I had a bit of a moment last Sunday. It was about 10.13am, I was dressed in a lightweight linen number in preparation for sweltering weather outside, and as I went to reach for my usual couple of spritzes of Byredo Inflorescence – my current favourite – I just couldn’t do it. The air coming through the window was thick with warmth, the temperature rather humid and sticky and there certainly wasn’t anything like a hint of a breeze around. So the thought of dousing myself in a heady aroma seemed wrong. Completely wrong. It made me feel a bit sick, a bit claustrophobic in fact, and I put the bottle down immediately.

In hot weather, perfumes become unbalanced and, well, not quite right. They easily become headache-y and completely overpowering. Perfumer Lawrence Roullier White puts this down to the way perfumes behave in the heat. ‘The problem with scent is that it travels further and faster in the heat and can therefore become very overpowering. Colognes tend to be more zesty and light so make for an ideal alternative in hotter climates.'

"The problem with scent is that it travels further and faster in the heat and can therefore become very overpowering." - Lawrence Roullier White

The beauty of a cologne is that they’re far more simplistic and pared-back than most scents. They contain fewer notes and even then, the ones they do contain are very clean and straight-talking. ‘Citrus, lavender and herbs are traditionally used at the heart of a cologne, making for a light and fresh spritz when it’s sunny,’ Lawrence told me. Sounds like just the thing, and the trick is to apply them liberally and often.

Do yourself a favour – pack away your rich and full-bodied perfumes in favour of a lighter blend for this time of year; I defy you not to love it. The most delicious ones are in the gallery above, and my personal favourite is Frederic Malle Cologne Bigarade, which I feel might have to stay with me for longer than just the remaining summer weeks.