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

Key notes: Bergamot, African orange flower, osmanthus, musk, patchouli, vetiver, 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: Galbanum essence, blackcurrant accord, aldehydes, orris butter, labdanum, orange blossom accord, white vanilla accord, vanilla liquor accord, Madagascar vanilla CO₂, ambrofix, musks

If a brand new perfume is what you're after, deputy beauty editor Grace Lindsay can't get enough of this Byredo scent. "In my opinion, this is the perfect transitional fragrance to take you into the new season," she says. "It's a unique take on vanilla, with a boozy, rich element that reminds me of afternoons spent in cosy pubs with roaring fires. That said, the green, earthy opening gives it a crisp, juicy edge, and it's this contrast that makes the perfume just so captivating."

Key notes: Bergamot, iris, 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: Madagascan vanilla absolute, Palo Santo wood, coconut, white musks

Another of Vousden's favourites is Vanilla Powder by Matiere Premiere. "Autumn is when I return 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: Pear, freesia, patchouli, 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: Cocoa smoke co-distillation, orange essence, balsam, patchouli, ambrofix

This is, hands down, one of the best perfumes I've smelt this autumn. As the name suggests, it has this warm, smoky undertone; however, the addition of cocoa and orange essence creates this rich, gourmand, honey-like sweetness that I honestly can't get enough of.

Key notes: Musk, cinnamon, cardamom, amber

A couple of years ago, 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: Clove oil, pink pepper, orange flower, chestnut accord, vanilla accord, 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 just as wearable as an evening scent."

Key notes: Fig, cassis, waterlily, orris, iris, jasmine, musk, vanilla, patchouli, 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: Iso E Super, 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: Juniper berry, cedar, tonka bean, 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 unique. The only way I can describe it is that 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, 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, 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: Cognac, oak, cinnamon essence, tonka bean absolute, sandalwood, praline, vanilla

Looking for a statement autumn scent? You might want to try Angels' Share by Kilian. This fragrance isn't for the faint-hearted, 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.