Wearability is not high on the list of my priorities, when it comes to fragrances – or anything else, really. I tend to gravitate towards tarry leathers, austere irises and big white florals that nice people describe as statement-making and other people call scary.

This is the theory, at least. In reality, most things I’ve worn this winter have been almost boring. It is now scientifically proven that stress and crazy office hours make me crave gentle, subtle stuff – creamy or maybe even a bit powdery; light, but still with some substance. Here are my staples:

1. Lumiere Blanche by Olfactive Studio
My sister, who remains relatively uninterested in fragrances – despite my best efforts -, declared herself recently ready for a bottle of Lumiere Blanche. I say that everybody is ready for a bottle of Lumiere Blanche. This is a lovely, lovely scent: a milky, softly spicy wood fragrance. It has notes of almond and cardamom (that should be enough, really), but pale woods keep it from pudding territory. It works anytime, anywhere. And did I mention it was lovely?

2. Rue Cambon 31 by Chanel
Some people would argue that Rue Cambon doesn’t quite fit the description of a comforting, easy-to-wear fragrance. But for me, this is the perfect work scent: polished, restrained and classier than you (well, it’s classier than me, in any case), so at least you’ll never be let down by your fragrance. You can smell the famous Chanel iris and aldehydes and woods, but it’s so well blended and expertly balanced, that in the end it only smells like itself. This, by the way, seems to be a recurring theme.

3. Wood Sage and Sea Salt by Jo Malone
Now, I’d be the first one to say that I always imagine this as an early autumn scent. And it is indeed perfect for that time of year: it evokes a beach, but not one in Ibiza in July, but one in Normandy (or Estonia) in September. There’s driftwood, a slight saltiness, a touch of herbs and fruits. It’s not terribly sophisticated, but when I want something casual, it fits the bill perfectly, no matter the month.

4. Narciso by Narciso Rodriguez
Yes, it was the bottle. Well, at first it was the bottle. Then I started to like it, kind of against my better judgement (because boring). I didn’t really understand what I was smelling and was quite confused by my attraction towards this powdery, lightly musky, subtly flowery thing. I later learned that it features gardenia, probably my favourite floral note, which might explain some of it. I also didn’t own anything else like it: if Lumiere Blanche is an ivory cashmere sweater, Narciso is a tiny white mohair cardigan. And one of course needs both.

5. Fleur de Chine by Tom Ford
No matter how subdued you feel, there are still occasions that call for a grander perfume. Fleur de Chine is a bit of an anomaly in Tom Ford’s line-up: while it’s very, very glamorous, it is glamorous in a very, very subtle way. It’s nuanced and unique and I don’t really know what it smells like (see? I told you there was a theme). But if there are Art Deco bathrooms in heaven, the exquisite soaps in them smell like Fleur de Chine.