Why Every Party Needs Its Own ‘Scent Code’
December 18 | 5 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
While a spritz of fragrance is often thought of as the 'finishing touch' to an outfit, at MECCA HQ, we’d argue it’s as essential as the outfit itself (some of us even pick the scent before we’ve picked the dress).
As an office full of self-professed fragrance obsessives, we’ve also begun lobbying for a new party rule: scent codes. Imagine invitations that don’t just say ‘black tie’ or ‘summer cocktail,’ but gently suggest the vibe your fragrance should bring.
Not only would you never have to encounter an overpowering cologne on a dance floor again, but every event you walked into would become a beautiful, harmonious olfactory experience. From your corporate holiday 'do to a summer festival, consider this your cheat sheet to the scent codes we’re following for every kind of event.
Your Corporate End-of-Year Party
For functions involving coworkers – and most importantly, your boss – it’s smart to adopt the same rules you would for your wardrobe: amp up the glamour but save anything potentially polarising for that festival you have coming up (more on that later). Opt for scents that are sophisticated, with sillage that can last through canapé hour, a too-long selection of speeches and if you’re game, the after-party.
Known for their crowd-pleasing, cross-family fragrances, BYREDO scents offer desk-to-dinner-party versatility without feeling too pedestrian. Bal D'Afrique Absolu De Parfum is an intensified version of the cult-classic original – a sweet, citrus-forward scent with a creamy-woody dry down. Blanche Absolu is another compliment-getter, but more sparkly, floral and aldehydic. Neither ever feel overwhelming; both are guaranteed to last all night.
Known for their crowd-pleasing, cross-family fragrances, BYREDO scents offer desk-to-dinner-party versatility without feeling too pedestrian. Bal D'Afrique Absolu De Parfum is an intensified version of the cult-classic original – a sweet, citrus-forward scent with a creamy-woody dry down. Blanche Absolu is another compliment-getter, but more sparkly, floral and aldehydic. Neither ever feel overwhelming; both are guaranteed to last all night.
Family Long Lunch
Hours of eating, drinking and making small talk with distant cousins calls for a fragrance that a) won’t irritate your mum’s sensitive nose and b) won’t interfere with the indulgent multi-course meal. If you want to play it safe, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 is the ultimate you-but-better scent – a delightful, pheromone-based fragrance that changes based on your skin chemistry.
Green, citrusy, aquatic scents also tend to work well here and always feel right during the warmer months. If the meal is heavy, keep the fragrance light! TSU LANGE YOR’s Sala EDP is a quintessential summer scent. It’s the kind of verdant floral that evokes the whole bouquet – leaves, petals, stems and all. For something a little more tropical vacation-adjacent, DIPTYQUE’s Ilio is a breezy blend of iris, bergamot and prickly pear, inspired by beach days on the Mediterranean.
Green, citrusy, aquatic scents also tend to work well here and always feel right during the warmer months. If the meal is heavy, keep the fragrance light! TSU LANGE YOR’s Sala EDP is a quintessential summer scent. It’s the kind of verdant floral that evokes the whole bouquet – leaves, petals, stems and all. For something a little more tropical vacation-adjacent, DIPTYQUE’s Ilio is a breezy blend of iris, bergamot and prickly pear, inspired by beach days on the Mediterranean.
A Summer Music Festival
If there was ever a moment, this one – in the middle of the mosh pit, wearing some combination of swimwear, hiking boots and daytime glitter – is when you should be whipping out your head-turning scents. You want a fragrance that feels provocative and playful, and BORNTOSTANDOUT’s Indecent Cherry EDP is exactly that. With notes of sour cherry and strawberry, it's fruity, fizzy and tangy, like the drink you waited 45 minutes in line to get.
Another brand known for its unique, high-concept fragrances, D.S. & Durga’s Cowgirl Grass EDP is an earthy-floral number best paired with boots and Daisy Dukes (both of which you might be wearing). The blend of peony, lychee and grass is tart, but with some depth – the perfect perfume to wear while waiting for the sun to go down.
Another brand known for its unique, high-concept fragrances, D.S. & Durga’s Cowgirl Grass EDP is an earthy-floral number best paired with boots and Daisy Dukes (both of which you might be wearing). The blend of peony, lychee and grass is tart, but with some depth – the perfect perfume to wear while waiting for the sun to go down.
That One Wedding on New Year’s Eve
If you’re spending the final night of the year watching your loved ones tie the knot, you need a scent that’s going to keep the celebratory mood going from the vows to the midnight countdown. Vilhelm Parfumerie are masters of the special-occasion fragrance, and Sparkling Jo EDP is a scent made for summer weddings. Bubbly, bright and aldehydic, it smells like a glass of the finest champagne, served with a dessert of poached pears and ginger.
Another joyous, effervescent scent, there’s nothing quite like Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s beloved Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP. The notes of saffron, jasmine, and amber are surprisingly sparkly, with a dry down that smells like spun sugar and cedarwood. A beautiful, dressed-up scent that will put everyone – you included – in the right mood.
Another joyous, effervescent scent, there’s nothing quite like Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s beloved Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP. The notes of saffron, jasmine, and amber are surprisingly sparkly, with a dry down that smells like spun sugar and cedarwood. A beautiful, dressed-up scent that will put everyone – you included – in the right mood.
Friendsmas Dinner
Instead of a pavlova or an Ottolenghi salad, bring the dessert to this year’s potluck in the form of an indulgent, almost-edible gourmand. Sugary without being cloying, notes of vanilla, caramel, coffee and honey offer all the comfort of a home-baked treat, without the clean up. If you’ve been searching for a perfect grown-up vanilla, PHLUR’s Vanilla Skin EDP is exactly that – an elevated, delectable scent with a base of benzoin and sandalwood, topped with cashmere and pink pepper.
If you’re partial to pistachio ice-cream, D.S. & Durga’s Pistachio EDP is the creamy, nutty, salty scent for you. Spiked with patchouli, vanilla and cardamom, it’s a photorealistic pistachio fragrance that never feels too sweet. Rich, smooth and addictive!
If you’re partial to pistachio ice-cream, D.S. & Durga’s Pistachio EDP is the creamy, nutty, salty scent for you. Spiked with patchouli, vanilla and cardamom, it’s a photorealistic pistachio fragrance that never feels too sweet. Rich, smooth and addictive!
