The trail of fragrance left in the air as a wearer moves.
Also known as: scent trail
Not to be confused with: Projection
How far the scent radiates from you right now.
The scented trail that remains as you move.
How long the fragrance remains detectable at all.
Movement and surrounding airflow carry scented air away from the wearer. The result changes with the formula, application, setting and time since spraying. A trail is an observation in a particular situation, not a fixed property with an agreed measurement.
You enter a corridor just after someone leaves and catch a trace of their perfume.
“There is a soft sillage when I walk past, although the perfume stays fairly close at my desk.”
Sillage and projection are different observations. Neither a trail nor a large scent cloud proves that a fragrance will last all day.
| Aspect | Sillage | Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Trail behind movement | Reach around the wearer |
| Useful question | What lingers after someone passes? | How far away is it noticeable now? |
Use this definition beside sillage ratings. A rating describes a reviewer’s experience; it is not a distance measured in metres.
No external sources attached yet. This entry is based on accepted community usage and editorial review.
Reviewed October 9, 2026 by the Noteboxd editorial team.