18 Fall Fragrances That Pass the Sniff Test
“Fragrances tend to be a bit more serious and sophisticated as the seasons change,” notes Givaudan perfumer Jacques Huclier. As the weather gets cooler, we tend to pile on the layers—with fragrance taking the form of an invisible piece of clothing. But finding the right scent isn’t as simple as throwing on a cozy, chic sweater (or, in most of our cases these days, a pair of sweatpants). It’s all about unearthing the notes that we connect to and how they relate to each other to capture the right mood. Woody combos can conjure warmth; while bright, citrusy aromas have the ability to transport us to sunnier destinations.
Whatever your scent preference, you’ll find below an array of the latest olfactives to help you smell better this autumn—including two luxe selections from Black perfumers.
1Chanel Coco Mademoiselle L’Eau Privée, $125, chanel.com
Chanel’s in-house perfumer Olivier Polge envisioned this updated oriental—a fresh veil of rose, jasmine, and musk notes—to be spritzed before a nighttime romp.
2Ellis Brooklyn ISO Gamma Super Eau de Parfum, $100, sephora.com
Ambergris and cedarwood provide a light, clean finish to this minimalist green scent.
3Kilian Roses on Ice Carafe, $700, bykilian.com
Kilian Hennessy pays tribute to his family’s liquor heritage with an alcohol-inspired fragrance collection. With Roses on Ice, he reimagines his wife’s favorite drink—gin on the rocks—as an intoxicating spirit with splashes of rose juniper, cucumber, and sandalwood.
4Maison Francis Kurkdjian L’Homme À la Rose, $275, franciskurkdjian.com
The master perfumer redefines masculine woodsy with a simple rose.
5Mikimoto Eau de Parfum, $275, mikimitoamerica.com
Iris and magnolia evoke an air of extravagance and magnificence—much like the storied jeweler’s cultivated pearls.
6Byredo Tobacco Mandarin Extrait de Parfum, $330, byredo.com
Bright citrus adds an interesting element to this swath of smokiness cloaked in leather.
7Kimberly New York Diaspora Eau de Parfum, $99, kimberlynewyork.com
The effervescent mix of champagne, pear, and Fuji apple in this unisex eau represents the sparkling uniqueness of the African diaspora.
8Dior J’Adore Eau de Parfum Infinissime, $145, dior.com
The addition of tuberose and sandalwood provides a sensual update to the French maison’s classic floral mix of jasmine sambac, centifolia rose, lily of the valley and ylang-ylang.
9Aerin Ambrette de Noir, $240, aerin.com
White peony and freesia seamlessly combine with vanilla bourbon, cedarwood, and rare ambrette seeds in this floral delight.
10Parfums de Marly Pegasus Exclusif, $375, parfums-de-marly.com
Pink pepper, cardamom, and bergamot refresh the Parisian brand’s famed bittersweet almond and vanilla concoction.
11Perfect Marc Jacobs Eau de Parfum, $128, macys.com
To the designer, perfect might not mean perfection but for us, his newest scent featuring rhubarb and daffodil accords is pretty close.
12Jo Malone London Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense, $195, jomalone.com
Cypress and vetiver encapsulate the aromatic freshness of this verdant fragrance, which was inspired by the trees of the ancient Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
13Escentric Molecules Escentric 05, $85, luckyscent.com
When longing for the sun-baked days of summer, simply take a whiff of this spicy, aqueous aroma to transport you to a Mediterranean paradise.
14Rebecca Minkoff Eau de Parfum, $95, rebeccaminkoff.com
Tobacco adds a bit of rugged flavor to this jasmine-and-coriander fusion.
15Acqua di Parma Colonia Futura Eau de Cologne, $170, sephora.com
Bergamot, clary sage, and lavender notes harken to the luster of Italian, sun-filled landscapes.
16Giorgio Armani My Way Eau de Parfum, $126, sephora.com
The natural ingredients—orange blossom, tuberose, and vanilla—are ethically harvested and extracted in this free-spirited artisanal fragrance.
17Gucci Bloom Profumo di Fiori, $130, macys.com
Alessandro Michele’s latest offers a radiant, luminous twist on the magnificent white floral signature of the original.
18Motif Olfactif Makai Extrait, $110, motifolfactif.com
This limited-edition tropical elixir concocted by a Black perfumer has us dreaming of Hawaiian island getaways.