Ah, the delights of the warmer months. Al fresco dinners, far-flung vacations and long weekends spent soaking up the sun... What’s not to love?
One thing that’s essential for each and every one of these activities; a summer fragrance. Whether you’re strolling from the park to the pub in jeans and a T-shirt or wafting along the beach wearing a linen shirt, swim shorts and sandals, no warm-weather wardrobe is complete without the aroma to match.
It’s time to shelve the vanilla, tobacco and musk-heavy flacons and switch them with perfumes that sparkle with the freshness of citrus or the herbaceousness of basil or sage. Whatever your fragrance profile, there’s sure to be a lighter alternative that captures a carefree summer spirit of flicks like Call Me By Your Name in a way that your favourite winter blend could never.
Cult favourite perfumers Le Labo, Byredo and Loewe ground this signature summer freshness with an earthy or woody base which results in a fragrance that’s lively yet sensual - and one that’s sure to stand out in the crowd. Whilst these tend to be on the more expensive end of the spectrum, if you’re partial to a touch of fragrance flattery as you drift your way through the season, they’re definitely worth the investment.
We caught up with Susan Wai Hnin, co-founder of Myanmar-based perfume brand Gabar, to get her top tips on choosing fragrances for the balmy months - and took the liberty of cherry-picking our favourites in the list below.
What are your top tips for men when choosing a summer fragrance?
I think it’s important to pick a scent that gels well with your own body chemistry as we tend to perspire in the heat. I would also suggest men stick to lighter scents as complex fragrances can sometimes be a touch overpowering in the summertime.
What are the best summer fragrance notes?
Citrus, green and aquatic notes are all great for the summer because they add a hint of freshness that contrasts with the sweltering heat of the summer. I’d opt for fragrances that include key citrus notes such as bergamot, mandarin, lemon and grapefruit or fresh green notes such as oakmoss, basil, and clary sage.
Would you recommend an eau de parfum, eau de toilette or eau de cologne?
Eau de parfum contains the highest concentration of perfume essence followed by eau de toilette and eau de cologne. Eau de colognes are generally the most diluted and lightest out of the three so they generally last the shortest duration. It all depends on how strong you want your scent to be and how long you want it to last throughout the day.
Which of your scents lends itself best to the summer months?
Gabar No.III Swim is really well suited for the summer months because it is inspired by the jungle region of Hpa-An in Myanmar and contains lush green notes of galbanum, green tea and wild fig. It’s an active fresh scent that’s evocative of nature, forest and the rain.
What are your top tips when applying a fragrance during summer?
Fragrances tend to evaporate faster in the summer heat so it’s a good idea to carry a small travel-sized vial so that you can reapply and refresh throughout the day.
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Le Labo Bergamote 22 Eau De Parfum 50ml
New York-based perfumery Le Labo has amassed a cult following since its foundation in 2005 - and with just one sniff, you’ll see why. Each and every one of the brand’s handmade scents boasts a unique, addictive blend that will keep you coming back for more.
One of the lighter aromas, Bergamote 22 is lifted with notes of tart grapefruit and fresh bergamot and balanced with the woodiness of vetiver and musk, resulting in a deep, complex fragrance that you’ll want on your shelf for years to come.
Buy now £168.00, Cult Beauty
Hermès H24 eau de toilette 50ml
A shining scent, herby notes of sage are layered over a soft woody base of rosewood for an aromatic and metallic finish that’s fit for wear from AM to PM - especially during the warmer months.
Buy now £74.00, Selfridges
Loewe Paula's Ibiza Eau de Toilette 50ml
Inspired by the sunset, it doesn’t get more summer-inducing than Loewe’s Solo fragrance family - especially this Atlas aroma.
Balancing the woodiness of mastic, the earthiness of vetiver, the sweetness of orange blossom and the freshness of marine salt, in just one spritz, you’ll be transported to a warm evening on a sun-drenched coast. Summer in a bottle.
