Q. I received a bottle of really expensive perfume. I was planning to wear it only for special

Q. I received a bottle of really expensive perfume. I was planning to wear it only for special occasions, but my daughter says I should use it daily. She says it will spoil if I don’t use it fast enough. Does this happen?

A. Your perfume won’t spoil, exactly, but it may lose some of its potency, and the top notes — the signature scent you smell when you first spritz the perfume — may fade or change slightly.

But if you store your special perfume in a cool, dark place (the refrigerator is ideal), it should last a year or two. So if you really love it, why not enjoy it every day?

And by the way, it’s not true that a change in color signals a change in the scent. Some fragrances just naturally darken over time.

Q. It is years since I bought new shoes — and it shows. Every pair in my closet is revoltingly shabby. It is so long since I was last in a shoe store, I have no idea what is in style. I need some heels for work (not too high) and some flats for the weekend. So what is in fashion?

A. Shoes are bright and shiny this summer. Popular colors include hot pink, turquoise and citrus shades such as orange and yellow, as well as multicolored prints. Patent leather is trendy. And wedge heels and platforms are in vogue.

But considering how infrequently you update your shoe wardrobe, you may want to avoid these passing trends, which will look sadly outdated a year from now. Invest in more classic styles instead — and choose the best-quality shoes you can afford.

Mid-heel pumps or slingbacks in black, navy, brown or light tan are smart choices for the office. Save the fun, funky, high-fashion sandals and flats for weekend wear.

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