FragHo
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Casual
Glam
Sporty
LORY WILLIAMS
By Jan Moran
LEGENDARY STYLE MAKER and couturière
Coco Chanel once said, “Perfume is the unseen
but unforgettable and ultimate fashion accessory.” Her greatest perfume, Chanel No. 5, was
created in 1921. Decades later, it remains among
the world’s bestselling fragrances.
In recent years new fragrances endorsed by
fashion designers, supermodels and now
celebrities have increased the available scents.
“Today there are more than 1,100 fragrances in
the U.S. market,” says Mary Ellen Lapsansky,
executive director of the Fragrance Foundation
in New York City.
Choices are plentiful because fragrance is
one of the most cherished gifts, touching deep
emotional chords. Whether that special spritz is
for a loved one or for yourself, making your way
through the fragrance forest can be a daunting
journey. But it doesn’t have to be.
Fragrances, like wines, are divided into
groupings based on attributes. It’s easy to use
Cthis knowledge to help guide your selections.
hoosing the
This guide will help you create your
fragrance wardrobe and streamline
your holiday gift shopping.
Romantic. Dreamy, nostalgic,
passionate. Think bountiful floral
bouquets for women and warm wooded
scents for men.
Feminine—Baby Phat Goddess, Estée
Lauder’s Beautiful, Jessica McClintock’s
Silk Ribbons, Elizabeth Taylor’s White
Diamonds
Masculine—Baldessarini, Ralph
Lauren’s Romance Men Silver
Glamorous. Elegant and sophisticated. For cocktail evenings and grand
galas, these festive fragrances are unforgettable. Consider rich floral bouquets or
spice-laden Oriental ensembles for women
and elegant wooded themes for men.
Feminine—Burberry Brit Red,
Chanel’s Allure, Chanel No. 5, Estée
Fragrance
family. Michael
Edwards, author of the
annual Fragrances of the World
books, classifies scents into 13 families, ranging from floral to citrus to Oriental (spicy).
Simply follow your nose to discover which fragrance family appeals to you.
Lifestyle. Today, fragrance is a fashion and
lifestyle choice. Annette Green, president emeritus
of the Fragrance Foundation, coined the term
“fragrance wardrobe.” She advises having at least
four scents to fit a variety of lifestyle occasions.
Sheer, fresh fragrances are ideal for casual
and summer wear. In cool weather, robust fragrances will last longer. For professional settings,
choose discreet scents to let your business savvy
shine through. Indulge your romantic side with
the richest, most elegant essences for intimate
evenings and glamorous galas.
Formula. Fragrances are composed of intricate blends of essential oils. Eau de cologne and
The Costco Connection
Costco is offering a range of the best scents
for your dollars from the ranks of the hot
and new and the tried and true. Selection
will vary by warehouse location.
eau de toilette incorporate smaller amounts of
these pure fragrance compounds and are meant
to be used lavishly and refreshed often. Eau de
parfum and parfum are more concentrated.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re partial to
Chanel No. 5 or Live Jennifer Lopez. As Michael
Edwards says, “A great perfume is a work of art.
It can lift our days, haunt our nights and create
the milestones of our memories.” C
Jan Moran, a Costco Executive member, is a
fragrance expert and the author of Fabulous
Fragrances II (Crescent House Publishing
LLC, 2000). Her Web site, www.fabulous
fragrances.com, offers a database for retailers
and consumers.
right fragrance
Lauder’s Knowing, Estée
Lauder’s Tom Ford Amber
Nude, Guerlain’s Shalimar
Masculine—Givenchy Pour
Homme, Calvin Klein’s Obsession,
Givenchy’s Pi
Career. Clean, crisp, confident.
Understated scents make good business
sense. Cool aquatic themes and airy fragrances are appropriate for professionals.
Feminine—Chanel No. 19, Prescriptives’ Calyx
Masculine—Azzaro’s Chrome, Giorgio
Armani’s Acqua di Giò Pour Homme,
Salvatore Ferragamo’s Subtil
Casual. Easy to wear. Think blue
jeans, T-shirts and sweaters. Fresh fruits
and soft florals for women; sheer wooded
or aromatic scents for men.
Feminine—Estée Lauder’s Pleasures,
Live Jennifer Lopez, Lacoste’s Touch of
Pink, Lancôme’s Miracle So Magic!
Masculine—Estée Lauder’s Pleasures
For Men, Lacoste’s Style in Play,
Hummer2
Sporty. Liquid energy. Citrus invigorates the senses and boosts the energy
level. Zesty citrus and herbs have universal appeal.
Feminine—Calvin Klein’s cK One
Masculine—Ralph Lauren’s Polo Sport
Cruise or summer. Fanciful
and fun. Think sandals, sunglasses
and sandy beaches. Sunny fruits
and bleached woods enliven this
casual category.
Feminine—Britney Spears’ In Control
Curious, Escada’s Rockin’ Rio, Estée
Lauder’s Beyond Paradise and Pacific
Paradise
Masculine—Davidoff’s Cool Water,
Calvin Klein’s cK One—JM
