what does your fragrance say about you?

Written by GlenN Lauritz Andersson & Denis Vasilije, fragrance experts

When preparing for a job interview, a date or an important meeting, you may spend hours choosing the right outfit. Yet many people wear the same fragrance regardless of occasion and rarely consider the subtle signals their scent sends to others. It’s time to rethink that.

Summary

• Fragrance is a subtle yet powerful way to communicate personality, emotion and intention in different settings.

• Bold and heavier notes can signal confidence and authority, while lighter compositions express approachability and balance.

• By adapting your scent to the situation and message, you can reinforce the impression you want to leave.

confident

For those who want to enter a meeting with presence and self-assurance, there is essentially one fragrance — Kyara from Japanese Di Ser. Its main note, Oud, is the world’s most precious resin from the agarwood tree and has long been central to Middle Eastern perfumery, even though the trees grow in various regions across Asia. Kyara, however, is as unique as it is exclusive, offering a clean, dressed-up woody tone with subtle medicinal nuances reminiscent of spa or sauna — and it is extremely rare and precious.

Di Ser’s Kyara is the ultimate executive fragrance: charismatic, powerful yet fresh; exotic yet sophisticated and minimalist — a scent to aim for if you are targeting a leadership role.

For a more traditionally masculine direction with darker woods combined with tobacco and citrus, Germany’s Birkholz Tobacco Sense from the luxurious Black Collection is a natural choice. A fragrance that radiates luxury, confidence and authority, expressed with subtlety and exceptional balance.

order and control

If you want to convey that you are organised, calm and fully in control, choose cooler fragrances with a fresh, classic DNA. Here, the scent should not dominate the room but hover discreetly around you like an atmosphere.

The fresh lines from German house Birkholz are safe choices in such settings; discreet and elegant compositions like Wild Desires give the wearer an aura of refinement and stability. Xerjoff’s Uden, with classic citrus wrapped in luxurious rum, is another obvious choice — always impressive and expressive of balance. If you want more edge while staying within classic citrus territory, try Bortnikoff’s Musk Cologne, where freshness meets intriguing animalic musk.

creative

One of the most creative things a man can do is to dare wearing a fragrance marketed for women. Very few men do — but taking that leap can lead to surprising results. Many floral compositions designed for women can reveal unexpected and fascinating facets on male skin (and vice versa). It creates a compelling complexity that intrigues others without being easily defined.

Another form of creativity lies in playful, fruity gourmands. As long as they are adapted to the setting and personality, they can express energy, humour and spontaneity — though balance is crucial, or you risk appearing unserious. Wingwoman or Cherry On Top from QOT are excellent examples, as is Latte di Cherry from Italian house New Notes.

Finally, we place the darker spicy or woody fragrances in the creative category. Widian’s London, with sweet raspberry layered over incense, leather and oud, works on both men and women despite its bold expression. An unusual creation — experimental yet rooted in vintage cologne tradition — is Francesca Bianchi’s Etruscan Water, a popular choice for the fearless businessman with confidence.