I Strive to Smell Expensive—These Perfumes Do the Most Come Autumn

Key notes: Bergamot, African orange flower, osmanthus, musk, patchouli, vetiver and vanilla.

Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden says that she returns to this fragrance religiously every autumn. "I adore musk scents as the days shorten, and this is my favourite perfume for the autumn months," she says. "The pairing of osmanthus blossom, musk, patchouli and amberlyn makes this an addictive scent that will cling to your scarf all season long—I'll never not wear this iconic fragrance."

Key notes: Leather, raspberry, sandalwood, jasmine and rose.

If a brand new perfume is what you're after, junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay can't get enough of Cuir Élysées from Balmain Beauty. "In my opinion, this is the perfect transitional fragrance to take you into the new season," she says. "It has hints of sweetness thanks to notes of juicy raspberry, but heady notes of leather quickly cut through to make this a head-turning scent. When I wear it, it feels like slipping on my trusty leather jacket at the first sign of fall."

Key notes: Bitter orange, labdabnum and amber.

A new launch that Vousden is loving from Jo Malone London. "This scent is warm, glowing, a little smoky and reminds me of sitting next to a fire pit at golden hour as the sun slowly sets, the sky a smouldering amber," she tells me. "It's a great scent to take you through summer evenings and into autumn to feel like you've wrapped yourself in cashmere."

Key notes: Musk, cinnamon, cardamom and amber. 

Last year, Dior launched its iconic La Collection Privée fragrances in highly concentrated intensities, which make for seriously long-wearing fragrances. Our favourite is Ambre Nuit, the ultimate warm and cosy autumn fragrance that makes you feel like you're bundled in a cashmere blanket next to a roaring fire. It's a little spicy with cinnamon and cardamom, with a golden amber accord that wraps you in glowing warmth. The musky dry-down will linger for hours on end on your skin.

Key notes: Madagascan vanilla absolute, Palo Santo wood, coconut and white musks.

Another of Vousden's favourites is Vanilla Powder by Matiere Premiere. "Autumn is when I return back to cosy vanilla scents, and Vanilla Powder is one of my all-time favourites," she says. "I love it because it centres around smooth dark vanilla bean without being cloying or sickly sweet. The addition of coconut powder and Palo Santo wood makes this such an interesting and expensive-smelling scent."

Key notes: Clove oil, pink pepper, orange flower, chestnut accord, vanilla accord and cashmeran.

"When I first smelled this on a friend, I had to immediately ask her what she was wearing—she smelt that good," says Vousden. "It lives up to its name, conjuring the feeling of basking in the warm glow of a fireplace on a chilly autumnal day. You get the crackle of burning wood mingling with clove, cashmeran and chestnuts, which makes it a cosy and warming perfume that lingers on your knitwear during the day, but is easily just as wearable as an evening scent."

Key notes: Ambrette, violet, magnolia, sandalwood, chantilly musk and cedarwood.

If you want something cosy but not overbearing, Mojave Ghost is a great woody, skin-like fragrance that works just as well for day as it does for night. Creamy ambrette becomes one with the skin, while glowing amber and musk unfurl into a sandalwood and cedarwood base. It's one of our all-time favourite autumn perfumes that is guaranteed to get you compliments.

Key notes: Fig, cassis, waterlily, orris, iris, jasmine, musk, vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood.

Prefer something fresher among your autumn perfumes? "I've been wearing Phlur's Father Figure, a green, refreshing scent of waterlily, fig and creamy sandalwood which gives a fruity twist to the traditional woody scents that tend to launch around autumn," says Vousden.

Key notes: Bergamot, neroli, orange blossom, iris, ambrette, sandalwood, cedarwood and musk.

Like warm bread and just-baked pain au raisins, Honoré Delights embodies all of the chic luxury of stepping foot into a Parisian boulangerie or pâtisserie without any of the sickly sweetness. It’s sophisticated, mature and unarguably crowd-pleasing. I’m yet to find a soul who doesn’t go back to this one for a second sniff.

