I’ve Just Switched Out My Perfume Tray for Autumn. These Are the 7 Scents I’ll Be Wearing All Season
Main image – Courtesy of writer
The arrival of autumn usually signals the annual wardrobe switchover. Me? I’m far more excited to start spritzing my favourite autumn scents.
Warm, woody, earthy, spicy and slightly smoky notes take pride of place on my perfume tray, and there are always a few fragrances I find myself returning to year after year. From comforting, skin-like scents to richer, moodier blends, these are the standout autumn perfumes well worth investing in if you fancy a little seasonal switch-up.
Maison Margiela REPLICA Autumn Vibes
Let’s face it, it doesn’t get much more autumnal than a perfume called ‘Autumn Vibes’. This scent from Maison Margiela REPLICA has been formulated to evoke sensory memories of walks on woody trails, surrounded by seasonal leaves, blending spicy pink pepper and cardamom with earthy carrot seed, cedarwood and moss.
It has a smoky sweetness, with a hint of earthiness thrown in for good measure. Think wandering through a rural village just after the rain, with the warmth of a crackling fireplace drifting from somewhere in the distance. It feels cosy and comforting. The perfect final layer to an outfit dominated by chunky knits as the weather steadily gets cooler.
SHOP MAISON MARGIELA AUTUMN VIBES
£127 (100ml) from Sephora UK
$170 (100ml) from Maison Margiela US
MERIT Retrospect
Retrospect is the debut fragrance from minimalist beauty brand MERIT. Described as a ‘second skin’ scent, it blends fresh pear and bergamot with a delicate floral heart of jasmine, rose and violet. Warm vanilla, musk and moss add a comforting depth.
There’s something about this fragrance that feels wholly contemporary and, well, cool. From the blend of notes to the bottle itself, which doubles as a beautiful sculptural addition to your dressing table. It brings to mind drizzly autumn days, but with a freshness that can’t help but perk things up a little. It’s also surprisingly travel-friendly. I find it small enough to slip into my bag whenever I’m venturing a little further from home.
SHOP MERIT RETROSPECT
From £30 from MERIT UK
From $34 from MERIT US
Jo Loves Amber Lime & Bergamot
One I always receive compliments on, Jo Loves Amber Lime & Bergamot has earned its place on my dressing table autumn after autumn. Fresh bergamot, mandarin and pink pepper open the scent, giving way to a heart of blackcurrant, white amber, cedarwood and lime. A rich base of suede, patchouli and vetiver brings a slightly smoky warmth, balancing the citrusy freshness with a bit more sensuality.
It’s a perfume that moves effortlessly from day to night, somehow feeling equally at home in both. There’s also something about it that feels particularly suited to rainier days. Those are the moments I find myself reaching for it most.
SHOP JO LOVES AMBER LIME & BERGAMOT
£135 (100ml) from Jo Loves UK
$180 (100ml) from Jo Loves US
D.S. & DURGA Debaser in Bloom
Who says that florals are only for spring? This fragrance from D.S. & DURGA would beg to differ. A floral reimagining of the brand’s cult-favourite Debaser fragrance, it opens with fresh white currant and rosemary flower that gives way to a creamy heart of fig and gardenia. Musk, coconut husk and raspberry leaf round things off.
It reminds me of wandering through a flower garden after an autumn shower. Or taking a walk through the woods just after the rain, when everything smells somehow sweeter.
SHOP D.S. & DURGA DEBASER IN BLOOM
£155 (50ml) from D.S. & DURGA UK
$225 (50ml) from D.S. & DURGA US
BYREDO Future Memories
The most recent launch from BYREDO, Future Memories, is a unisex scent that blends fresh blackcurrant and green galbanum with a soft floral heart of iris and orange blossom. Warm vanilla, amber and musk also add a creamy, comforting depth, creating a scent that feels both fresh and subtly sweet.
It’s one of those scents you find yourself saving for special occasions. The kind that feels right at home in a dimly lit cocktail bar, sipping something sweet while waiting out a sudden autumn downpour.
SHOP BYREDO FUTURE MEMORIES
£155 (50ml) from John Lewis UK
$235 (50ml) from Sephora US
All Saints Naked Woods
Despite this perfume’s £80 price tag, it packs a powerful punch with some serious staying power. Naked Woods opens with fresh bergamot, crisp apple leaves and tart rhubarb, giving way to a floral heart of geranium and orris, with a hint of spicy pink pepper. Warm amber woods, clearwood and soft skin musk create a woody finish that lingers on the skin.
There’s something undeniably sophisticated about this smoky, unisex scent. But despite its depth, it never feels too intense for daytime wear. In fact, I find myself reaching for it just as often during the day as I do for evenings out.
SHOP ALLSAINTS NAKED WOODS
£80 (100ml) from AllSaints UK
$72 (30ml) from Scent Beauty US
Escentric Molecules Molecule 02
Amidst an ever-growing collective of complex fragrance blends, Escentric Molecules Molecule 02 stands proudly with just one sole note: Ambroxan. Fresh, musky and almost mineral-like, it has a subtle amber warmth that creates a sensual scent payoff.
This perfume is minimalist in both nature and design. Another ‘your skin but better’ scent, it never feels overly rich or overpowering. Its freshness is particularly uplifting on those grey autumn days, and its handy travel case makes it one of the easiest fragrances to tote with you on the go.
SHOP ESCENTRIC MOLECULES MOLECULE 02
£125 (100ml) from Escentric Molecules UK
$170 (100ml) from Escentric Molecules US
The takeaway
If there’s one thing I love about switching up my fragrances for autumn, it’s how a scent can make even the greyest, rainiest day feel a little more special. And while I’ll always have a soft spot for warm, woody perfumes at this time of year, I’ve found myself reaching for fresher, skin-like scents just as often.
Whether you’re drawn to something smoky and comforting or prefer a fragrance that’s a little lighter and more understated, there’s no need to stick to the traditional autumn scent rulebook. Sometimes, the best seasonal perfume is simply the one that makes you look forward to getting dressed in the morning.
