Best designer perfumes for women and men

Top pick: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle (women) — the safest designer choice there is: bright citrus over rose and patchouli, strong ratings, and it works from office to evening. Dior Sauvage (men) is the men's equivalent: fresh-spicy and universally liked, hard to get wrong as a gift.

Who the others suit:

• YSL Libre — for someone who likes a warm lavender-vanilla scent with presence.
• Prada Paradoxe — modern, clean floral for a younger, everyday wearer.
• Flowerbomb — sweet and bold; a statement scent, not a subtle one.
• Prada Paradigme — a softer, more refined men's option than Sauvage.
• Creed Aventus — the splurge for a collector who wants a recognizable luxury icon.
• Le Male Le Parfum — sweet, night-out men's scent.

Concentration matters: eau de parfum lasts longer than eau de toilette, so start there for gifts.