What are we searching for when we look for a fragrance? The possibilities can be as broad as you can imagine, a whole world of scents and perfumes to conjure up different emotions, senses and memories. The perfect Eau de Parfum should be a deeply personal scent that speaks to you like no other fragrance, the perfect fit for a given occasion, event or meeting, for which there can be no substitute. There’s a very good reason why Italian perfumes and fragrances are cited as the finest, as the country has a long and storied history of creating the finest Eau de Parfums with a reputation that is beyond repute.

However, for many of us this year, the opportunities for going to a perfumer in person and trying before we buy in a store have evaporated and it’s absolutely understandable why you would be wondering how on earth you can pick the right scent for you while browsing online. For others, the act of going into a department store and selecting a perfume is similarly intimidating, as we browse the bottles under the watchful eye of the person behind the counter and wonder how exactly we’re supposed to know which is the right fit from all these options.

Don’t worry: help is at hand. We have put together a guide to choosing the perfect Italian Eau de Parfum to help you decide what your new favourite fragrance will be.

What Scent Speaks To You?

Let’s start with a question that only you can answer. Just as every person is unique, so is every fragrance, and the notes that each Eau de Parfum has to offer will speak to everyone differently. One of the great powers that perfumes have is to conjure a sense or memory that will transport not only the man or woman wearing it, but the people around them.

Think carefully about the scents that have that power for you. Is it the refreshing briskness of salt to take you to those idyllic days by the ocean? Or the feeling of walking through a forest on a damp autumn day? Or, is it something more exotic, something that will transport you to a remote desert on a beautiful summer night, a speciality of a brand like Lorenzo Villoresi?  It is worth reminding yourself of the notes and olfactory families of the scents you’ve enjoyed in the past, and the ones that bring you the most pleasure.

When Are You Planning On Wearing It?

This might not be the first thing you think about when buying a perfume, but it’s actually very important indeed. If you’re planning on wearing your new fragrance on a still, calm day, then a subtler scent will work wonders. During the summer, there are already plenty of floral fragrances to be found, so an evening garden party is not the place to wear a dominant, musky perfume.

If you’re heading out into a cold, stormy winter’s night, then a hardier, stronger fragrance will be needed to endure the inclement conditions. For your Eau de Parfum to have a chance of standing up against the rain, the fog and the heaters blasting out air, you’re going to want a muskier or spicier scent. In the kind of weather we’re enjoying at the moment, the right fragrance can keep you the warmth and comfort of a cashmere sweater. The setting and climate of the location are key to making the right decision.

Do Your Research And Don’t Rush

Just like anything else, the trick to finding the perfect perfume is research. A search for Italian niche perfumes should make sure that you’re steered well clear of the bottles you’ll find lining the shelves of the supermarket with bulk buy offers. What you’re looking for is a sense of tradition.

You want to find a company with a long and storied history, a legacy coupled with innovation to offer both classic scents and bold new fragrances. For example, Officina delle Essenze has a range of made in Italy perfumes ranging from the sweet, gentle vanilla of Caldo Gourmand to the exotic intensity of Caldo Legnoso, and their history dates all the way back to a family perfumery near San Pietro in Rome in the 1950s. A brand with history is a brand that you can trust.

Who Is It For?

We have already gone over the importance of knowing which notes and scents work for you when it comes to picking the perfect Italian Eau de Parfum, but what if it’s a gift? Think about the fragrances that the intended recipient has worn in the past and their favourite travel destinations. If you have a base level of knowledge to work from, it can be quite easy to make an excellent educated guess, and many big companies, such as Montale, break down their scents into simple groups like spice, wood and leather. A gift of perfume is an intimate one and shows you know the recipient. Things are going to be very different this Christmas but the right scent can remind you of how happy, safe and loved you are.