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Coco Chanel once (purportedly) called perfume “the ultimate accessory,” but I’d like to argue that perfume can be the whole entire outfit. Call it synesthesia, or an adult version of those online dress-up games, but sometimes I catch a whiff of a complex perfume — or see a really evocative marketing campaign — and I can instantly build an outfit around it. And the persona who would wear it. And the event at which they would appear in that outfit, spritzed to the brim in that fragrance.
Of course, you can wear your perfume with whatever outfit you want, to whatever event you desire, but there’s something fun about all the aesthetic and sensory energies aligning. In that spirit, here are a few of my (current) favorite perfumes and what I’d wear with them. Vibe check, incoming.
The Modern Hippie
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Le Labo Santal 33
The fragrance: Sandalwood, cedarwood, cardamom, violet, smoky wood, leather.
The vibe: Dinner party at a Greenpoint loft with a ceramicist, a Kundalini yoga instructor, and a natural wine bar owner.
Wear it with this:
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A cool denim chore coat…
This denim chore coat + straight-leg jeans = the coolest way to do a Canadian tuxedo. You’ll wear it in every season (it’s great for layering), and like any denim piece, it’ll only get more comfortable the more you use it. ($225, Alex Mill)
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A pair of drop earrings with a hint of color…
Here’s a sophisticated take on the artsy earring. You can treat the green stone as a neutral — it looks surprisingly good with any other color you’re wearing. ($75, Ana Luisa)
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Velvet Mary Jane flats…
Mary Janes are still big this season. These come in a few color options, but this pale green velvet feels playful and chic. They’d look pretty with the earrings above. ($140+, Anthropologie)
The Dark Academic
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Commodity Book
The fragrance: Bergamot, cypress, amber, sandalwood, velvet.
The vibe: Attending a book reading for a stylish noir thriller at an indie bookstore.
Wear it with this:
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A knife-pleated skirt in faux leather…
Not your school uniform’s pleated skirt. This is made of an edgy faux-leather material and has a sophisticated tea-length hem — very grown-up goth. ($89.99, Mango)
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The quintessential platform loafers…
The ultimate nerdy-chic shoe. These have a tassel detail for a menswear-inspired feel, plus a lug sole for some edge. Go for the black or burgundy patent leather if you’re committed to the Dark Academia aesthetic. ($99+, Nordstrom)
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A pair of on-trend red tights…
Red tights are another big trend right now. They’re less intimidating than you think, especially if you wear them with a midi skirt, since you’ll just get a flash of color. These are opaque, rip-resistant, and made of super-soft microfiber. ($15, Calzedonia)
The Indie Sleaze Throwback
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Burberry Brit
The fragrance: Pear, sugared almond, vanilla.
The vibe: Poring over Pinterest pics of Alexa Chung at Glastonbury while listening to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs…with wired headphones.
Wear it with this:
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A leopard-print coat that looks polished…
What’s a Kate Moss fangirl without her leopard-print coat? You could pull your old faux-fur bomber out of storage, or go for this more polished iteration from Boden. It has a tailored, classic silhouette and is made from a wool blend, so you can wear it to work or to a nice dinner. No one will know you were listening to The Strokes on your way over. ($184.99, Boden)
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A pair of ballet flats for less than $25…
If you’re still on the fence about bringing back ballet flats, we recommend picking up this simple black pair from Amazon. They cost less than $25, but they have over 45,000 five-star reviews to back them up. Customers love the memory foam insoles, and that they come in wide sizes. Wear them everywhere and make Amy Winehouse proud. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
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A studded belt that feels grown-up…
This belt is a little less Hot Topic, a little more Khaite-inspired. The chunky grommets pay homage to the studs of your youth, and it’s genuine leather, so it’ll last you for years. Wear it with high-waisted denim or slung around a silk slip skirt. ($98, Lisa Says Gah)
The High-Key Luxe One
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Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
The fragrance: Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambergris, fir resin.
The vibe: Tending to your black dahlias in The Row mesh flats.
