10 Best Perfumes for Fall
Fall in love with our
favorite scents of
the season...
It's that time of year—the time for transformation and reflection. When the leaves and everything around you seem to be shifting. I was feeling a bit nervous about summer being over, that all those months had passed by so quickly…they felt hectic. But when I expressed this grievance to a friend, he said, “I don’t mind time passing by, it’s nice to see what’s unfolding.”
What scent is going to carry you into this next phase of change? What perfume is going to accompany you on your journey through the crisp and colorful days of Fall? Have you ever even thought of changing up your scent with the season? Sure, you’ve got to get yourself the newest fall coat or pair of boots, maybe some fresh flannel to keep you warm…but a new perfume?
Hell yes.
Let me tell you why. Firstly, your perfume is truly yours, no matter how many people wear the same name. That’s because perfumes react with your body chemistry in a unique way, making the resulting smell really YOUR signature. And as the weather outside transforms, so does your own body chemistry and scent. That means the way your perfume makes you smell in the summertime is probably not the same in the fall or winter.
So choose intentionally, and get inspired by the change of scenery around you.
What elements of fall make you smile? Is it the smell of burning firewood or the dust of cinnamon on every drink and dessert? Maybe it’s the forever fresh scent of pine. Start by choosing elements of the season that make you tingle inside, and try on scents that comprise these notes.
Here are our top picks for fall.
for men
1. Burberry London
Mmm. We know you can’t get enough of this heartwarming spice—cinnamon. Something about it makes us believe it really has magic powers. Burberry London opens with the soothing smell of lavender, bergamot, and cinnamon. But don’t get too cozy, as notes of leather, woods, and oakmoss begin to set in and sweep you into the great outdoors. Oh and did we mention it’s wrapped in flannel?
2. Armani Code
Oriental and spicy. What else could you ask for to warm you up? This cologne was even turning heads more than ten years ago, winning Fifi Men’s Luxe Fragrance of the Year award in 2006. Today it continues to represent the modern gentleman—elegant and sexy—opening with citrus and evolving into notes of guaiac wood, tonka bean and tobacco.
3. Valentino Uomo
Woody and leathery notes at this cologne’s base make it a perfect companion for fall. With a heart note of coffee, all you can think of is sipping on a hot cuppa joe (or perhaps a rare scotch) by the fireplace, stretched out on a big leather chair. Oh, and how beautiful is that bottle—a symbol of pure Italian suavity.
4. Christian Dior Sauvage
We can’t help it. We know, it’s everywhere. But this time everyone isn’t wrong; Dior just nailed it. Any man spritzes this one and transforms into a master charmer, so watch out ladies. I gave this to my special someone and I can't stay away. Notes of nutmeg, star anise, and vanilla will sweeten your entrance, while Sichuan pepper and ambroxan will keep things spicy and musky for the night.
5. Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Black
Ever dare to absinthe? It’s okay, even if you haven’t taken a shot of this dangerous liquor, let the green fairy introduce you to Carolina Herrera’s newest edition of the classic 212 cologne. Top notes of absinthe carry you into a heavier leathery scent, ending with base notes of vanilla and musk. A fearlessly bold step into the season of transform.
for women
Oriental, spicy, AND you can rarely go wrong with a Chanel fragrance. This one was meant to symbolize Gabrielle Chanel’s personality–intense, passionate and mysterious. Coco will carry you into the cold just perfectly with a spicy concoction of Mandarin, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Indonesian Patchouli. Mmm I'll put my summer Chanel away for this bottle.
2. Prada La Femme Intense
Another oriental classic, Prada created this one to celebrate the Prada woman—a multi-faceted beauty. Top notes of frangipani and ylang ylang make a powerful entrance, followed by tuberose, orange blossom, jasmin sambac and a base of vetiver, vanilla, patchouli and iris. Oh and did we mention the box makes it look like Christmas came early?
3. Dolce & Gabbana The One
We all know it’s fall is when we start to whip out the sweetness. Desserts become the diet with pies and pumpkin spice lattes. So why not smell sweet too? The One opens with lychee and peach, with middle notes of lily, plum, and jasmine, later swirling into a sweet base of vanilla, vetiver, musk, and amber. A luxe gold bottle says it all: she is The One.
Want to make a quick thousand bucks? Or at least feel like it? Well you will when you know how special this scent is. The name 1000 comes from the 1000 attempts it took to find the perfect scent. In the 1970s, The House of Jean Patou was the first to discover Osmanthus, a shrub that grew in the Himalayas, China, and Japan, and only blossomed for a few hours each year! A perfect floral-chypre scent for fall.
A statement maker like the bottle itself, JPG Classique is your ultimate companion to the holiday party. Super sexy and feminine, this one will have you sporting a red dress just because, well, you can. Top notes of roses, rum, and mandarin get you in the mood, while base notes of vanilla, amber, tonka bean and sandalwood are perfect cold weather companions long into the night.
