These Are the Only Perfumes We’re Wearing This Autumn
The moment summer ends and we feel the faintest chill in the air, we want to overhaul everything, from our wardrobes to our skincare. Fragrance is usually first in line. Scents that worked so well just a month ago suddenly feel a bit out of place, and we find ourselves reaching for weightier options. Think spice, smoke, woods, and, yes, the occasional pumpkin note thrown in for good measure.
The good news? Today’s autumn fragrances go far beyond what’s expected — we’re talking notes of salted caramel popcorn, chocolatey tobacco, and boozy black cherry. Keep scrolling for the ones that made the cut.
Kylie Cosmetics Velvet Brew EDP
Coffee scents often veer towards the sugary, but this one takes a more sophisticated route. Hazelnut and plum open smooth and faintly sweet, before coffee flower and orange blossom lend the heart a softness you don’t see coming. The dry-down is what earns it a place here: roasted coffee and patchouli, earthy and deep, ideal for that late dinner reservation. Wear it alone or, as the brand suggests, layer it to shift the mood.
Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir EDP
If you like your scents sensual, whatever the season, add this one to your list. Black cherry and a bitter edge of almond open things up, before L’Interdit’s signature white florals (orange blossom, jasmine, and tuberose) take over, with a hint of oak underneath. Then the base turns properly heady, with rum, davana, and vanilla. As the Elixir name suggests, this is L’Interdit turned right up, so you might want to spray when the sun goes down.
Le Monde Gourmand Pumpkin Crème EDP
Consider this your pumpkin spice latte in fragrance form. Le Monde Gourmand’s seasonal favourite Pumpkin Crème opens with pumpkin spice and nutmeg, before moving into an unusual frothed milk note that softens the spices and turns the scent creamy rather than sugary. Sandalwood and musk keep things smooth at the base for that ultimate cosy feeling.
Maison Margiela Replica Autumn Vibes EDT
With a name like Autumn Vibes, it would’ve been rude not to include it. This Fanny Bal fragrance opens on the spicier side — pink pepper, coriander, and cardamom hit first. Then nutmeg and frankincense kick in alongside carrot seed. It sounds like an odd note, sure, but it adds a sharp, earthy richness. The dry-down relies on cedar, moss, and fir balsam to deliver that leaf-crunching, walk-through-the-woods feeling.
Viktor&Rolf Bonbon Caramel Crunch EDP
If we’re being honest, when Viktor&Rolf’s latest Bonbon iteration landed on our desk, we were dubious about the popcorn. But it really works. The gourmand fragrance opens with that warm, buttery popcorn note before moving into salted caramel and finishing with soft vanilla. It’s sweet, yes, but that hit of salt prevents a sugar rush. It’s about as close as you’ll get to bottling Bonfire Night — minus the smoke in your hair.
Byredo Future Memories EDP
It’s hard to think of autumn fragrance notes without vanilla entering the picture. That warm, sweet, and heavy profile is perfect for the cosy months, but Byredo’s Future Memories takes it somewhere unexpected — in the best way possible. The eau de parfum opens green and slightly sharp, with galbanum, blackcurrant, and aldehydes. Then it softens. Iris, orange blossom, and labdanum take the edge off, and by the time the base comes through, vanilla has well and truly taken over, complicated by a boozy liqueur note and plenty of musk.
Tom Ford Tobacco Chocolat EDP
We get it, chocolate and tobacco are an unusual fragrance pairing, but as ever, Tom Ford makes it work, and it couldn’t be more autumn-ready. Roasted tobacco leaves and dark chocolate combine into one rich, smoky note, brightened by orange and given a peppery edge by akigalawood, a spicy wood. Patchouli and warm Peru balsam add depth, while Ambrofix lends a smooth, amber-woody finish. Think of it as a chocolate orange scent for grown-ups. Yes, it’s a splurge. But as investment scents go, this one earns its price tag.