A work-appropriate fragrance doesn't have to be workaday. "There are plenty of light scents that are appropriate for the office, but also sophisticated and complex," says Calice Becker, a perfumer at Givaudan.

She suggests testing a new fragrance on the weekend: "If it wears off after a few hours, it's light enough for the office. Anything that stays on your skin for eight hours is too strong," she says. That's because light notes (like green and citrusy ones) have a smaller molecular size than heavy ones (like patchouli and woody notes), so they evaporate faster.

When you're at the counter, ask the salesperson for a fragrance with green notes, like rosemary and geranium, light florals, such as jasmine and lily, or citrus notes, including orange and bergamot. If you want to be safe, stick with Becker's favorite office-perfect scents: Bvlgari Pour Homme, Chanel Chance, and Jo Malone Wood Sage & Seat Salt. Avoid powdery fragrances, patchouli (unless you work on a commune), and overly fruity scents. "They're too sweet, and they often smell girly," says Becker. "People tend to pick up on that subliminally."