I always tell people my favorite season is summer. In truth, it’s autumn. I whisper this fact, because while autumn is heartrendingly beautiful with its crisp mornings and warm afternoons and a garden still full of dahlias and greens, autumn is also the harbinger of winter. Each delightful, knife-sharp afternoon is a reminder of the rainy days ahead. Each walk through a shuffle of parchment-red leaves portends months of dark, slushy cold. When I can forget all that and focus on the here and now, I love fall.
For courage, I queued up Ian Bostridge’s sad but glorious Schubert lieder and chose ten autumn situations and matching fragrances to write about for today's post:
Making the seasonal transition: All of the sudden, a morning feels colder than the rest. Instead of grabbing a cardigan, you ponder a light jacket. You’re almost ready to fire up the furnace for the first time this year, but not quite yet. A warmer fragrance seems fitting, but you’re not quite tempted to give yourself over to heavy gourmands and orientals. Ormonde Jayne Tolu works nicely now. Its green heart lightens its rich, oriental base. Annick Goutal Eau de Charlotte is a good transitional fragrance, too. It is fresh, but offers the after-school treat of bread, jam, and chocolate.
Dark mornings: Quickly, mornings darken. Yet, afternoons are still clear and warm. L’Artisan Parfumeur Havana Vanille bridges the gap between warmth and chill, lending a delicious, skin heat to a crisp day without overwhelming it. Jean Patou Normandie, if you can get it, is spicy yet not as watery-cold as some spice-laden woody fragrances can be. Guerlain Mitsouko shows how a fruit-tinged chypre is the perfect match for a melancholic mix of sunrise and season.
Hunkering down at work: Now your boss is back from her holiday in Cabo, and she’s unlikely to have patience for your breezy attitude on the job. Bois 1920 Sutra Ylang is orange-wood warm, yet friendly and serious enough to boost you over your beach blues. Hermès Calèche suits when you finally decide to switch from toe-revealing sandals to elegant pumps and suits. Christian Dior Miss Dior is intellectual enough to divert your brain from trashy magazines to work, yet its green, animalic chypre aura isn’t quite full-on winter.
Cleaning out the garden: The zucchini is done. It’s time to put on gloves and clean up the garden. CB I Hate Perfume Black March reflects the mix of mud and rotting stems you’ll encounter as you yank old tomato bushes from the soil. L’Artisan Parfumeur Voleur de Roses's plum-rose-patchouli is a good companion to the slurry of dirt, starling-pecked figs, and wet soil.
Football weekends: It’s been a while since I’ve lost a weekend to football, but I still remember the thrill of cheering for my team. For warmth yet personality, Serge Lutens Vitriol d’Oeillet is a good choice. Hermès Bel Ami's leather and cardamom will stand up to tailgaters’ hot dogs, cheap beer, and exhaust. Bond No. 9 New Haarlem’s coffee and patchouli will keep you awake as you sneak peeks at the Sunday newspaper between quarters.
Afternoon walk: Fall walks are one of the best parts of the season. The air is cool with hints of woodsmoke, leaf rot, and rain. Serge Lutens Chêne is a natural choice because of its fragrance of a hot fire. Bottega Veneta’s sweet leather is full and warm, too, and one of my favorite releases this year. Annick Goutal Duel is a crisp, tea-smoke fragrance, and if I had to name only one favorite autumn fragrance, Duel might well be it. Jean Desprez Bal à Versailles or Miller Harris L’Air de Rien with their dirty, animalic air would be good choices, especially if your fall ramblings are on horseback.
Thanksgiving (or other feasts at home): Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There’s none of the pressure of Christmas, just a hearty meal and lots of board games. Weil Zibéline, Serge Lutens Féminité du Bois, and Jovan Woman all lend a spiciness that go well with sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. The gingerbread-sandalwood warmth of Chanel Bois des Iles is especially marvelous when food mingles with fire and friendship.
