The Fall Fragrances That Will Define this Season
Image via Dries Van Noten
As autumn arrives, it’s time for fragrances that feel warm, rich, and full of character. These 10 fragrances below are the ones we think will capture this year’s fall season.
Every fall, we look forward to the shift that happens when fragrance meets cooler air. Scents that feel light in summer suddenly gain weight and dimension. Notes of smoke, amber, and vanilla find their place, while florals and botanicals take on a richer, more textured presence. This season’s lineup captures that transformation beautifully, offering perfumes that are refined, grounding, luminous, and imaginative.
Chanel 1932, part of the house’s Les Exclusifs collection, is a fragrance that feels like golden light breaking through clouds. Built around jasmine, it’s brightened with grapefruit and pear, faceted with iris and vetiver, and softened by musk and incense. What makes it perfect for fall is its elegance, it has the sparkle of a citrus top note yet enough warmth in its base to settle beautifully in cooler weather. It’s like wearing a whisper of sunshine on a crisp autumn afternoon. In contrast, Vintner’s Daughter limited edition Understory Vol. 3 takes a different path, one that leads into the earth itself. Hand blended and inspired by the understory of Northern California’s redwood forests, it layers jasmine and violet with conifers, bay, moss, and petals. The composition shifts as it warms on the skin, dynamic and alive. It is grounding yet full of movement, a fragrance that feels as layered as the forest it was inspired by.
Armani’s Noir Kogane carries a name that hints at duality. “Kogane” means golden, yet paired with “Noir” it suggests radiance wrapped in shadow. The fragrance plays with this tension, offering a refined richness that unfolds slowly, revealing layers that feel both luminous and intimate. It is a scent for evenings when the sky darkens early and the air feels sharp. Above Us, Steorra from Aesop looks to the night sky for its inspiration. Bergamot, cardamom, and elemi ignite a spark before yielding to cypriol, frankincense, and labdanum, giving it a smoky, resinous center. Vanilla bean lingers at the base with a richness that feels almost like spiced rum. The result is what Aesop calls a “celestial amber,” a fragrance that feels transportive and contemplative, like tracing constellations on a clear fall night.
Few scents embody the sensual side of autumn like Ambre Narguile from Hermès. Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena imagined it as swirls of honeyed smoke touched with fruit and spice. Amber, rum, caramel, and cinnamon create a composition that is opulent yet comforting, while vanilla and tonka bean soften the edges. It is the fragrance equivalent of sinking into a velvet chair beside a fire. Then there is Grand Cuvée by Vacation®, a perfume that feels like a toast to life itself. Inspired by the brand’s Luxuriant Chardonnay Oil, it opens with sparkling notes of argan, chardonnay, vanilla bean, and peach eau de vie. At its heart, amber and cedarwood create a soft, radiant warmth. The base rounds out with cognac and the effervescence of a sabered champagne cork, leaving a lingering impression that is celebratory yet grounded. This fragrance embodies autumn’s elegance and generosity, capturing both the spirit of luxury and the fleeting joy of the season.
Few scents embody the sensual side of autumn like Ambre Narguile from Hermès. Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena imagined it as swirls of honeyed smoke touched with fruit and spice. Amber, rum, caramel, and cinnamon create a composition that is opulent yet comforting, while vanilla and tonka bean soften the edges. It is the fragrance equivalent of sinking into a velvet chair beside a fire. With My Devotion Intense, Dolce & Gabbana takes a more modern approach. Master perfumer Olivier Cresp created a luminous gourmand that opens with pear blossom and cassis before unfolding into a heart of peony and orange blossom. At its base, Madagascar vanilla adds depth and sensuality without ever becoming heavy. The fragrance celebrates self-devotion, turning autumn’s introspection into something radiant and personal.
Inspired by the tiger’s eye stone, Le Gemme Tygar by Bvlgari is bold and energetic. Citrus brightness cuts through a deeper base, creating a striking balance that feels both powerful and refined. It carries the vitality of fall days when the air feels alive, demanding something a little more daring. Vanilla Salt from Ellis Brooklyn offers a gourmand with a refreshing twist. Creamy Madagascar vanilla is tempered with sea salt, mineral notes, and desert water, while whipped cream and jasmine petals soften the composition. The effect is addictive without being overly sweet, like sunlight glinting on ocean foam just as the season begins to cool. It is modern, playful, and unexpectedly uplifting for autumn.
These fragrances remind us that autumn is not just about heaviness or spice. It is a season of balance, where light and shadow, comfort and daring, coexist. From forest botanicals and celestial ambers to radiant gourmands and gemstone-inspired power, each perfume adds its own layer to the tapestry of fall.