Sillage (pronounced "see-yazh") is the French word for the scent trail a fragrance leaves behind you as you move through a space. It's the invisible wake of fragrance that lingers after you walk by.
Sillage vs. Projection vs. Longevity
These three terms get confused constantly, but they describe different things:
Projection: How far your fragrance radiates from your body while you're standing still. A fragrance that projects well can be smelled from arm's length or further.
Sillage: The trail your fragrance leaves as you move. Good sillage means people can smell you after you've walked through a room. It's your olfactory footprint.
Longevity: How many hours the fragrance lasts on your skin before fading completely.
Fragrances Known for Strong Sillage
Dior Sauvage EDP, Versace Eros EDT, Stronger With You Intensely, Azzaro Most Wanted Parfum, and Afnan 9pm all leave impressive scent trails. These are the fragrances that make people turn around and say "something smells amazing" after you walk past.
When You Want Less Sillage
Strong sillage isn't always desirable. In offices, airplanes, and crowded indoor spaces, a tight scent bubble is more appropriate. Fragrances like Bleu de Chanel EDP, Montblanc Explorer, and Hermès H24 have moderate sillage that's noticeable up close without broadcasting across the room.