11 Fig Fragrances That Evoke the Fresh Air, Warm Breeze, and Sunlit Skies of a Mediterranean Summer

Fragrance notes: Fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood, black pepper

Diptyque's Philosykos Eau de Parfum has been sitting center stage on my vanity for years. It's truly one of my most treasured scents, and it's an ode to the fig tree—the entire fig tree. (Philosykos actually means "friend of the fig tree" in Greek). As such, the fruit doesn't receive all the attention.

Instead, you detect the sharpness of fig leaves, mixed with the jammy smell of fig sap, and "the smell of bark baking under the midday sun." Lastly, you detect the ever-so-slight, milky presence of the figs themselves. It's fresh, grounding, and skin-like—a sophisticated "memory of a Greek summer at Mount Pelion where, to get to the sea, there was a natural grove of wild sun-soaked fig trees to cross." I'm transported there every time I wear it.

Fragrance notes: Fig leaf, lotus flower, vetiver

Jo Malone excels at fresh, floral scents, and this figgy fragrance is no exception. Even though it's fig-inspired, it's not fruity. Instead, it's centered around the herby sharpness of fig leaves, aquatic lotus flower, and grassy vetiver. It's "delicate" and "water-splashed," which makes it the perfect fig fragrance for people who love the smell of clean laundry.

Key Notes: Kadota fig accord, vert de bergamot, muscovado accord

It's not often that I pair the words "citrus" and "sultry" together, but I do when it's in reference to Tom Ford's Figue Érotique Eau De Parfum. It evokes "the exquisite moment before a fig bursts." (You can take that any way you want.) Lush, juicy, fruity fig is at the center, yet it's simultaneously expanded with a note of exhilarating bergamot and intensified with dark, indulgent sugar and spice notes. This is the definition of a date-night perfume–alluring, intoxicating, and downright sexy.

Fragrance notes: Bergamot, green leaf, pear stem, fig, coconut milk, iris, blond woods, tonka bean, moss

"Green" scents evoke the sharp freshness of crushed leaves, cut grass, or forest foliage. They're verdant, herby, and versatile—ideal for hot spring and summer days. D.S. & Durga's Debaser Eau de Parfum is the perfect example. This cult-loved fragrance starts with classic "green" notes—leaves and stems. It's followed by deep purple fig, creamy coconut milk, grounding blonde woods, and smooth tonka bean. Inspired by listening to music in the summer heat, it's a "hot, humid, and sexy" scent that's somehow more refreshing than overpowering.

Fragrance notes: Coconut water, fig leaves, jasmine, fig, sandalwood

I tend to associate woody and smoky scents with traditionally masculine-leaning colognes, but this one is different. It's mysterious, magnetic, and slightly sweet. I'll admit that, initially, it's really smoky—like, campfire smoky—but then, it dries down on the skin and envelops it in a radiant warmth that seems to seep outward like an aura. It's smooth, warm, cozy, without veering overly sweet.

Fragrance notes: Fig accord, rose petal isparta, musk

This perfume belongs to YSL's Le Vestiaire des Parfums. Translate it from French to English, and it becomes "the perfume wardrobe." It's a collection of couture-inspired scents that range from soft and skin-like to rich and bold. Each one is designed to evoke YSL's iconic silhouettes in olfactory form; some of the fragrances are coined with their clothing equivalents: Blouse, Tuxedo, etc. The idea is to collect and curate each scent the same way you collect and curate pieces for your wardrobe.

Lavallière is a scent inspired by one of YSL's most enduring design features—the lavallière, aka the "pussycat bow." It's something that's become almost synonymous with chic, French style. This fruity-floral fragrance is just as enduring. Notes of honeyed fig are paired with herby fig leaves, elegant rose, and soft musk. If sophistication had a scent, this would be it.

Notes: Lush fig, cassis, orris root, sandalwood, vanilla Madagascar

You won't find a Who What Wear editor who doesn't love this perfume. It's "rooted in lushness" with notes of fleshy fig and dewy cassis before folding into creamy sandalwood, orris root, and vanilla. It's somehow earthy, powdery, green, and creamy all at once. If you love unique, complex, and genderless scents, this is one.

Fragrance notes: Caramelized fig accord, jasmine absolu, amber accord

This warm, solar-like scent smells like golden hour, bottled. Unlike other fig fragrances, which tend to use fresh, juicy fruit, this one is caramelized, which gives it a dark, sugar-crusted twist. Meanwhile, siren-like jasmine and warm amber accord accentuate its crème brûleé quality. Lovers of gourmand perfumes will find this rich, sophisticated scent incredibly alluring.

Fragrance notes: White currant, rosemary flower, tapes, fig, gardenia, cream, musk, coconut husk, raspberry leaf

This is a "remix" of D.S & Durga's original Debaser Eau de Parfum. Remember that one is a "green" scent—i.e., it's fresh, sharp, and verdant. This one takes the original formula and adds floral-fruit notes, like white currant and gardenia, for a softer, springier effect. (While I can't easily describe it, I love the nostalgic "cassette tape" note). As the brand puts it, "It wears easy and gives a perfect spring-to-summer vibration, not unlike the music that inspired it."

Fragrance notes: Fig, green jasmine, amber woods, gardenia petals

This perfume reminds me of the scent of summer at dawn. With notes of ripe fig, sweet jasmine, and light amber woods, it's fresh, yet grounded, and earthy without being too heavy. In other words, it's the epitome of balance. Whenever I smell it, I can almost hear the birdsong and feel the cool dew drops beneath my feet.

Fragrance notes: Madagascar black pepper, coconut water, cyclamen, fig leaves, labdanum, sandalwood, suede, amber, skin musk

Sidia is perhaps best known for its Braless fragrance, a vanilla-woods scent that's high-key famous online. However, its newer Midas fragrance deserves just as much hype. With notes of black pepper, coconut water, cyclamen, fig leaves, and sandalwood, it feels confident, radiant, and powerful. The brand says it's "bold in composition, quiet in command. A study in presence, and the rare power of knowing exactly who you are." This duo comes with a mist and a solid perfume, which you can wear alone or layer together for more projection and longevity.