Fashionable fragrances: The best picks this year

Here's a whiff of the latest trendy perfumes currently available in the Indian market!

Pardon the poor pun, but since it makes 'scents' to help readers choose from among the hundreds of fragrances that line shop shelves, we decided to bring you the best buys of 2013.

Be warned, though -- big brands and heady perfumes packaged in fancy bottles don't come cheap!

Davidoff Cool Water Sensual Essence for women

Launched last year, this offering from Davidoff is for ladies who want to smell like sensual sea nymphs -- no, not fishy, but with floral with a hint of vanilla.

Price: Approximately Rs 4,350 for 100 ml

Dahlia Noir literally translates as 'black dahlia', so it's hardly surprising that this perfume has a mix of exotic florals meant to evoke a sense of mystery.

Price: Approximately Rs 6,040 for 75 ml

This woodsy, somewhat spicy scent from the Spanish fashion house was released only this year, and has been created keeping in mind a flamboyant playboy type, a man of the world.

Price: Approximately Rs 4,750 for 100 ml

The packaging and name of this lovely fragrance aimed at young, chic ladies, is enough of a hint -- Signorina is sweet, feminine and fresh, with traces of both fruity and floral aromas.

Price: Approximately Rs 5,700 for 90 ml

It comes in a stunning black bottle with an old-world atomiser for diffused application -- this darkly alluring limited edition is truly a citrus delight.

Price: Approximately Rs 5,100 for 50 ml

Another successful citrus scent from Bvlgari, this one is for the guys -- and they can rejoice, because it's significantly cheaper than the exclusive Jasmin Noir L'Elixir!

Price: Approximately Rs 4,550 for 100 ml

This summery aroma wafts of lemon blossom and orange, along with a few floral and woodsy hints -- and the stopper carries a couple of really becoming pendants!

Price: Approximately Rs 4,500 for 100 ml

Fresh and sweet, the summer edition of Lauren's popular Romance fragrance gives off a mix of mandarin and guava notes.

Price: Approximately Rs 5,200 for 100 ml

A re-interpretation of the hugely successful original Aqua di Gio perfume, this edition is supposed to be much sexier, with less focus on the aqua component and more on amber and woodsy tones.

Price: Approximately Rs 5,500 for 75 ml

The simple, no-fuss advertisement of this perfume makes it easy to guess the inspiration behind it -- if you fancy smelling like the fragrant night-blooming jasmine, this one is right up your alley.

Price: Approximately Rs 6,500 for 90 ml

The American brand offers up two versions of Aqua for both sexes -- the ladies can look forward to an aquatic scent with overtones of white peony, Pink Lady apple, cucumber and apricot, and the men to a heady mix of citrus, lotus and green leaves.

Price: Approximately Rs 4,200 for 100 ml for women and approximately Rs 3,700 for 100 ml for men

Targeting the urban sophisticate, this elegant perfume from Arden made its debut less than a year ago and mixes orange blossom with hints of raspberry and a floral bouquet.

Price: Approximately Rs 3,475 for 100 ml

The cherry blossoms in the ad campaign reflect the fruitiness of this fashionable fragrance, complemented with undercurrents of apple and grapefruit.

Price: Approximately Rs 3,950 for 80 ml

This old favourite has seen several editions over the years, ever since its introduction in 2005; 2013's citrus, floral and musky flavours are intended to give it a modern twist.

Price: Approximately Rs 6,550 for 125 ml

Bold and invigorating, this latest offering from the house of Dior incorporates strong citrus notes, along with flowery bits.

Price: Approximately Rs 5,950 for 100 ml

Vanitas has been around for a couple of years, but it's still highly popular. With a strong twinge of lime and the slightest hint of cedar, it's ideal to freshen up with during the summery months.

Price: Approximately Rs 5,400 for 100 ml

Launched in 2012, Polo Blue Sport is a delicious fern-like fragrance of primarily green apple, mint, mandarin orange and cedar.

Price: Approximately Rs 4,800 for 125 ml

The priciest perfume on our list, purchasing a bottle of Les Exclusifs de Chanel 1932 is like buying a piece of fashion history -- it's inspired by the first-ever collection of fine jewellery that the French luxury house produced in 1932. The aroma is strongly floral and focuses on jasmine.

Price: Approximately Rs 15,050 for 200 ml

This trendy scent oozes sex appeal and is for unabashed sirens, its deep aroma reflective of tangerine, Bergamot oranges and incense.

Price: Approximately Rs 4,500 for 50 ml

These two perfumes from the house of Hilfiger are for young, sporty adults who still fancy a touch of class. The men's is stronger, of course, with hints of grapefruit and sage, while the women's contain notes of pink peppercorn and green apple.

Price: Approximately Rs 5,975 for 100 ml for women and Rs 5,100 for 100 ml for men

A rosy scent if ever there was one, Delicate Notes is also spliced with grapefruit and pear and targets feminine clientele.

Price: Approximately Rs 4,900 for 75 ml

And finally we come to The One Desire for beautiful, desirable women, its elegant black bottle holding a promise of potent ingredients -- primarily mandarin, lychee, Bergamot and lilies of the valley.

Price: Approximately Rs 7,990 for 75 ml