Autumn perfumes: 5 brands to start with

Autumn often brings us back to vanilla, spices and woody fragrances. Some people want something sweet to wear beneath a scarf; others prefer perfumes that recall a forest. There is plenty to choose from in both cases.

We have selected five brands from Scenza’s catalogue, with one fragrance from each. Our choices are based on manufacturers’ notes and descriptions. Treat this list as ideas to try before buying a bottle.

Which fragrance should you try first?

If you know which notes you like, this table will help narrow the search.

1. Guerlain: vanilla with lavender

From Guerlain, we have chosen Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum. The manufacturer’s description highlights lavender, sambac jasmine, Tahitian vanilla and sandalwood. The vanilla has floral and aromatic company, making this worth a try if dessert notes alone soon bore you.

Much depends on whether you enjoy lavender. If you do, Mon Guerlain could join your list of autumn perfumes for work or evenings. If you are less keen, start with a sample.

Check the version when buying: we describe Eau de Parfum. Mon Guerlain Intense is a different fragrance.

Check Mon Guerlain EDP notes and prices.

2. Lattafa: spices, praline and cocoa

Among Lattafa perfumes, our idea for cooler days is Angham. Lattafa lists mandarin, ginger and pink pepper, followed by praline, lavender and cocoa, with musk, amber and vanilla in the base. If you enjoy dessert-like, or gourmand, notes, this combination may interest you.

Angham is worth comparing with Mon Guerlain. Both descriptions include lavender and vanilla, but here cocoa, praline and spices join them. Shared notes do not make the two interchangeable. They can, however, help you discover whether you prefer vanilla with flowers or with sweeter additions.

Allow several hours for your test. With sweet perfumes, it helps to know whether you enjoy them as much after a full day as after the first spray.

See Lattafa Angham and available offers.

3. Mercedes-Benz: Club Black EDT with vanilla and incense

If you are looking for a men’s autumn perfume, explore the Mercedes-Benz catalogue. According to the manufacturer, Club Black Eau de Toilette combines bergamot, jasmine and incense with vanilla, benzoin, woody notes and ambrox.

This is another approach to vanilla, this time with resins and wood. If you usually choose fresh citrus perfumes, Club Black can be useful to compare as the seasons change. Pay particular attention to the incense and whether you enjoy it in this combination.

Watch the names in shops. Club Black also comes as Eau de Parfum; here, we suggest trying the EDT version.

Compare Club Black EDT offers.

4. Narciso Rodriguez: musk, tuberose and plum

Do you like floral perfumes and want something for autumn? The Narciso Rodriguez catalogue includes For Her Musc Noir Rose Eau de Parfum. The brand describes it through a combination of musk, tuberose and plum against a vanilla background.

In our selection, this is an option for people who prefer flowers and fruit to spices. On your skin, pay most attention to how you perceive the tuberose and musk. They may decide whether you enjoy the fragrance.

The name itself can be misleading. Despite “Rose”, the manufacturer particularly emphasises tuberose. If you mainly want the scent of roses, make sure you test it before buying.

Explore For Her Musc Noir Rose EDP.

5. Maison Margiela: cedar, cardamom and moss

Finally, an option for people who enjoy the smell of wood. The manufacturer’s description of Maison Margiela Replica Autumn Vibes Eau de Toilette includes cedar, cardamom and a moss accord. The latter is intended to evoke earth, bark and the forest floor.

If these are the smells you associate with autumn, add Autumn Vibes to your sample list. Try it alongside one of this article’s sweeter options. The difference between cedar and moss, and praline and vanilla, can help you decide which you feel like wearing.

Still, give it some time on your skin. The smell of a forest during a walk and a perfume worn all day are two different experiences.

See Replica Autumn Vibes notes and prices.

Before buying a bottle

Choose two fragrances and test them on different days. Note what you enjoy just after spraying and how you perceive the perfume after several hours. Notice whether you want to wear it again the next day. If narrowing the choice is difficult, read our guide to finding a perfume that suits you.

A sample or small decant lets you try a perfume at work and at home. Read more about this approach in what perfume decants are and whether they are worth buying.

Once you have chosen a fragrance, open its Scenza product page and compare offers for the same version and size. Add delivery before ordering. The lowest listed price does not always mean the cheapest purchase.