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There’s something about choosing which perfume to wear in summer that brings me so much joy. As the days get warmer and holidays approach, many of us reach for scents that remind us of sunshine, beaches, and balmy evenings with a glass of rose in hand.
While spring fragrances are often light, floral and airy, summer scents tend to lean fresher, brighter and solar – think citrus, white florals, green notes and breezy coconut accords. Heavy, syrupy aromas can become overwhelming in the heat, which is the last thing we want in the warm weather – your signature date night scent may not translate so well for a day by the pool or picnics in the park.
It’s incredibly common for perfume enthusiasts to buy a fresh bottle to become the signature of holiday memories (similar to why most people opt for a unique wedding fragrance). Whenever you catch a whiff of that scent years down the line, you’re immediately transported to that trip or experience.
I own more than 80 bottles of perfume – not counting body mists – and have dug through my personal collection to pick out the best summer scents. Whether you’re grabbing a new perfume at the airport duty-free before your flight or treating yourself to a “holiday scent”, here are seven of the best summer perfumes that will help you feel fresh, bright, and perfectly at home under the summer sun.
Maison Margiela Replica From the Garden
Notes: Tomato Leaf, Green Mandarin, Patchouli, Geranium
Perfect for: morning walks, brunch and days in the garden
This is precisely the kind of fragrance that immediately evokes memories. Clean, green and nostalgic, From The Garden it’s like stepping into a greenhouse growing fresh tomato plants – as such, it reminds me much of my granddad. There’s a hint of citrus brightness that cuts through the green, adding an uplifting feel. It’s super earthy and personally, I think it’s quite calming and grounding. I appreciate that this kind of scent won’t be for everyone, but it reminds me of long hot summers in the garden, with seriously impressive longevity – as is the case with all of the Replica range. Buy it here.
Floral Street Arizona Bloom
Notes: Balinese Coconut, Madagascan Black Pepper, Oak Moss, Salted Musks, Jasmine Petals, Fig leaves, Cashmere Woods
Perfect for: A tropical getaway or poolside lounging
If a sun-soaked desert summer had a signature scent, this would be a top contender. Arizona Bloom has this gorgeous solar coconut note that feels warm and luminous. It pairs beautifully with a salty, mineral-like quality that makes me think of a day on a sandy beach, with a dry, woody backdrop that stops it from going too sweet. The blend is breezy, happy, and distinctly holiday-ish, making it the kind of scent that instantly puts you in vacay mode. Plus their 10ml fragrances are the ideal size for a week away and come in at £28. Buy it here.
Le Monde Gourmand Lait de Coco
Notes: Bergamot, Coconut and Vanilla Praline
Perfect for: casual days in the sun, walks on the beach, cosy evenings in the egg chair
Insanely affordable at £24 a bottle, Lait de Coco is a gentle, creamy coconut milk scent that is surprisingly delicate for a gourmand. It doesn’t venture into sickly-sweet territory at all – instead, it’s milky, smooth, and soft, like a coconut-infused body lotion but elevated. Hints of vanilla give it a comforting sweetness, while a subtle clean musk keeps it from being sticky or overwhelming in the heat. I love wearing this on days when I want a soft, skin-scent kind of vibe, with just enough tropical personality to feel summery. Fresh, delicious and the epitome of summer, this one has been earning me dozens of complements of late. Buy it here.
Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild
Notes: Banana Blossom Accord, Jasmine, Macadamia Accord, Sandalwood and Vetiver des Sables
Perfect for: picnics in the park, sunny outdoor activities
Launched last year, Daisy Wild is an extension of the highly popular Marc Jacobs fragrance line up. It starts with Banana Blossom Accord, which gives it a sweet and fruity feel, with a floral heart that boasts hints of jasmine and rose for a wildflower feel. It’s quite youthful and whimsical, but the green notes keep it fresh, breezy and sophisticated. It dries down to a soft woody-musk base, which gives it longevity without ever becoming too heavy for hot weather. I think of Daisy Wild as the ideal fragrance for outdoorsy days like picnics or a walk around the reservoir. Buy it here.
Jo Loves Pomelo Oud
Notes: Pomelo, Oud, Patchouli, Cedarwood and Grapefruit
Perfect for: summer date nights, balmy evening cocktails
Pomelo Oud is a really clever twist on a citrus scent. It opens with a big, bright splash of summery pomelo, but then delivers an undertone of oud for a rich, luxurious and unexpected finish. The oud here is so light you could wear it in the summer without fear of being too heavy, but it does lend itself more to evening occasions for me. It balances old money vibes with modernity, and is genderless making it ideal for those, like me, who enjoy an ‘aftershave-y’ quality in perfumes. When you want citrus but crave a little something extra, Pomelo Oud is a standout choice. Buy it here.
All Saints Sunset Riot
Notes: Mandarin Leaves, Pink Pepper, Wild Freesia, Orange Flower, Night Blooming Jasmine, Woodland Moss, Amber, Sueded Musks
Perfect for: summer rooftop hangouts
As we move into summer, there is one scent note we are seeing everywhere: orange blossom. Sunset Riot – an old but newly-amplified AllSaints favourite – uses this trending note with exceptional effect. It kicks off with a fresh citrus and pink pepper accord that feels fizzy and bright, then blends into soft florals with a slightly woody drydown. There’s a touch of sweetness, but it stays balanced and light enough for summer. Confident and slightly rebellious, it’s a really addictive amber scent that really comes to life in warm weather. It reminds me of going out for rooftop cocktails as the sun goes down. Buy it here.
Phlur Mood Ring
Notes: Dragon Fruit Pulp, Orange, Fruit Gummies, Orange Flower, Jasmine, Amber, Patchouli, Musk and Amber
Perfect for: days when you want something fun and vibrant
I have said it before and I’ll say it again, I have never met a Phlur fragrance I didn’t love – but this one was perhaps the most surprising for me to fall for. As a general rule, you can shop scents based on the colour of the bottle, with a lot of my favourite vanilla and caramel perfumes offering creamy hues, or those with cherry notes coming in red packaging. So a bright green scent isn’t something I’d have naturally gravitated to, until I spritzed it on a whim in Selfridges a few weeks back and it blew me away.
Mood Ring is such a fun, joyful take on summer. It bursts open with notes of dragon fruit pulp, orange and fruit gummies for a sweet kick. Jasmine gives it a floral heart, while patchouli and amber in the base brings this cosy, slightly musky feel that makes it wearable rather than juvenile. It’s the kind of scent that instantly lifts your mood and feels super playful – exactly what summer should smell like. Buy it here.