Wear it with this:
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A silk pajama set you can throw in the wash…
Every hedonist needs a trusty pair of silk pajamas. This Lunya set includes a short-sleeve button-down top with a slightly cropped, boxy fit, plus a pair of wide-leg pants with an elegant side slit. You can wear either piece out in the wild, too — the top would look chic with high-waisted jeans. Both pieces are machine-washable. ($278, Lunya)
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A soft cashmere wrap…
What goes best with silk? Cashmere. This blanket-sized wrap is made of 100% cashmere that’s soft, lightweight, and very warm. Wind it around your shoulders or neck, or use it as a throw blanket in the office or on a long flight. Add a monogram to make it really heirloom-worthy. ($177.99+, J.Crew)
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A sculptural choker...
This sculptural choker adds “a subtle touch of luxury” to your outfit, according to one reviewer. It comes in three metallic finishes — black, silver, and gold — and it feels lightweight despite the chunky silhouette. ($58, Anthropologie)
The Romantic
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Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
The fragrance: Rose, jasmine, orange blossom, vanilla.
The vibe: Picnicking in a rose garden with your beloved. In stilettos.
Wear it with this:
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A silk dress with princess energy…
Here’s a high-femme dress to lean into this sexy floral scent. This silk dress has a sweetheart neckline, adjustable tie straps, a ruched bodice, and a side slit — all the trappings of a fun date night piece. It comes in Barbie pink or a “Bridgerton”-esque pale green floral print. ($298, Reformation)
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A pair of crystal-studded heels…
The stilettos in question. These are a pretty pearl-gray color and are affixed with an unapologetically glam crystal-studded bow. They’d also work well for weddings — whether you’re a guest or the one getting married. ($178, Revolve)
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A velvet bow clip…
This one’s for the coquettes. You can choose from over 40 colors and the type of backing you want: either a large or small barrette, or an alligator clip. Slip it onto a half up-half down style or a ponytail. ($10.50, Etsy)
The Clean Girl
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Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath
The fragrance: Soap bubbles, bergamot, jasmine, coconut milk.
The vibe: Taking an Everything Shower after a Pilates class, followed by an iced oat milk matcha latte in a Stanley cup.
Wear it with this:
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Our all-time favorite jeans...
We can’t stop talking about these Abercrombie jeans. They come in sizes 23-37 and five inseam lengths. We can confirm they’re super-comfortable, so you won’t miss your leggings when you put these on after your workout. Word to the wise: This style is popular and sells out quickly, so if you find a wash you like in your size, get it now. ($76.50, Abercrombie & Fitch)
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The simple T-shirt you’ll want to buy in bulk…
Behold: The perfect white T-shirt. It’s made of 100% organic cotton that softens over time, and it has the right not-too-tight fit that lies nicely underneath sweaters. The hem is long enough to tuck into your jeans, but cropped enough to look intentional if you wear it as-is. So fresh, so clean. ($30, Everlane)
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Chunky gold hoops Hailey Bieber would approve of…
Wear these chunky gold hoops with a slicked-back bun for a model-off-duty look. They’re plated in 14-karat gold, have a nice weight to them, and no one would guess they cost less than $15 on Amazon. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
The European Vacationer
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Dior J'adore L'or
The fragrance: Orange blossom, jasmine, rose.
The vibe: Sipping an Aperol Spritz at an outdoor café on the French Riviera.
Wear it with this:
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A maxi dress in a French-inspired print…
The cult-favorite Somerset dress is a bestseller on Anthro, thanks to its tiered, smocked silhouette that looks and feels good on everyone. It comes in 12 colors and patterns, including the toile-inspired version pictured above. The lightweight cotton material would pick up that Mediterranean breeze so beautifully, non? ($168, Anthropologie)
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A stack of gold bangles…
This stack of gold bangles is the kind of effortlessly chic jewelry your travel capsule wardrobe needs. They’re stretchy, so you can wear them stacked on your wrist or higher up your arm as a cuff. Would look good with a tan. ($50, Revolve)
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A woven tote you can take from the beach to dinner…
Somewhere to stash your book and baguette. This woven tote is roomy and has long, comfortable straps and an open top, so you can throw in as many bottles of wine as you want. ($79.50+, J.Crew)
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