I Usually Don't Like Floral Perfumes, But These 13 Have Changed My Mind
From floral icons to new flower-inspired fragrance launches, these are the best floral perfumes that our editors actually wear.
Perdita Nouril
If this time last year, you’d have asked me to sum up my perfume preferences in three words, I probably would have said something along the lines of "woody", "musky" and "punchy".
I have always liked my scents to enter a room before I do, so I lean towards those heavy notes that linger on clothes until the next morning. And whilst these preferences might not be to everyone’s tastes, I quite liked it when my fragrance divided a room. As long as some people found it distasteful, at least I knew I wasn’t smelling the same as everyone else, who were no doubt doused in a delicate, totally inoffensive, crowd-pleasing floral.
But in 2020, I no longer had anyone to fluff up my fragrance feathers in front of. Instead, I was confined to the same four walls with nothing but the intoxicating scents of my favourite perfumes to remind me of the excess and freedom of a previous life. At a time when I needed fragrance more than ever before to lift my spirits, the aromas of my trusty favourites couldn’t serve me anymore. And on top of my love for deep, attention-grabbing scents, it’s also worth noting that I was (and still am) painfully fussy. Finding a perfume to fit my mood on any given day is no mean feat. But luckily, despite all of this, my perfume collection is shockingly vast.
I have shelves and shelves full of perfumes that I just can’t let go of. From oud perfumes and musks to citrus perfumes and gourmands, I own a scent for every occasion. And whilst I spent the best part of that year trying to make my strong scents work in my new way of living, it was always niggling away in the back of my brain that there were a bunch of wildly unloved but beautiful perfumes collecting dust in my cabinets. And so, a few weeks ago, I finally accepted that my beloved woody scents had served their purpose, and it was time for the lighter, floral perfumes to take centre stage.
But that’s not to say I've totally changed my tune. Sure, I’m ready to embrace the uplifting, lightweight freshness of florals, but my perfumes of choice still need to possess a certain je ne sais quoi. They need to smell unlike anything else, ooze expensive (even if it's actually an affordable fragrance) and leave you wanting to go back for just one more sniff. So, after many hours of going through every last bottle in my collection, these are the floral perfumes I’m ready to embrace for a change, and they’re seriously special.
Best Floral Perfumes
- Best overall floral perfume: Chloe Atlier des Fleurs Sable Lavande Eau de Parfum
- Best luxury floral perfume: Chanel Comète Eau de Parfum
- Best affordable floral perfume: Zara Nude Bouquet Eau de Parfum
- Best sweet floral perfume: Parfums De Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
- Best fresh floral perfume: Frédéric Malle Acne Studios Eau de Parfum
- Best summer floral perfume: Jo Loves With Love From London
1. Chloé Atelier des Fleurs Sable Lavande
Notes: Lavender, solar fig, ambrofix
I tend to steer clear of lavender scents as they can lean on the side of old-lady perfume. Happily, this iteration from Chloé smells modern and inspired by the moment when the Mediterranean heat cools before dusk, making it the perfect holiday scent for those who don't like coconut.
Alongside fruity fig, another key note is the sci-fi-sounding ambrofix, which is hailed as perfumery magic. It's a modern interpretation of ambergris, a rare substance historically found in the ocean and produced by sperm whales. Today, perfumers work with lab-made alternatives that reproduce its scent and performance to add depth, saltiness, warmth and serious staying power. If you're after a unique and beautiful floral, this is it.
2. Chanel Comète
Notes: Cherry blossom, aldehydes, iris, heliotrope, musk
Whenever I imagine a beautiful garden wedding, this is what I smell. It’s delicate and powdery, like an English iris garden in the summer, but it has a beautiful creaminess to it that makes it stand out from the rest. It's one of the best Chanel perfumes I've ever spritzed.
3. Zara Nude Bouquet
Notes: Cherry, peony, vanilla
Zara perfumes are brilliant, head-turning fragrances without making your bank account cry. I must admit, this perfume has been a favourite since I first bought it last year. It's a cosy, fresh floral scent with a sweet, powdery dry down. If you're looking for a "clean girl" fragrance to wear throughout summer, you should definitely give this one a try.
4. Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady
Notes: Rose, patchouli, sandalwood, incense, raspberry
If there’s one brand that can win me over with any scent, it’s Frédéric Malle. The brand's most revered creation to date, it's easy to see why this has become a signature scent for so many and why it remains the brand's best-seller. Intricately unique and alluringly powerful thanks to spicy and punchy notes, it's totally captivating whilst maintaining a level of freshness. I totally get what the fuss is all about.
