Some fragrances will suit different times of day better than others.

In the office, a lighter fragrance is generally more suitable; a heavier fragrance is best at night.

Wear the smells of the seasons, too. The smell of incense and wood is out of place in the summer, while citrus and fresh flower notes don't tend to suit the winter months.

Citrus Colognes

Fresh and energising, they will smell initially appealing but they will not last long. These have been worn by men for centuries to give refreshment, though they really started to be worn as a statement in the 1960s, when men started to wear fragrance on a daily basis.

Aromatic Fragrances

Lavender or herbal driven scents. They became more prominent in the late 1960s, as people sought fragrances with a more distinctive, fresh character.

Aquatic Fragrances

A development in the 1990s, these are based on marine notes and can often be identified by a maritime theme in their name and a watery character in the scent. They are fresh, cooling and transparent.

Fougère Fragrances

Meaning 'fern' in French, these are woody and mossy. When men's fragrance became more acceptable in the 1960s, most wore fougères. Fresh, powerful and unapologetically masculine, they are the traditional and sophisticated fragrance choice of gentlemen.

Chypre Fragrances

A mainstay of the 1970s, featuring warm, leathery notes combined with citrus freshness. They were originally intended to capture the smell of Cyprus - dry warmth, tree resins, citrus and a hint of white flowers - with a long-lasting and complex result. Today, all fragrances of this type are variations on the original theme.

Oriental Fragrances

Inspired by 'mysterious' Eastern smells, these are fragrances with big characters that often combine woody notes, and incense and spices. They came into prominence in male perfumery in the mid 1990s. Since then, the level of vanilla has increased in Oriental fragrances for men.

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