Key notes: Pear, freesia, patchouli and amber.

Another Jo Malone London fragrance we can't get enough of in autumn. While the zingy fruitiness of pear might traditionally be considered a lightweight note fit for spring, Jo Malone’s classic English Pear & Freesia has a way of calling out to you on crisp autumn days. It’s fresh, yes, but the woody base gives it a quintessential Englishness that makes it fit for cold October mornings.

Key notes: Iso E Super and iris absolue.

If you have yet to experience the joy of smelling iris, I urge you to give it a go. It’s renowned as one of the most expensive notes in perfumery and is incredibly hard to extract and formulate with. However, when you find a perfume that gets it right, it’s impossible to ignore. It’s soapy but comforting, crisp but deep and leaves the nose asking a multitude of questions. This EDT combines the distinctive joys of iris with the iconic velvety notes of Molecule 01—like a garden full of blooms experiencing the first morning dew of the year.

Key notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood and ambergris accord.

Quite possibly the most iconic fragrance of the last few years (despite actually launching many moons ago). The reason it's so popular? It's stunning. Warming, sweet, and expensive-smelling, it's the sort of perfume that makes you want to nuzzle your face into it and get totally lost. I don't like talking about notes when it comes to Baccarat Rouge 540, because none of them really come through individually—just know it's warming, creamy, sweet, and totally captivating. The downside? It's just as expensive as it smells, so I recommend going in for a smaller bottle before investing the big bucks.

Key notes: Juniper berry, cedar, tonka bean and jasmine.

No one does autumnal scents quite like Diptyque, and this particular fragrance has become my favourite perfume of all time. Blended as an ode to the Parisian bar, Orphéon is powdery, smoky and totally unique. The only way I can describe it is it's as if you're wandering the beauty aisles of Harrods and you walk past a counter full of makeup powders and perfume. It's that level of rich and inviting.

Key notes: Lemon, bergamot, juniper berry, cypress, cedar and vetiver.

Close your eyes and imagine walking the rolling hills of Scotland on a crisp, sunny, autumn day, and you've got Paris-Édimbourg. It was blended as an ode to the Scottish highlands (a favourite destination for Gabrielle Chanel). It's woody, mossy, fresh and head-clearing in the most delightful way. Layer up your knits, throw on a coat and scarf, and finish off with a spritz of this before you head out for an autumnal walk for the best feeling ever—just trust me.

Key notes: Bergamot, neroli, lavender and tonka.

This isn't your nana's lavender soap by any stretch. Instead, Le Labo's Lavande 31 turns the dated flower on its head and creates something totally modern and cool. It's aromatic with lavender, but given a modern twist with neroli and bergamot before drying down into a mysterious woody and cosy base of amber, musk and sweet tonka bean. Imagine ordering a zesty lavender cocktail in a smoky, dimly lit bar and you have this scent.

Key notes: Vanilla and lavender.

A totally addictive option for the autumn months is Burberry Goddess. Although it has the makings of a youthful gourmand fragrance thanks to vanilla notes, it actually feels incredibly musky and sophisticated when spritzed onto the skin. Hints of lavender add an almost woody undertone that makes this the kind of perfume you want to wear again and again.

Key notes: Bergamot, iris and vanilla.

This fragrance is a bestseller for a reason. "I come back to this classic scent every single autumn," says Lindsay. "It's such a warm and sensual perfume. One spritz and suddenly I'm sat in a Parisian wine bar, wrapped up in my finest evening attire as a September chill starts to permeate through the air."

Key notes: Cognac, oak, cinnamon essence, tonka bean absolute, sandalwood, praline and vanilla.

Looking for a statement autumn scent? You might want to try Angels Share by Kilian. This fragrance isn't for the fainthearted, but it's sure to earn you compliments. It smells like cosying up in front of the first fire of the year with a strong cocktail in hand. Notes of cognac take centre stage, while cinnamon, praline and vanilla add a softer touch. If I had to sum it up in one word, I would have to say intoxicating.