5. Diptyque Orphéon
Notes: Cedar, tonka bean, juniper berry, jasmine
Jasmine can often feel heady and cloying, but this fragrance takes the floral in a strikingly unexpected direction. Inspired by the intimate, smoky energy of a live jazz club, it transforms jasmine into something vibrant yet surprisingly light. I love how the woody notes mingle with juniper and the subtleness of tobacco smoke. It's extremely seductive and has become my go-to for evening wear and date nights. It's not just one of my favourite Diptyque perfumes, but my favourite perfumes full stop.
6. Glossier You Fleur
Notes: Mineral salt accord, osmanthus, ylang ylang, apricot skin, cashmeran, ambrox
This is not your typical floral scent. If you like Glossier's original You fragrance, you will love this. It still has that subtle, soft, comforting aroma that Glossier fans know and love, but with hints of powdery florals that give a fresh take. If you want a perfume to nuzzle your nose into this spring, this is the one for you.
7. Maison Margiela Springtime in a Park
Notes: Lily of the valley, jasmine, rose, pear, blackcurrant
This fruity, sparkling floral is perfect for anyone who wants a mouthwatering scent—trust me when I say you’ll smell good enough to eat. Juicy pear and blackcurrant are offset with floral blooms in a way that feels sparkling and upbeat, rather than sickly sweet.
8. Tom Ford Rose Prick
Notes: Rose de Mai, Bulgarian rose, Sichuan pepper, patchouli
This is a very popular floral scent, and for good reason. Inspired by Tom Ford's private rose garden, one spritz of this is like nuzzling your nose into an expensive bouquet of roses that have just shown up at your door. Of course, like all Tom Ford scents, it has surprising depth, and hints of patchouli add a woody, somewhat spicy edge.
9. Prada Infusion d'Iris
Notes: Italian Mandarin, Neroli, Orris, Cedarwood, Orange blossom
This crisp floral is perfect for those who like their notes to be a tad greener. It's still undeniably floral, but the green edge cuts through the sweetness so it's fresh, airy and effortlessly elegant rather than overly sweet. It's become a go-to daytime wear, ideal for spring outings, brunch with friends, or the office when you want something light yet polished.
10. Parfums de Marly Delina
Notes: Turkish rose, peony, musk, petalia, vanilla, incense, cedar, Haitian vetiver
You might have spotted this iconic bottle all over your TikTok or Instagram feed and I'm here to tell you that it's very much worth the hype. We all know that perfumes smell different depending on the person, but I truly believe that this unique floral fragrance will smell good on everyone.
11. Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
Notes: Lily-of-the-valley, peony accord, centifolia rose, musk, vanilla, benzoin, tonka bean, sandalwood
We can't talk about the best floral perfumes without discussing Miss Dior, which is indisputably one of the most iconic florals in the world and appeals to all generations of floral perfume lovers. With a vibrant bouquet of lily-of-the-valley, peony and rose, it has the smoothness of burying your nose into velvety petals that are both uplifting and sparkling. It has a fruitiness from the peony that comes across like peach skin before drying down into a sensual vanilla and tonka bean base that's sweet, warming and comforting. It never disappoints.
12. Acqua Di Parma Gelsomino a Freddo
Notes: Jasmine, orris, artemisia
If you don’t like powerful scents that walk into a room before you do, this one isn’t for you. When I first saw the bottle, I was expecting something extremely woody and overbearing. While it's true that it steers toward the more masculine side, what you get, however, is a beautiful, balanced mix between the floral and earthy notes with subtle lemon undertones. This is a keeper if you like to stand out from the crowd.
13. Jo Loves With Love From London
Notes: Violet, magnolia, rose
I won't lie, with these notes I expected something heavy, sweet and powdery. Instead, it’s bright, zingy, and unbelievably fresh, while still carrying the softness of a beautiful bouquet. Leave it to Jo Malone to create a floral that feels this refreshing; it's akin to wandering through Kew Gardens or a well-tended garden square in Kensington. As a proud Londoner, it's definitely changed my mind about florals for the better.
What Makes a Perfume Floral?
It may sound obvious, but a floral perfume will often contain notes from some of your favourite flowers. However, this can range greatly from scent to scent. Whilst one floral fragrance may centre around hints of rose, another may feature notes of peony, making it smell totally different. Not only that, but these florals may be accompanied by woody, citrusy or sweet notes, giving them all a unique edge.
What Should I Look for in a Floral Perfume?
To find the right fragrance for you, it's important to think about the kind of perfumes you tend to gravitate towards. If you like holiday scents, look for floral notes such as tiger lily, gardenia or tiare flower. Those of you who like sweet scents may want to look out for jasmine or peony. However, if you want something more powdery, I recommend notes of rose or lily-of-the-valley.
How We Tested
As beauty editors, we test hundreds of perfumes every year. We've tried all the best floral perfumes, from the traditional classics to niche floral perfumes to help you find your favourite. We tested across different budgets, noting the fragrance composition, how well it lasted throughout the day and the perfumes that got us noticed the most.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
