"Warm summer weather tends to bring out floral, fruity or fresh notes in fragrances," says Laksmi Sam, beauty director for the Midwest region of Nordstrom and a former fragrance buyer.

"The latest trends in fragrances are lighter, more summarized versions of classic favorites," she says, citing less heavy scents, such as Issey Miyake 'L'Eau D'Issey summer fragrance, Coach Limited Edition summer fragrance and Burberry Summer.

This summer, Sam says that the most popular fragrances are modern florals and fruity fragrances. "We see more romantic floral scents growing in popularity," she says, "because they're feminine and light, not heavy and bold." She suggests experimenting with Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh, Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle or Love, Chloe.

"Our customers are also responding well right now to fragrances that are alluring with sweet, ripe fruits and warmed with hints of vanilla or musk," she adds. A few examples: Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Hanae Mori Eau De Collection No. 3 and Coach Poppy.

If you prefer crisp "outdoorsy" summer scents, Sam recommends Giorgio Armani Acqua de Gioia, Narciso Essence Eau de Musc, and Prada Infusion D'Iris.

The "hot" new designer brands include Gucci Guilty, Versace Vanitas and Tom Ford Private Blend Neroli Portofino. "These designer fragrances are just as unique as the apparel designs by these different houses," says Sam.

And if you're not quite ready to give up your old favorites to try a new fragrance, Sam suggests trying a new body product in your favorite scent.

"You'll get the treatment benefits of lotion or shower gel," she says. "And you'll experience the scent in a new way with a delicate veil of fragrance on your skin, perfect for the summer season."

New body products to try: Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Moisture Mist, Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Ultimate Cashmere Bronzing Gelee or Tom Ford Private Blend Neroli Portofino Body Oil. According to Sam, "Each of these options will be easier on your wallet and will allow you the opportunity to experience your favorite scent in a new way!"

With more than 500 new perfumes and colognes introduced to the market every year, the prospect of purchasing a new fragrance can be daunting, so here are some more tips on getting out of a fragrance rut from the authors of "Perfumes: The Guide" by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez:

— You can't smell everything in one day, because eventually your sense of smell suffers fatigue. So, count on smelling at most between five and 10 fragrances on paper and testing one or two of those on skin. Once you find something on paper that you'd really like to get to know better, you can try it on your skin.

— Then leave the fragrance department in the store. Go out to lunch. See if it vanishes, bores, annoys or remains wonderful. Whatever you do, remember that many fragrances tend to change drastically after the first 20 minutes.

— When you love something, buy it. The fragrance may be discontinued or reformulated, and then you'll find yourself scouring estate sales and eBay auctions and bidding against other fools who didn't get it while they could.

Besides, these two fragrance experts admit, "one of the glories of perfume is that it is one of the most affordable luxuries in life, from the $15 eau de toilette sprays in the local pharmacy to the standard $40 to $60 eau de parfum at a beauty counter to a $300 bottle of Guerlain perfume in crystal, which lasts you for years."

And who says you have to have just one favorite fragrance? Why not try several new ones this summer? Go on and smell the cherry blossoms.

Image: Love, Chloe is one of Coty's newest fragrances that features a light, powdery scent combining floral and musky notes. Photo courtesy of Coty Prestige.