Halloween: I can’t give a “best of” for every Halloween costume, but a number of you may be taking Sexy Nurse, Sexy Gypsy, Sexy Witch, Sexy Pirate, etc., for a spin. My first inclination is to encourage you to express your sensuality every day in little ways so you aren’t tempted to tramp it up too much tonight. But if you just can’t help it, try Christian Dior Hypnotic Poison. Its cartoonishly sultry amber-rose should scratch that itch nicely.
Evening by the fire: Speaking of fire, maybe, hopefully, some of your fireside occasions this autumn will be deliciously intimate. For these kind of gatherings, you might want a fragrance that is more complex, yet warm and inviting. The ambery seduction of McGraw by Tim McGraw or Guerlain Attrape Coeur would be good for a first date. Lanvin My Sin or Guerlain Shalimar (or Shalimar Ode à la Vanille) is best moved to the third or fourth date, when your honey is ready to be bewitched by a little more complexity but not overwhelmed by the heat of a full-blown winter perfume.
Evening on the town: The sophistication of Lanvin Arpège and Jean Patou 1000 have conquered chilly maîtres d’hôtel at nightspots for decades. For a more low-key autumn date, Tauer Perfumes Une Rose Chyprée is sure to win hearts with its citrus-floral-wood body.
What are your fall favorites, and when do you like to wear them? Tell us, I'm listening!
You can find more wonderful fall fragrances at Bois de Jasmin :: Grain de Musc :: Perfume Posse :: Perfume Smellin' Things.
Note: top image is GB Pk by Symic at flickr; some rights reserved.
Umm … Angela? Are you sure you meant Hypnotic Poison there? Because the ambery-rose Poison is actually Midnight Poison in the blue bottle.
Hypnotic Poison in the red bottle is all about almonds, vanilla and jasmine sambac and yumminess. Nothing scary about it …
Thinking of Hypnotic Poison, I went to Sephora on Friday to test it–it had been a long time. I definitely got rose buried in amber and a hint of fruit. Could I have pulled the wrong bottle? Very possible!
I haven’t sampled the Hypnotic Poison absolue (or whatever it’s called) but the original one is definitely more on the almond, jasmine sambac and caraway side… can’t say I ever got much rose from it.
Caraway? That sounds good. I probably grabbed the wrong bottle.
No, actually you probably didn’t. The reformulation smells drastically different to my nose. I still have my HP bottle from 1999.
I’m sorry for all the Hypnotic Poison lovers out there that it’s changed so much.
@La Maroc – if you have the bottle of the original HP of 1998, your life is in danger. I would do anything to get my hands on it 🙂
And I am not alone – most probably
Yes, they fooled with the original formula until it became a pale memory of the magnificent potion it once was – still I can’t say I smell any rose in it.
Now if you got the Hypnotic Sensuelle, that’s possible althought it’s got an orchid note, and still no rose or fruit …
It’s heartbreaking to lose a favorite perfume through reformulation.
I thought it smelled different and now you’ve confirmed my suspicions. I remember liking it way back when and when I smelled it recently it was not what I thought it used to be.
I think that Idole Lubin is a perfect transitional scent. It’s autumnal but still transparent.
I reserve Ormonde Jayne Tolu only for the coldest of weathers but OJ Woman is practically crisp autumn day in a bottle.
I pulled out my sample of Etro Shaal Nur a couple of days ago and I was reminded just how fantastic it is with its vetiver opening and spicy dry down. And Messe de Minuit can really work on damp, grey days when air is already filled with smells of fallen leaves and wet earth.
These scents are pure autumn to me, so much so that I don’t really wear them in any other season unlike fragrances like Bandit, Cuir de Russie, Bois des Iles etc which do get worn in autumn a lot but which work equally well year round and don’t get associated with a specific time of the year as a result.
You’re so right about how incense fragrances work well with on damper autumn days. I bet By Kilian Incense Oud would be fabulous, too.
Abyss, your posts always catch my eye. Love Idole, Tolu, OJ Woman, and Shaal Nur!
