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I'm currently dreading the idea of the clocks moving back and the idea of packing away my sundresses sends me into a melancholic state. As someone who grew up in the tropical climes of Malaysia, there's little that excites me about cold weather. That said, I am a textbook optimist. While I can't stand the idea of being outdoors from October to February (if you need a beauty editor's guide to successful hibernation, let me know), I have learnt to embrace the cosier side of life. Heavy blankets, cashmere socks and spiced biscuits dipped in mugs of hot chocolate are all effective in lifting me out of my impending winter blues. That, and a generous spritz of the best autumn perfumes.
The best autumn perfumes ever
- Best for gender-neutral: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club EDT, £60
- Best for green: Diptyque Philosykos EDP, £153
- Best for powdery: Chanel Les Exclusifs de Chanel Comète EDP, £375
- Best for sandalwood: Giorgio Armani Prive Santal Dan Sha EDT, £125
- Best for opulence: Penhaligon's The Dandy EDP, £85
Anything heavier than a cologne can feel stifling in the summer heat, but in cooler weather, there's nothing I enjoy more than a cocooning, plush scent. Think sprinklings of delicious cinnamon and cardamom, woody notes that recall long evenings reading in a cabin with a fireplace, and soft musks that sit on skin like a beloved cardigan.
Perfumer Maya Njie agrees. 'I tend to gravitate towards more woody, leathery, musky and spicy notes such as cardamom, vetiver, patchouli and Virginian cedarwood this season,' she tells me. She's also a fan of enigmatic, powdery notes such as iris and violets alongside scents akin to woody forests and green stems. 'I find these notes both energising and comforting which is a plus as the temperatures drop and we layer up.'
She adds: 'Cardamom is special as it warms up as the day goes on. I think nutmeg reminds us of the aromas we smell in nature as autumn is in full swing,' explains Maya, whose go-to fragrance, Nordic Cedar from her namesake brand, is a gorgeous blend of cardamom and musk.
How to find your new autumn scent
Firstly, don't worry about the notes. A vanilla ingredient in one fragrance can smell completely different in another. Instead, I always recommend using a vibe as your starting point. Do you love smelling like a fresh bouquet of flowers or do you want to embody the scent of a deep red rose in a darkened room? Do you want something that offers calm and comfort or something that embodies old-world glamour?
Buying fragrances online can be tricky, so I've done the hard work of curating the best autumn perfumes and breaking down the respective moods. For good measure, in case you're curious, I've charted their main notes, too. Now go forth, and embrace your new autumn signature scent.
The best autumn perfumes for every personality
The vibe: Gifting my partner a bottle of Jazz Club remains one of the best things I've done for our relationship. He enjoys the mysterious vibe of a sumptuous 1920s underground jazz bar, and I love how divine this smells on skin. I find most 'cocktail-inspired' scents to be quite cloying and sweet, but this one is exquisitely smooth, cosy and warm. I've even stolen it for myself. Considering it is an EDT, the longevity is impressive - I can still smell it even after 12 hours of wear.
The notes: Rum, vetiver, vanilla bean
The vibe: As a loyal fan of fig fragrances, I am drawn to the creamy side of fig all year round - this means I'm never without a bottle of Philosykos on the dressing table. It's my fail-safe for days when I can't make my mind up, or simply need something comforting and reliable. The only difference? I dial it up from EDT to EDP in the autumn. It lingers for much longer, and the composition really enhances the plush, rounded facet of the fruit. Delicious, but still outdoorsy and fresh.
The notes: Fig leaf, coconut, cedar
The vibe: Pristine and refined. It smells like almonds covered in soft dustings of powdery iris petals. It's a hazy watercolour scent, all dreamy tones with no rough edges. It pairs beautifully with a gown for a night at the ballet but I especially love wearing it with a worn-in white tee shirt, blue denims and box fresh trainers. The contrast feels ridiculously chic.
The notes: Cherry blossom, heliotrope, iris
The vibe: Cosy, but elevated. As the temperature drops, there's nothing I love more than being wrapped up in extra large blankets, ideally sat in front of a fireplace reading a hard-bound book. This is exactly that, but impeccably done to achieve the right balance of sweet sandalwood and warm, spicy cardamom.
The notes: Sandalwood and cardamom
The vibe: Modern day flapper girl. If your ideal Saturday night is spent downing late night champagne cocktails in a silk slipdress, The Dandy will get you in the mood for mischief and debauchery. It's plush but it sits close on the skin, so if you prefer a sensuous scent that doesn't overpower, get spritzing.
The notes: Whiskey accord, cedarwood, oakwood
The vibe: Rose-themed autumn perfume launches often skew rich and velvety, which is all well and good. But if you prefer your florals to be cosy but still uplifting, try Luce di Rosa (which literally means 'pink light'). It's a rose that's extended her summer vacation just a little longer in the Tuscan countryside, where the days are sunny and the nights feel balmy.
The notes: Black pepper, rose, mandarin
The vibe: A sexy, well-dressed citrus. Bitter Splash leans into the crisp, green side of the pomelo fruit (rather than its juiciness). Soft leather balances any tartness. If you love something fresh but want it just a little smarter for autumn, this is it.
The notes: Pomelo, leather
The vibe: An elegant statement. An acronym for 'A Part Of Me', APOM is designed to sit snuggly on the skin and radiate a dressing-table-in-an-old-manor feel. Essentially, it's old money meets quiet luxury, in a bottle.
The notes: Lavender, vanilla, amber
The vibe: If you have no qualms dressing up your Birkin with fun charms, brightly-coloured ribbons and colourful Twilly scarves, Barénia is for you. There's a burst of juiciness here that's guaranteed to brighten even the greyest of days, and the scent lingers for hours on end before settling to a softer finish.
The notes: Patchouli, butterfly lily
The vibe: Perfumer Jérôme Epinette perfectly captures the easygoing mood of strolling through the woodlands in the cool and crisp autumn air. An easy-to-wear scent with a gentle hint of roasted nuts and the softest touch of juicy figs.
The notes: Black pepper, oakmoss, cashmere woods
The vibe: Chic and minimalist. Inspired by a nostalgic photo of perfumer Maya Njie's sister in front of a Swedish cabin, Nordic Cedar has undertones of dry pencil shavings and earthy patchouli balanced with the gentle warmth of cardamom.
The notes: Patchouli, cedar wood
The vibe: This is a textbook, autumnal Pinterest board in a bottle and I can't get enough. A spritz conjures up images of old books, freshly baked spiced cakes, milky mugs of chai, thick cardigans in shades of caramel, wool skirts, Nancy Meyers movies and fluffy cats lounging by the fireplace. If Cosy Girl Autumn is your personality, this is your new signature scent.
The notes: Cardamom, sandalwood
The vibe: A favourite of senior e-commerce editor, Roberta Schroeder, this feels like a misting of dewy jasmines - leaves, stalks and all - sprayed in a damp rainforest. It’s an offbeat jasmine for the cool girl who’s devoted to her Alaias and a monochromatic wardrobe.
The notes: Bergamot, jazmín yucateco and vetiver
The vibe: Beauty writer Katie Withington is our resident gourmand fragrance lover, but if she had to pick one - it would be this, she tells me. 'It's just everything I love in a juicy cherry scent but it has the added touches of leather smoke and woody notes that makes it feel more sultry,' says Withington.
The notes: Dark cherry, saffron, leather
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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