Buy now £77.00, Selfridges
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau De Parfum 50ml
It doesn’t get more refined than the Italian Riviera - so it’s no wonder that Tom Ford’s summery fragrance is named after the gorgeous fishing village located in the heart of the region. Cool, floral and citrussy, it’s a fragrance that will waft with you throughout the day, imparting a light, breezy elegance - now, all you need is the louche, flowy shirt to match.
Buy now £220.00, Harvey Nichols
Aesop Tacit Eau de Parfum 50ml
Anyone who’s shopped in one of Aesop’s beautifully minimal and deliciously smelling stores will be familiar with the brand’s signature herbaceous aroma - and Tacit is the best of the Australian label’s fragrances if you’d like to exude these fresh, green notes yourself.
Buy now £115.00, Aesop
Byredo Sundazed 50ml
Ben Gorham, founder of Byredo, plays on olfactory nostalgia through his range of complex, wistful scents. Sundazed is an uplifting blend of lemon, mandarin, jasmine and neroli that’s evocative of carefree summer holidays spent chasing the sun.
Buy now £150.00, Space NK
Bleu De Chanel Eau De Parfum
Bleu De Chanel’s aromatic aroma is perfect for summer nights. Balancing notes of sandalwood with cedar and tonka bean, it’s warm and sensual - and is sure to garner a compliment or two.
Timothée Chalamet is also the fragrance’s latest ambassador - and if it’s good enough for Timothée, it’s good enough for us.
Buy now £85.00, John Lewis
Gabar No.III Swim Eau de Parfum 50ml
Established in Myanmar, Gabar offers three scents which are all inspired by Southeast Asian heritage - and our favourite is No.III Swim.
Green, woody, fresh and lush, it’s unique and unlike any other scent in your collection. Mixing blackcurrant bud with sandalwood, it blends a feminine freshness with a masculine woodiness and throws in a touch of musk for an aroma that’s unisex and entirely addictive.
Buy now £120.00, Gabar
Vilhelm Parfumerie Basilico & Fellini
Vilhelm Parfumerie’s fragrances are unmistakable - and you only need a couple of sprays for each of them to stick with you throughout the day. Our favourite is Basilico & Fellini, which is one of the greenest, freshest, herbiest scents we’ve ever tried.
From the top note of basil to the base of vetiver and green hay, as well as the distinctive minty kick, there’s not an ingredient sight that you couldn’t find growing in a luscious (deliciously smelling) garden - and who doesn’t want that?
Buy now £220.00, Liberty
Acqua Di Parma Colonia Eau De Cologne 100ML
Timeless yet contemporary, fresh yet sensual - is there anything Acqua Di Parma’s Colonia fragrance can’t do? From the top notes of bergamot orange and lemon to the base of sandalwood and cedar, it’s brimming with Italian sophistication - and we’d expect nothing less from the heritage perfumer.
Buy now £147.00, Space NK
Malin + Goetz Leather eau de parfum 50ml
Packed with leathery goodness, Malin + Goetz’s perfume is a modern take on the classic aroma. It’s balanced with fresh florals and rustic woodiness and, like the patina of the fabric itself, the scent only gets better with time.
Buy now £86.00, Selfridges
Pleasing Bright Hot Eau De Parfum 100ml
A perfect, visually beautiful addition to any scent collection comes from Harry Styles’ Pleasing collection. The notes of amber, tobacco and plum will take you to your dream coastal destination with a simple spritz - even if all you’re actually doing is commuting on the central line.
Buy now £135.00, Selfridges
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne 100ml
Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir is the perfect balance of the masculine and feminine - from delicate pomegranate to punchy pink pepper - making for an intriguing blend that will keep you coming back for more. Better yet, the signature minimalistic bottle will add some sophistication to any bookcase or bedside table.
Buy now £118.00, Jo Malone
Dior New Look 125ml
Named after the French house’s revolutionary post-war design movement, Dior’s New Look fragrance is now pushing its aroma offering too. Designed by Francis Kurkdjian, the brand’s perfume creative director, it’s distinctly unisex, with clean notes of aldehyde which is balanced with spicy frankincense and the warmth of amber. A subtle daytime scent perfect for when the sun’s shining.
Buy now £245.00, Dior
