The right scent for each seasonMy friend has a theory that certain perfumes go with different hair colours. When I sprayed the new Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia – a crisp, sweet floral with undertones of patchouli (not out until September) – she declared it a “blonde” scent. It was light, fresh and sweet, which, as a brunette, “wasn’t for her”. My red-headed friend agreed with her thesis: people had told her that Sisley’s Eau de Soir suited her personality because it smelt “warm and quirky”. I disagree. I think scents are seasonal, like clothes: hot weather suits sheer and floaty, while warm and heavy embodies winter. The smell of coconut would seem out of place under the mistletoe, and the air of cloves would feel wrong at a beach bar in the South of “signature” scent that you wear year-round is a lovely romantic notion, but I think you should have two: one for summer and one for like summer perfumes that have a clarity and simplicity because, at this time of year, you also have the smell of suncreams and deodorants to contend with. Too many complicated notes and the result will be seeking an Eau de Soleil, look for energising and invigorating bouquets. Zesty citrus notes such as lemon, mandarin and grapefruit will bathe you in a shower-fresh smell. They are often combined with the warmer, edgier notes of vetyver and bergamot to help soften the year, flower-rich heart notes return. Florals are perfect for summer; they evoke memories of an English country garden. They are also more feminine and romantic than citrus-based scents. Although they are associated with elderly ladies, the new releases are modern, punchy is also in vogue. The scent is like Marmite: some love it, others hate it. I’m in the former camp – I think it is soft and feminine. A vanilla-based perfume is classier when mixed with piquant or fruity notes such as pink peppercorns or bergamot, as that stops it from being Spiritueuse Double Vanille (£135, )La Maison de Guerlain fragrances are available in Harrods from July. This spicy vanilla scent with a woody cedar central note is my Malone White Tie and Tiara 2010 Cologne (£75, )A limited-edition mixture of summer flowers and fruit. The elegant scent blends jasmine and orange blossom with hints of pineapple and (£, )“Grapevine leaf crumpled between the fingers” reads the blurb for this fragrance’s unusual top note. Watermelon is the heart note, while the base notes are sandalwood and vanilla. Sounds crazy, smells ’Occitane Paeonia Eau de Toilette (£28, )A rich floral centred around heart notes of peonies and roses. Finished with a top note of grapefruit to create a fresh yet romantic No 9 Harrods Rose (£90, )The New York perfumery has created a divine scent, but with a terrible name. Mixes white rose and tuberose with a musky base.