Don’t get me wrong. I am a summer baby through and through. I like the heat, I like floaty clothes, I like sun-kissed strands, I like freckled noses, and I really like the pared-backed beauty routine that so often comes with summer months. For the most part, I’m willing to say that I sort of loathe waving goodbye to summer.
Except, that is, when it comes to my fragrance collection. It sounds like an odd thing to say, I know, but the one thing that gets me really excited for autumn is surrounding myself with the seasonal scents. I’m an inherently cosy (read: lazy) person, and something about being snuggled up warm inside, enveloped by creamy, spicy scents makes my typically sun-drenched heart feel a little bit giddy.
For me, fragrance is life. I surround myself with scents everywhere I go, and I like them strong. When I spray perfume, I want everyone to tell me I smell great. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that being remembered for smelling good is somewhat of a life goal for me. And autumn is when my fragrance game really comes into its own.
There are few things better than nuzzling your nose into a great autumn perfume, whether it’s warm vanilla, creamy musk, smoky wood or earthy floral. And so, as the late-evening sun sets on the zingy citruses and fresh florals of summer, it’s time to swaddle ourselves in knitted jumpers and cosy up with the aromas of autumn.
Not sure where to start? Keep scrolling for the very best autumn fragrances out there.
Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden says that she returns to this fragrance religiously every autumn. “I adore musk scents as the days shorten, and this is my favourite perfume for the autumn months,” she says. “The pairing of osmanthus blossom, musk, patchouli and amberlyn make this and addictive scent that will cling to your scarf all season long—I’ll never not wear this iconic scent.”
Prefer something fresher among your autumn perfumes? “I’ve been wearing Phlur’s latest launch, Father Figure, a green, refreshing scent of waterlily, fig and creamy sandalwood which gives a fruity twist to the traditional woody scents that launch around autumn,” says Vousden.
This bottle of sheer beauty is without question the most exquisite perfume I have ever come across. In all of my years as a beauty journalist, I have never smelled a fragrance as distinct and beautiful as this. Even if you don’t like warm oud fragrances, I refuse to accept any notion that disputes Oud Éclat’s perfection. It’s creamy, musky and earthy with a hint of spicy sweetness that has you melting into your wrist with every sniff.
Like warm bread and just-baked pain au raisins, Honoré Delights embodies all of the chic luxury of stepping foot into a Parisian boulangerie or pâtisserie without any of the sickly sweetness. It’s sophisticated, mature and unarguably crowd-pleasing. I’m yet to find a soul who doesn’t go back to this one for second sniff.
While the zingy fruitiness of pear might traditionally be considered a lightweight note fit for spring, Jo Malone’s classic English Pear & Freesia has a way of calling out to you on crisp autumn days. It’s fresh, yes, but the woody base gives it a quintessential Englishness that makes it fit for cold October mornings.
If you are yet to experience the joy of smelling iris, I urge you to give it a go. It’s renowned as one of the most expensive notes in perfumery and is incredibly hard to extract and formulate with. However, when you find a perfume that gets it right, it’s impossible to ignore. It’s soapy but comforting, crisp but deep and leaves the nose asking a multitude of questions. This EDT combines the distinctive joys of iris with the iconic velvety notes of Molecule 01—like a garden full of blooms experiencing the first morning dew of the year.
This perfume has, without doubt, been the hit of the year—and autumn is the time it’s really set to come into its own. It’s floral and undeniably fresh, but deep powdery notes and hints of woodiness make it the perfect autumnal spritz.
Deep, woody and spicy, this new scent from Aesop is like autumn in a bottle. Even if you’re not a particular fan of powerful and warm fragrances, this juice has a zingy hint of black pepper and sandalwood that gives it a freshness like few others. It’s a feast for the senses. I’ve only had this in my possession for a few days, and I’ve already spritzed my favourite jumpers with it.
Rose scents are divisive, and I get it. They’re typically either really strong and heady or so sweet and light that they send deep perfume lovers running for the hills. This stuff, however, is different. It has all of the light, carefree joy of rose scents synonymous with spring and all of the comfort of a warm and creamy autumnal scent at the same time. If you need a little pick-me-up on cold autumn mornings, this will do the job—it really is joy in a bottle.
Few perfumes out there have the ability to stir attention quite like this one. It is, for lack of a better phrase, truly magnificent. With sandalwood, it’s deep, creamy, and long-lasting, but a touch of Turkish rose makes it jump out and sparkle. As the sun sets on an exceptionally hot summer and temperatures start to cool, this perfume is a welcome breath of fresh, autumn air—much like the break of heat during a desert sunset.
Imagine the smell of the first notable post-summer rainfall. The earth smells wet, fresh and totally sense-clearing. Now wrap up that feeling of cooling relief and bottle it—that’s When the Rain Stops. With hints of pine, moss, and pink pepper, it’s the sort of perfume to douse yourself in on a cold, crisp, totally carefree Saturday morning.
If you find yourself gravitating towards super-sweet, warming scents, Prada’s latest fragrance launch is for you. For starters, the bottle is the very definition of chic—it’s a dressing-table ornament for sure. Beyond the exterior, though, this perfume is a warming, gourmand delight. With neroli, it’s zingy and citrussy at first but soon dries down into a deep, warming amber musk. If you don’t like sweet perfumes, this one won’t be for you, but if you do? It’s a sure-fire hit that will have everyone ask after it.
If you haven’t had the total joy of smelling this perfume yet, get down to your local department store and try it immediately.It is, quite possibly, the most iconic fragrance of the past couple of years (despite actually launching many moons ago) thanks to a few viral TikToks. The reason it’s so popular? It’s stunning. Warming, sweet, and expensive smelling, it’s the sort of perfume that makes you want to nuzzle your face into it and get totally lost. I don’t like talking about notes when it comes to Baccarat Rouge 540, because none of them really come through individually—just know it’s warming, creamy, sweet, and totally captivating. The downside? It’s just as expensive as it smells, so I recommend going in for a smaller bottle before investing the big bucks.
Like autumn walks in a bottle, this stuff is undoubtedly earthy and fresh and works to de-stress the mind with every spritz. Think vetiver, cedarwood and pine that mingle together to open up the senses and the mind.
No one does autumnal scents quite like Diptyque, and this particular fragrance has become my favourite perfume of all time. Blended as an ode to the Parisian bar, Orphéon is powdery, smoky and totally unique. The only way I can describe it is it’s as if you’re wandering the beauty aisles of Harrods and you walk past a counter full of makeup powders and perfume. It’s that level of rich and inviting.
Close your eyes and imagine walking the rolling hills of Scotland on a crisp, sunny, autumn day, and you’ve got Paris-Édimbourg. It was blended as an ode to the Scottish highlands (a favourite destination for Gabrielle Chanel). It’s woody, mossy, fresh and head-clearing in the most delightful way. Layer up your knits, throw on a coat and scarf, and finish off with a spritz of this before you head out for an autumnal walk for the best feeling ever—just trust me.
You have never tried a perfume like this, believe me. When I first heard that Dior was launching an update on J’Adore, I rolled my eyes. It’s a cult-classic fragrance, so it seemed impossible that the brand could do anything more to elevate what already was. But now that I’ve tried it, I’m eating my words. A first of its kind, this perfume is formulated without alcohol—meaning it’s a gentle treat for your skin. The creamy blend literally melts into wherever it’s sprayed, becoming one with your skin. Like the original scent, J’Adore d’Eau is soapy, fresh and totally comforting, but this time, it’s enticingly skin-like. It’s the sort of perfume you want to soak yourself in just to spend a cosy day at home.
Next up, the 18 best Zara perfumes that should be on your vanity.
