The National: How a "fragrance wardrobe" is created in the UAE
In the UAE, The National reported on the trend of a “fragrance wardrobe” — a selection of scents for different times of day, moods, seasons or occasions. Instead of one permanent fragrance, perfume enthusiasts build small collections for work, evening outings, holidays and everyday life.
Abu Dhabi-based content creator Shariz Simmadari, known as @FragranceFairyShama, compared such a selection to a clothing wardrobe: one outfit is not suitable for all seasons and situations, just as one fragrance is not. According to her, creating such a set does not require buying hundreds of bottles — it is enough to thoughtfully select scents for different needs.
Fragrances for different situations
Oro Vento Parfum founder Olvin Stephen said that for work he chooses restrained and elegant fragrances that should not project too strongly. In his view, the choice for personal time can be freer: evening compositions can be more intense, while citrus, salty, white floral or especially bright notes may be suitable for a holiday.
The article also states that varying levels of heat in the UAE can affect a fragrance, so some perfumes are better suited for summer and others for cooler periods. It recommends building a personal collection by analysing scents that are already appealing, including notes of vanilla, musk, rose, citrus, amber or wood.
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Social media and fragrance layering
Ravi Ramchandani, events director at Notes Dubai and Beautyworld Dubai, links changing consumer habits to TikTok and Instagram. According to the 2022 Circana Fragrance Consumer Report, TikTok accounted for 45% of social media-influenced perfume purchases in the United States. At that time, the hashtag #perfumetok had amassed more than six billion views.
Anonymous perfume content creators Zeina and Layla, who run the @ScentedSisterz page, drew attention to the popularity of fragrance layering. According to them, vanilla can soften a composition, citrus can make it brighter, musk can create a feeling of cleanliness, while woody and amber notes can add depth. They noted that there are no strict rules for a “fragrance wardrobe,” and very different compositions are possible within a single fragrance family.
When choosing a new perfume, Ramchandani advises testing preferred options on the skin rather than only on paper strips, as a fragrance develops differently. He also noted that a person's reaction to a scent sometimes differs from their usual preferences.
