Ditch the Summer Body Mists—Our Beauty Editor Recommends These 7 Luxury Perfumes for Fall

Start autumn off on the right (fragrance) note by investing in your perfume wardrobe.

Alice Hartwell

If summer is the season of delicate body mists, then autumn marks a shift towards richer, luxury scents. Now is most certainly the time to shelve your beach-ready fragrances and make room for a perfume wardrobe that invites warmth, earthiness and comfort. Luxury fragrances are a serious investment—one you don’t want to make lightly. Fortunately, I’ve spent the past few weeks testing the finest scents on the market right now (and smelling rather great along the way) to curate the ultimate wishlist. Ahead, discover my top fragrance picks for fall, complete with the perfect occasions for each.

Best for Date Night: Acqua Di Parma Gelsomino a Freddo Eau de Parfum

This new release from artisanal perfumer Acqua Di Parma can only be described as utterly intoxicating. So much so that after a quick spritz in my local Space NK, I was instantly asked what I was wearing by a stranger upon my exit. It’s bold and vibrant with smoky undertones that promise true staying power, embodying opulence and good taste—old money vibes without feeling dated. If you have a first date coming up, I guarantee this will secure you a second before the appetisers show up.

Best for Rainy Days: Jo Loves Amber Lime & Bergamot

Pathetic fallacy connects closely to fragrance, since scents are often used to mirror or heighten mood and atmosphere. And through autumn’s blustery rainy days, beachy scents can’t help but feel out of place, no matter how delicious. When seeking a new perfume to accompany your rainy walks through town, this Jo Loves pick finds the perfect balance of floral freshness and petrichor. It feels uplifting yet comforting for the season at hand—and just look at that bottle, it’s begging for a spot on your vanity.

Best for Travelling: Escentric Molecules Escentric 02

Whether you’re heading off on a city break or escaping to sunnier shores, travelling with fragrance is rarely straightforward. Even before navigating liquid restrictions, there’s the worry of opening your bag to find a leak—or worse, a ruined and costly scent. This choice from Escentric Molecules covers all bases: a fresh, contemporary fragrance that can transition seamlessly from day to night, handbag-friendly, and made effortlessly portable with a handy travel case.

Best for Dinner & Drinks: Pleasing Welcome Dreams Eau de Parfum

If your sweet tooth kicks into overdrive as the days grow shorter, you’ll fall for this perfume from Pleasing—yes, the Harry Styles brand. I never would’ve pegged Harry as a perfumer, and let’s be honest, celebrity scents rarely live up to the luxury hype, but this one genuinely does. With a sensual aroma of chocolate (but not in a cheap or sickly way), it’s the perfect choice for a late evening out that stretches into the small hours, tucked away in a dimly lit bar. Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and packaged in a bottle that looks (and feels) like a work of modern art—I was sold almost instantly.

Best for the Office: Merit Retrospect

Work days call for fresh, yet not overpowering scents—no one wants to be the proverbial Boots perfume counter of the office. Cult brand Merit released its signature fragrance Retrospect last year, and the beauty set flocked to give it a spritz, myself included. Formulated to evolve with the wearer throughout the day, the scent offers musky notes of vanilla, balanced with the freshness of bergamot and orris. It lingers with subtleness, but is easily reapplied in your lunch break for a refresh that doesn’t feel too much.

Best for Self-Care Days at Home: Kiya Cosmetics The Sweet One Eau de Parfum

It’s tempting to save luxury perfumes for “best,” which is understandable; they’re an investment meant to be savoured—but that doesn’t mean we can’t indulge in a little everyday luxury during our at-home day. Coming in at just £20 but performing with the quality of premium labels, this latest release from Kiya Cosmetics proves that generous spritzing needn’t be a concern. Inspired by their best-selling body oil—one of my favourites—this perfume offers a light, sweet, and comforting scent, the perfect companion after a long morning bath on a crisp autumn day, before slipping into cosy sweats to see out the weekend.

Best for a Weekend Yoga Class: Tyler Aromatherapy Rosa Eau de Parfum

If you’re anything like me, stepping out without a hint of scent feels wrong. Yet at a yoga class, that same fragrance can suddenly feel a bit much when all you want is a moment of calm. A new release from wellness brand Tyler Aromatherapy, this natural botanical perfume has been formulated to serve as a mood-boosting ritual, consciously crafted for moments of self-care. It feels grounding and warming—the ideal pairing for a restorative yoga session, I’d say.