Until recently, I was unknowingly committing what some people consider a cardinal sin of olfaction: wearing perfume on a plane. That was until I came across a TikTok that said: “There should be a law against wearing perfume in economy.” There are others that firmly agree that wearing perfume in enclosed spaces should be “illegal”, with comments flooded by people with fragrance allergies, those who get migraines from strong perfume, or those who just have a personal aversion to Mugler’s Alien. As people debate over wearing perfume to work, in class or even just “too much” fragrance in public, it’s clear everyone has a different preference and tolerance when it comes to what smells good. So, is spraying your favourite scent before heading out in public really discourteous? 

There’s a whole world online around what people call “fragrance etiquette”, filled with differing rules about where, when and how to spray your perfume. And one of the most important factors is how much you spray. “Whatever the situation, moderation is essential,” says etiquette instructor Katarina Bradacova. “Perfume should complement you, not dominate the space – it should linger gently rather than leave a strong trail.” While it’s common advice not to wear too much cologne, Bradacova says even spraying perfume in an enclosed space, like offices, aeroplanes or cinemas, should be avoided (another sin I’ve apparently been committing when dousing myself in duty-free perfumes at the airport).

“If we’re about to board an eight-hour flight, wearing a heavy scent could easily cause headaches or allergies for fellow passengers,” Bradacova says. “In such cases, using little or no perfume is the more thoughtful choice.” If you are spending the day outside, however, wearing more perfume is, according to Bradacova, more “appropriate”. “Every situation is different, so it’s important to consider the setting and adjust accordingly,” she adds.

For those who take pride in finding their signature scent and are chasing the Rihanna-like status of always smelling good in public, wearing no perfume at all in public could feel limiting. “For me, fragrance is all about self-expression and how I’m feeling,” says Gina Lin, a fragrance developer. “Scent ties closely to memory for me, so I like to have different perfumes for different occasions and different parts of my life.” That being said, Lins warns against going “nose-blind” to your own scent: according to her, a couple of sprays is plenty. “Fragrance should feel like a personal touch, not a public announcement,” she says.

Even as a fragrance-lover, Lin admits that she doesn’t wear perfume to work (mostly because she’s smelling scents all day), but she does enjoy it when others do. “I actually love when my coworkers wear perfume, it often sparks fun conversations,” she says. “I think that’s one of the most special things about fragrance: it connects people.” And there is a case for not demanding or expecting that everyone you come in contact with will be wearing a neutral scent, or none at all. After all, existing in a public space means that – no matter how mindful people are – not every sound, smell or sight will be (or should be) exactly to your taste. 

I actually love it when my coworkers wear perfume; it often sparks fun conversations. I think that’s one of the most special things about fragrance: it connects people – Gina Lin

Sage Adams, a Brooklyn-raised artist, says they grew up around family members who are “scent sensitive”, but always admired people’s fragrances. “It always stuck with me, going to friends’ houses, that there are certain smells that remind me of people from childhood,” they say. “I always wish I had left that impression, but never really got to.” Then, a couple of years ago, Adams was gifted Aesop's Aurner fragrance, and they haven’t stopped wearing it since. “I do think perfume sets a tone, and there are impressions that come from the other senses, and we kind of ignore that,” they say. “It’s also a generationally defining thing, right? We have access to all these ‘trends’ where all the people who wear a certain shoe also smell the same way.” 

Emelia O'Toole, who goes by “Professor Perfume” on social media, says that, to her, fragrance is not only a form of self-expression but a hobby. “I think everyone should find a scent they absolutely adore,” she says. “That being said, I think sometimes a scent bubble can become a scent bomb fairly quickly. I'm all for an overspray – it's the surefire way to get compliments – but I shouldn't be able to smell you from a block away.”

O'Toole’s personal philosophy is that if there’s anywhere she wouldn’t want to smell a hefty dose of perfume, like trains, buses, the doctor’s office or even luxury restaurants (so as not to interfere with tasting food), she doesn’t wear it. “I wear perfume almost every single day of my life, but I also know that I'm not the only person on earth who has to be around me,” she says.

The hill O’Toole says she’ll die on is that she, too, thinks perfume should be prohibited on aeroplanes. “But I honestly don’t think there are any absolute no-nos,” she says. “We’re all certainly entitled to our own opinions, but ultimately when we’re talking about public spaces, people are free to do, and smell, as they please.” And there are many people who do enjoy coming across a whiff of perfume in public. Nevena, a 17-year-old in Chicago whose mum works at a perfume store, says she thinks fragrance adds another layer to people’s character. “Each scent that every person wears gives a different edge to someone’s personality,” she says. “When you put on an outfit, the scent really puts it together and provides an extra sense that’s not only visual and can leave a lasting impression.”

There will never be a general consensus on wearing perfume in public, and maybe admitting that no one has the absolute authority on smell is the place to start. Doing what makes you feel good while always being mindful of other people – and that you don’t exist in a vacuum – is a solid rule of thumb for doing anything in shared spaces. After all, the most annoying parts of living alongside other people can also be the most beautiful. As Nevena puts it: “When I sit next to someone on the bus and they’re wearing a strong scent, it brings back a memory; it makes me wonder, where have I smelled this before?”