The Wearing of the Green has been a tradition for centuries, normally in the form of a shamrock, which Saint Patrick would use to explain the Holy Trinity. I’m not sure how this tradition was started, but when I was a kid, if you forgot to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, you got pinched. After one year of being pinched nearly to death, to the point of trying to attach a leaf or blade of grass to myself to be spared, I never forgot again. Now that I am grown up and it is doubtful that I will be pinched like that again, I can wear my green in the form of fragrance.

While I was doing a bit of research on Saint Patrick’s Day, I discovered that the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the festival. Not having been brought up in the Church that explained a lot. Green beer, anyone?

Here are a few ideas on ways to wear your green, depending on your plans, and what might be fun drinks to enjoy:

If you are feeling elegant and are all dressed up for the festivities, try a smidge of the divine Vert pour Madame from DSH Perfumes. One of the most beguiling of green fragrances, it’s a luscious blend of foliage and florals. A clear front-runner in the retro trend that perfumistas are welcoming with open arms the world over, you’ll be wafting one of the most sensuous green scents on the market. An Emerald Isle or Irish Coffee would be the cocktail choices for you.

Speaking of florals, if pure greenery is not your cup of tea, try Cartier Baiser Vole, which is a translucent lily fragrance that offers up not only the flower but the leaves and stems as well. If your St. Patrick ’s Day will be spent stuck at work, Baiser Vole will keep your spirits lifted. Celebrate with a minty Shamrock Shake ™ on your lunch break.

For a casual, lively party, wear the lively and iconic Balmain Vent Vert. Although many lament the reformulation of this early entrant in the green perfume category, I have a recent version and it is lovely and fresh, with a mossy drydown. It is also a very pretty color of pale green, so a perfect choice for the day. Beer would be a great accompaniment, but it doesn’t have to be green.

Tasteful men (and discerning women) should spritz themselves with the beautifully revamped Houbigant Fougere Royale. Leafy and rich, you’ll have lots of admirers snuffling your neck. This is a perfume to stand the test of time and is a true classic. Perfect for wearing tweed and sipping Irish Whiskey.

A day centered around drinking and merriment has to have an emotional moment caused by a bit of overindulgence. Wear the stunning blend of green moss and spice that is Tom Ford Private Blend Moss Breches. The discontinuation of this perfume has caused a great wailing in the perfume community; what better way to lament its passing than by having a good cry in your umpteenth tankard of green beer?

There are a myriad of fragrances on the market that have various green notes. If you have a favorite in your wardrobe let us know which one you’ll be wearing this St. Patrick’s Day! If you leave a comment, you’ll be eligible to win a prize I am tempted to pretend doesn’t exist, so I can just say I won it myself: a 4.5 oz jar of DSH Perfumes Vert Pour Madame Crème, with 20% shea butter, thanks to the generosity of Dawn Spencer Hurwitz. This stuff is luscious. We will draw one winner on March 16, 2012 via random.org.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume.

-Tama Blough, Senior Editor