If sophistication, glamour, and sex appeal could be bottled in a light, spicy scent for everyday wear, the combination would smell a lot like Armani Code ($72.50; sephora.com). The basis of Code's magnetism is a menagerie of exotic ingredients, from Tunisian orange blossom and Sambac jasmine to Madagascan vanilla. Even the bottle itself is seductive, wrapped in a shadowy lace print and shaped to signify the sultry bends of a woman’s body.

But while the name is enigmatic and the scent a bit mysterious, Code is suprisingly fresh, elegant, and versatile. After a zesty orange-blossom opening, notes of lush jasmine and lavender honey steal the stage, then give way to a warm base of vanilla and woods. A faint hint of ginger is evident from the first and lingers throughout the drydown.

Far from a power-bitch aroma, Code merely hints at the inner vixen that lurks below the surface, so you can wear it day or night, from the office to an evening out on the town. A spritz won't come cheap, which is no surprise given that it comes from the first family of classic couture. But for fragrance enthusiasts tired of having to choose between summer's generic fruity-florals or smelling like a field of gardenias, this charismatic scent is a more distinctive option. Plus, it's not too summer-specific, so it should take you well into fall. --Janelle Harris

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