At this time of year we are clinging on to every scrap of sunshine we can get – and one of the best ways to do this is to wear scents that seem to bottle that particular, golden quality of light we get in autumn. This way, even when the weather isn’t sunny all day, or there’s a chill on the breeze, we can still revel in that gilded warmth all day long.
For the Seasonal Scents subscription boxes, we choose fragrances ideally suited for wearing right now, so your fragrance wardrobe perfectly reflects the weather. But what else can you wear that feels right for right now (or brings that sunlight we’re desperately craving whenever it’s grey and drizzly, and TV weather reports keep promising an ‘Indian Summer’ to make up for the actual summer that never quite happened, here in the U.K.?!)
If you’re after a quick-hit of uplifting olfactory splendour to bring some sunshine into your life immediately, we have some excellent suggestions. So, if you are in the mood for fragrant joy (and oh goodness, we could certainly all use some at the moment), then here are four of the sunny yet autumn-friendly fragrances we are reaching for at the moment…
Molton Brown Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver
Capturing the essense of lazy, hazy autumnal afternoons, softly beguiling notes of lavender, creamy fig leaf, and roasted hazelnut conjure cosy brightness, while a sophisticated base of smoky vetiver and amberwood adds depth.
£140 for 100ml eau de parfum moltonbrown.co.uk
Floral Street Arizona Bloom
Capturing the heart-soaring feeling of freedom this wide-open vista evokes a desert oasis. Queen of the Night flower lush with Balinese coconut, grounded by woody oakmoss and salted musks.
from £29 for 10ml eau de parfum floralstreet.com
ESCENTRIC MOLECULES MOLECULE 05
Showcasing pure Cashmeran, a complex note that perfumer Geza Schoen masterfully employs to evoke Mediterranean warmth. This single-note fragrance manages to be simultaneously dry, aromatic, soft, and comforting.
£115 for 100ml eau de parfum escentric.com
EAU.MG Flor Funk
Packed full of the brightest orange blossom, swathed in a cloak of earthy moss, soft musk and smooth sandalwood – the creaminess is an addictive layer of warmth. One to swish through leaves while wearing, grinning joyously.
£95 for 50ml eau de parfum in our shop
But what if you’re not currently in the market for a new scent, and want to utilise those you already own? The good news is that it doesn’t necessarily mean investing in an entire new collection of fragrances – here are some general tips for layering a sunshine-filled seasonal balance in your choice of perfume:
- Look for notes such as bergamot, orange, mandarin and lemon to add some zing to a scent – uplifting the spirit and reviving energy, these ingredients also cut through heavier notes in a fragrance composition and can remind us of bright sunlight breaking through the clouds. Or close your eyes and imagine the light streaming through amber or red coloured leaves in a woodland setting: citrus plus woody, smoky or resinous notes give this amber-hued olfactory impression.
- Floral notes such as rose, iris and even jasmine are still beautiful in autumnal scents – tempered by woody, mossy or resinous bases they feel richer, more texturally akin to velvet, suede or cashmere than summery linen or cotton-centric scents. What’s more, autumn is often the best time of year to try these florals with more density, as in hot weather they can feel too overpowering. Consider looking through your current collection to rediscover scents you may have overlooked in summer – or break out of your comfort zone and try a brand new style of scent you’d previously discounted as ‘not really me’. Temperature and climate can play a huge role in how we wear and perceive a scent.
If it’s a sunnier autumn day and your choice of scent suddenly feels too heavy (as though you’ve put on a thick jumper or winter-weight coat too early), don’t be afraid to layer your fragrance with a lighter, brighter scent to feel like you’ve taken a layer off and can breathe again! We’ve a simple guide to layering fragrances you can follow to change-up your fragrance as the weather / your mood requires.
Written by Suzy Nightingale