Don’t you hate seeing lists and recommendations, when a season is right around the corner or when it has already started? Well, here are my fragrance recommendations for the upcoming Summer. As a bonus, I’ve added an alternative pick for each ‘category’. You can click on each of the fragrances for more information.
Day at the beach
Xerjoff 40 Knots
40 Knots is by far my favorite ‘aquatic’ fragrance. It balances the salty sea breeze and rose well in a thick oily texture with a projection and longevity that are pretty much unmatched for this style of fragrance.
Alternative: Strangers Salted Green Mango
Cocktails for brunch
Guerlain Homme
Boozy fragrances for the Summer time are limited, but nothing beats the freshness of a mojito. Homme combines the booziness with mint and one of the best lime notes on the market.
Alternative: Atelier Des Ors Pink Me Up [#AD]
Under the fig tree
Essential Parfums Fig Infusion
Essential Parfums is without a doubt one of the best bang-for-buck brands at the moment and Fig Infusion is my favorite from the house. A perfectly unisex, fresh, green and easy-going fig gem.
Alternative: Hermes Un Jardin En Mediterranee
Totally zen
Ella K Poeme de Sagano
There’s something very calming and soothing about the bamboo-loaded Poeme de Sagano. Add a decently lasting citrus to it and you have yourself one of my favorite Summery scents to wear to the office.
Alternative: Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline
A sparkling touch
Atelier Des Ors Pomelo Riviera
Pomelo Riviera has been my favorite overall citrus fragrance for a couple of years now. It’s a simple, but in my opinion perfect pomelo/grapefruit scent that I could respray every 30 minutes in high heat.
Alternative: Parfumerie Particuliere Blue Mandarine
white linen
Eight & Bob The Original
In my opinion one of the more original (pun not intended) ‘signature’ fragrances from a brand. It combines the fresh white linen from the musk with a hint of seaside and a barely-sweet hazelnut.
Alternative: Maison Violet Cycle 001
In a field of flowers
Ostens Impressions Jasmine Absolute [#AD]
Jasmine is one of my favorite notes, but I can’t always appreciate it in high heat. This Ostens offering however, is the perfect vibrant jasmine for Summer. You can buy it with a layering oil to add a bit more daring facets, but on its own, it’s ideal on a warm day.
Alternative: Frederic Malle Carnal Flower
Selfcare Sunday
The Harmonist Yin Transformation [#AD]
One of the cleanest imaginable scents I know is Yin Transformation. For those that know the scent of Nivea, it will smell familiar.
Alternative: Masque Milano Dolceacqua
Walking the coastline
Veronique Gabai Cap D’Antibes [#AD]
For this category I’m looking more at being near a beach, than actually being on the beach (despite the name of the alternative pick). Cap D’Antibes has a watery, sea breeze element, ambrox-esque sweetness and a very clean cedarwood.
Alternative: Louis Vuitton On The Beach
stop and smell the roses
Armani Rose Milano
I think rose-water fragrances with a subtle scent are a great option in high heat. There are many fragrances to choose from, but Rose Milano always appealed to me.
Alternative: Dior Gris Dior
Sweet tooth
Alghabra Bolshoi Opera Finale [#AD]
Sweet fragrances are not always a match warm weather, but there are a couple of great options if you still wan’t to add sweetness to your routine. Bolshoi Opera is refreshing, milky and sweet at the same time.
Alternative: Louis Vuitton City Of Stars
Turn Up The Heat
Bortnikoff Musk Cologne
If you’re looking to heat things up some more, Musk Cologne adds a radiant musky floral to a very citric fragrance. Something about this fragrance feels like being in a garden in the midst of Summer.
Alternative: Ojar Wasp Waist
Powdering Up
Gallivant Bukhara [#AD]
Not only is Bukhara my favorite Gallivant, it’s also the iris that’s the most suitable for hot weather. It’s a chalky iris that smells like crisp, washed carrots and a sharp fruitiness from the pear.
Alternative: Armani My Way Parfum
If you have Summer fragrances that are missing from this list, give them a shout-out in a comment below!