As you’re swapping your wardrobe for summer, you may also want to hit refresh on your daily fragrance. Whether you’re looking for a scent that pairs well with a day lounging poolside or something sexier for a warm summer night, the season’s perfumes and colognes focus on balancing the hot weather with refreshing and bright notes.
Ahead, find a mix of 25 new perfumes and fan-favorite fragrances that are perfect for summer.
What are good summer scents?
“During the summer months we often reach for scents that feel light, fresh, clean and bright, to suit the warmer days and our sunnier moods,” says Beckielou Brown, perfume-creator at Altra. These often fall into the floral, citrus, clean or aquatic families.
For citrus fragrances, “Notes of bergamot, lemon, petitgrain, are often paired with aromatic herbs, which can feel really clean, crisp and refreshing, as seen in classic eaux de cologne, or paired with floral heart notes to give a fresh, uplifting twist to a more full-bodied floral scent,” she explains.
Scents in the floral family are also more likely to be worn this time of year, according to award-winning perfumer Ruth Mastenbroek. She says, “This could be an association with the flowers that are now on display in our gardens and parks, or the fact these fragrances can complement our summery dresses so well,” adding to look for “sunny florals” and “fruity florals.”
Alongside fresh, cooling aquatic notes, perfumer Carlos Huber says “beachy, creamy, solar notes that take you to the beach or poolside” are other favorites. Think sea salt and coconut notes that lend themselves to a tropical profile that works well for days spent in the sun. In cologne, herbal notes like basil add a freshness for summertime scents.
Of course, at the end of the day, fragrance is wholly subjective and you can wear whatever suits your mood. The one tip you will want to follow? “Well-moisturized skin is best for holding on to scent, so be sure to lather up and moisturize with an unscented lotion to make sure your fragrance lasts longer!” Huber advises. And on particularly hot days, Mastenbroek suggests “spraying your fragrance onto your hair and on top of your clothes to help the fragrance stick to something that isn’t your hot and sweaty skin.”
Summer fragrances and perfumes for women
Inspired by a day spent at Sydney’s sunny beaches, this unisex scent’s “contrast of beach coconut, fresh solar notes and a crisp marine breeze” is what Huber loves about it.
One of my personal favorite summer fragrances, this perfume is not overly fruity or sweet as its name suggests. Instead, a mix of strawberry, pink pepper and bergamot top notes play with middle notes of jasmine for a soft effect that settles into the skin.
Jasmine XXX is one of Brown’s summer favorites. “Its bright, sparkling top note of Organic Italian bergamot lifts the heady, fruity jasmine sambac to new dimensions, making it a great day to night summer scent,” she shares.
Louis Vuitton’s latest scent was inspired by the wellness culture of sunny Los Angeles, which is reflected by its refreshing, purifying notes of herbaceous basil and carrot seed, bright lemon and orange and sweet black currant.
With neroli, bergamot and lemon, this scent is viewed by Huber as “the most classic and beautiful orange blossom cologne, yet very musky and sexy.”
Narciso Rodriguez’s For Her fragrance is a floral favorite, and the new For Her Forever version celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original brings an even more seductive mix of white florals perfect for date night.
“The so-called freshies are likely to make more of an appearance in summer, so expect lots of citrus colognes and fragrances bursting with aquatic, aromatic and herbaceous notes,” says Nic Mastenbroek, who works alongside his mother, Ruth, at her namesake fragrance house. Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s latest offering falls into this fresh category with a light, herbaceous and zesty scent that complements sunny days spent outside.
A spritz of this aquatic fragrance created in collaboration with master perfumer Laurent Le Guernec transports you beachside with invigorating marine, magnolia and banana leaf notes.
Fresh, fruity and floral, Mediterranean Peach 15 is juicy and bright, with a history steeped in the traditions of the luxury fragrance house. Centering on notes of perfectly ripened peach, the perfume brings you to the French Riviera, where fruit and florals abound.
Anjou pears, clementine, jasmine and iris combine in this clean floral scent that celebrates the blooms of New York City.
A genderless scent that captures the creamy notes of sunscreen, this ultimate summertime fragrance is “so nostalgic and focused on banana, coconut, pineapple and pool water,” says Huber, who was tapped by Vacation to create the scent.
Using lavender oil grown and distilled by Castle Farm in Kent, UK, Ruth Mastenbroek says she often turns to this scent in hot weather. “Marlin combines fresh citrus, herbaceous and aromatic notes with some deeper, resinous and woody notes that I find perform well and last on the skin,” the perfumer shares.
This classic floral fragrance gives a lighter footprint to the original?Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum, with added notes of sandalwood and musk that complement the jasmine, tuberose and neroli accord.
Capturing the scents of a day at the beach — salty sea air, sun-kissed skin and sweet coconut — this perfume is the embodiment of summertime memories. Many reviewers on Sephora note that the fragrance really does live up to its name.
Summer is the season of driving with your windows down and letting the wind whip through your hair. This lively perfume captures that free-spirited feeling. It is a clean and citrusy scent with notes of grapefruit, bergamot, neroli, orange flower and jasmine.
A light and fresh floral perfume, Tory Burch’s signature fragrance features grapefruit, peony and jasmine for a polished fragrance that works at the office or a weekend brunch.
Summer colognes for men
“I always loved Acqua di Giò growing up for its freshness with extras; it has this lovely aromatic undertone that combines with a salty marine note that I adore,” says Nic Mastenbroek.
Citrusy and woody, this aquatic cologne is like a breath of fresh air. Basil, verbena and clary sage give it a freshness, while suede and sheer musk give it a light depth.
Nic Mastenbroek loves UK-based Gallivant’s range of fragrances, especially this fruity, floral bergamot and clementine scent that he says “combines floral with sunshine.”
This new scent marries fresh and woody notes of cardamom, cedarwood and vetiver. Along with an aquatic accord, this nature-inspired fragrance is the perfect summertime refresher.
Looking for a designer fragrance without the sticker shock? Dossier creates perfumes inspired by favorite designer scents without the luxury price tag. This eau de toilette mimics the citrus and marine notes of Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue, transporting you to the Mediterranean.
This fragrance reads green and slightly spicy with notes of cedarwood, cardamom and citrus leaves. After the initial spiciness settles, you’re left with a fresh citrus scent that makes for an easy everyday cologne.
Cool and aquatic, this juicy fragrance pairs notes of mandarin orange and bright petitgrain with seaweed and lavender.
This unisex fragrance is floral and woodsy, drawing people in with its notes of fig, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, peony, jasmine and cedarwood.
For a richer option, Haltane opens fresh and herbal and fades into leather and woodsy notes, along with saffron and praline accord. Made for the modern man but paying homage to the gentleman of the 18th century, when the perfume house was founded, this is a new classic cologne.
