fits you perfectly and works for the office. Not so strong that it fogs up a conference room, but just enough that people recognize it as yours: It’s an olfactory unicorn. We polled seven members of the MM team (a great-smelling bunch, if we do say so ourselves) for their personal favorites.
Sarah LaFleur, founder & CEO
SIGNATURE SCENT(S): For spring and summer, it’s Tulips from Byredo, and my fall/winter scent is Hypnotic Poison from Christian Dior. I’m embarrassed to say the name when people ask (it sounds so witchy), but I’ve never met a fragrance that works better on me.
WHY: The Byredo is light and airy, and reminds me of spring in Japan. And I love the Dior because it’s quite distinct, spicy and buttery—some people might be slightly repulsed by it, which makes me like it even more.
WEAR IT WITH: The Catherine dress for Hypnotic Poison and the Toi dress for Tulips.
Caroline Brown, senior manager of styling & visual merchandising
SIGNATURE SCENT: Chanel 19. It’s classic, distinguishable, and stays with me all day, but it’s not too strong.
WHY: I have a pretty straightforward personality, and I think this fragrance reflects that. My scent goal in life is for someone to smell it and say, “This always reminds me of Caroline.”
WEAR IT WITH: The Etsuko dress in crackle.
Charlotte Cowles, editorial director
SIGNATURE SCENT: Velvet Rose & Oud by Jo Malone. It’s a tiny bit floral, and definitely not sweet—it has a tannic, almost dirty richness to it. It’s like wearable red wine.
WHY: I think the spiciness is a good complement to my personality—I can sometimes come off as reserved or uptight, and this scent is really bold.
WEAR IT WITH: The Lydia in pinstripe. It’s a confident but slightly bookish look.
Annie Lim, knitwear designer
SIGNATURE SCENT: Kai. I’ve been obsessed with it for the last ten years. I wear it when I need an extra pep in my step.
WHY: It’s sweet and slightly tropical, but not drugstore-y. On cold, gray days, it makes me think of sun. It’s also not so serious—it smells feminine without crossing the line into grandmotherly.
WEAR IT WITH: The cozy Arbus sweater (see above re: cold, gray days).
Hanna Freedlund, senior associate, pop-up sales & operations
SIGNATURE SCENT: Book by Commodity. I’ve been wearing it for six months, and I haven’t found anything that comes even close to rivaling it.
WHY: I can’t wear anything sweet because it gives me a headache, so this scent is perfect—it’s smoky, woody, and fresh, all at the same time. It smells like a comforting library, with top notes of cucumber that keep it from being musty. I also like that it isn’t traditional.
WEAR IT WITH: The Aditi dress in deep forest. Understated, not too feminine, and chic.
Taylor Purcell, stylist
SIGNATURE SCENT: Jimmy Choo. I’ve been wearing it for about three years now.
WHY: It suits me because it isn’t overly girly or flowery. It’s feminine with a sharpness to it, and it isn’t overbearing.
WEAR IT WITH: The Etsuko—ladylike and powerful.
Nikita Sachdeva, stylist
SIGNATURE SCENT: No. 04 Bois de Balincourt by Maison Louis Marie. Every morning, I put it on my pressure points, starting with my wrist and ending with my neck. It’s a calming ritual before I start my day.
WHY: My dear friend Jake has incredible taste in fragrances, and I have a habit of stealing his latest finds. This scent reminds me of him and his room in college, where we used to chat endlessly, watch Will & Grace, and sip wine in bed. I also think the notes of cedar are a nice balance for my fiery personality.
WEAR IT WITH: The Bell sweater in wolfling, Keaton turtleneck in buttermilk, and Panel scarf. These pieces (especially scarves) retain the scent of the perfume oil, and the cozy neutrals complement its earthy nature.
