How Perceptible Should Fragrance Be?

[UESNYC]

My opinion is that it should be somewhat perceptible to barely perceptible at a normal conversation distance. Anything more just sends the wrong message.

 

[slpfrsly]

 

[hednic]

As perceptible as you want it to be. Each individual is different.

 

[FiveoaksBouquet]

No should about it for me.

You used to smell perfume a lot in this city, up until about ten years ago. One rarely smells perfume when out and about and when one does these days it’s mostly on men, on the bus going downtown. I get the impression a lot of guys apply perfume just before stepping out the door and I love smelling it.

My friends who wear perfume wear it very discreetly, which is perfect for meet-ups. Sometimes, when I do get a big dose in public, even if it’s abused and even if I’m not crazy about the scent I enjoy it for the very experience of being able to smell perfume all around.

 

[Bonnette]

I don't know a soul where I live who wears perfume, so it's a pleasant surprise to smell it in public places - I like to get more than a whiff, but less than a blast. Women routinely wore perfume to concerts, the theater and nice restaurants when I was growing up, and almost always in noticeable but tasteful amounts - a few dabs of the good stuff would do it, back then. That's still my preference.

 

[cheapimitation]

For me personally I only want people to smell it if they come in close.

But I do enjoy smelling a nice fragrance on others in public. Even if it's strong or a scent profile I don't like, I usually enjoy catching a whiff of someone as they pass by. But context matters, I might not want to be in an elevator with the same person.

I'm actually starting to notice the effects of the fragrance boom in that I've been smelling a lot more fragrant people around NYC than before the pandemic, often wearing some interesting scent profiles. It's been awhile since I smelled, Santal, Sauvage, Bleu, or Le Male around.

 

[The Cologne Cabinet]

My opinion is that it should be somewhat perceptible to barely perceptible at a normal conversation distance. Anything more just sends the wrong message.

Obviously, this is an extremely subjective topic, but IMO "sending the wrong message" is way more about the user's behavior than whatever fragrance they are wearing. I could be hanging at the library, reading by myself while wearing 8 sprays of Sauvage. What message am I sending other than I love being fragrant and reading alone?

If I'm minding my own business then anyone who doesn't like my amazing aroma can sit somewhere else. This is every public situation by the way and not just involving fragrance.

 

[UESNYC]

Obviously, this is an extremely subjective topic, but IMO "sending the wrong message" is way more about the user's behavior than whatever fragrance they are wearing. I could be hanging at the library, reading by myself while wearing 8 sprays of Sauvage. What message am I sending other than I love being fragrant and reading alone?

If I'm minding my own business then anyone who doesn't like my amazing aroma can sit somewhere else. This is every public situation by the way and not just involving fragrance.

I didn’t say you didn’t have the right too but using fragrance too liberally is often viewed as narcissistic. It sort of goes hand in hand with how a person dresses as well. Same general psychology. Overusing fragrance is just bad grooming.

 

[FlexMentallo]

I feel a little embarrassed when I wear too much. Like in church or something and everyone sitting around you picks it up - but more because culturally these folks arent used to that kind of thing anymore - sadly. So I aim for just under that - like smell if you you are next to me but not 6 feet away.

 

[The Cologne Cabinet]

Overusing fragrance is just bad grooming.

I happen to agree with you, but again, fragrance is like art. 1 piece of art may generate 20,000 different opinions about it.

 

[Ken_Russell]

While able to understand the arguments in favorite of a moderate perceivable fragrance, would personally never wear nor even own for hardly or more rarely being applied/worn anything else than with at least some capability to be perceived by nearly anyone around.

 

[Schubertian]

Primarily I like to smell myself when I'm wearing perfume. Obviously. I don't care about others but it's fine if they smell me only when fairly close to me. It can be hard to judge how much to wear to achieve that balance... I often err on the side of too much caution and then occasionally end up overspraying and then feel self-conscious about it. 😳

But I do enjoy smelling a nice fragrance on others in public. Even if it's strong or a scent profile I don't like, I usually enjoy catching a whiff of someone as they pass by. But context matters, I might not want to be in an elevator with the same person.

Pretty much this. I like a whiff of perfume when next to someone or passing by, but if I have to be close to them in a space I can't get away with I don't appreciate being overwhelmed by a strong cloud of whatever "beast mode room filler" they decided to douse themselves in. I'd still like to smell my perfume... not theirs. Fortunately that doesn't happen very often.

So yes, I consider overapplying quite rude but a moderate scent is really nice on other people. I'd like to smell more perfumes in the wild, really.

 

[milkbaby]

Just as I would not suggest that there's only one pair of shoes that fits every person, I also won't suggest that there's any perfect amount of fragrance that everyone should wear... That's my opinion. 🤷

 

[StylinLA]

People's opinions vary and there are some who are fine with wearing a very dominating scent that grabs everyone buy the nose and slaps them around whenever you're near them.

Personally, I prefer to have one strong enough to get noticed but not so strong as to take the air out of the room.

Tricky to finesse with many scents.

 

[Zenwannabee]

It’s situational for me. And while I agree with the above that I hardly ever smell fragrances on others these days (and appreciate it when I do), I’m also very cautious especially in an office setting (meetings, close proximity, etc.), with applying too liberally. Outside of work, I also try to consider the social situation and not offending others, but I’m far less concerned if I go a bit heavier on the trigger. That freedom of sillage can be fabulous and I love it. 🙂

 

[PrinceRF]

I don't know a soul where I live who wears perfume, so it's a pleasant surprise to smell it in public places - I like to get more than a whiff, but less than a blast.

This is also the case for me.