I read the first two sentences mistakeningly thinking Robin was the author and was like, “Oh. My. God. This is quite the revelation.” Thankfully, the world has not been turned on its head, apparently I just need coffee.
Fall is also my favourite season, but as you so perfectly capture, it is sort of impossible to enjoy in a wistful and carefree manner due to the undercurrent of slight panic at the changes ahead. I’ve been wearing my newly acquired N. 5 like crazy as it’s sort of come to stand for the recent changes in my life including a big move and my excitement at exploring a new place. I love how it’s starting to impregnate things like my hair elastics and jacket collars.
This was a really well-rounded and novel list of fall suggestions, thanks! I especially enjoy your advice re: Halloween. Maybe because I’ve been wearing Tabu lately I don’t feel the need to “sexy nurse” it up this year, lol.
I think I’ve made myself pretty clear on this subject, LOL….
We need to get you a winter home in Australia….
Or Palm Springs, at least.
Why not? There are probably lots of good perfume stores in Palm Springs!
I’m not picky — I’ll take whatever winter home you give me 😉
What a great idea to wear a fragrance a lot to associate with a good change in your life! (And what a change from Tabu.)
Speaking of Tabu, I followed the link to the Bois 1920 Sutra Ylang article of yours…it is absolutely hilarious. “1980s blockbusters party by themselves on another shelf altogether” and “Dana Tabu’s trashy intensity won’t freak out the happy-go-lucky Guerlain Chamade.”–LOL.
I haven’t read that one in a while myself! Someday I’ll have to go back and read some old reviews, except that I’m afraid I’d be horrified.
My three favorite fall scents are SSS Champagne de Bois, Chanel 31 Rue Cambon and Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille.
Nice! I still need to try Champagne de Bois. I hear raves about it all the time.
That’s on my “to try” list too.
Oh thank goodness I’m not the only one! Seems like CdB is on so many people’s favorites lists and I keep MEANING to get a sample. . .some day I’ll remember!
You and me both!
If you like Chanel Bois des Iles, then you will like SSS CdB.
Wonderful picks. I have to try Chene now. There is nothing like the smell of a fire! I myself wore Nuit de Noel today and although I never let the season deter me from wearing it, somehow it seems more appropriate now.
Sometimes I feel bad because I mention Chene so much that people must be getting tired of hearing about it. But I like it! I adore Nuit de Noel, too.
I’m glad you did mention it. I wasn’t aware of that one. Since, I really don’t have access to Serge at my local stores, I tend not to pay attention.
It’s almost impossible to keep up with everything coming out, even with the bigger brands.
I am just trying Chene today, for the first time. I don’t get burning wood, but I do get a walk through an autumn wood. Wow wow wow!
I love it! I don’t get any smoke from burning wood, just pure heat.
I had never watched football before, but I just returned from a Notre Dame home game. My sister is a student there. I wore Dune. It reminds me of my college days. I am enjoying Black Cashmere and Nuit de Noel lately. I’ll wear Angel tonight for Halloween. I always love Missoni on sunny, crisp fall days. The drydown on my scarf is the most floral part. It’s just beautiful.
Angel is perfect for Halloween! I always forget about Missoni. I need to give myself a good spritz of it next time I see a bottle.
I have never seen Missoni anywhere except at the little old-fashioned drugstore in Harvard Square where I bought it. Please spray it on a silk scarf. The drydown is worthy of a classic Guerlain or Chanel. The top and middle are fruity floral with chocolate and amber – pure happiness!
I have Missoni, but usually only break it out in summer. I’ll have to try this – thanks!
Gosh, you make it sound delicious! I definitely must try it.
The weird but wonderful Colonial Drugs! (And now I have to smell Missoni.)
Yes, Colonial Drug! I really miss Boston and Cambridge.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, By Killian Pure Oud and Frapin 1270. I’m wearing TF right now. And I will proudly stand up and say I LOVE FALL!
Nice fragrances! So rich and comforting. And enjoy what fall is left!
Lately I’ve been enjoying CdG Avignon, vintage Lanvin Arpege, Dior Midnight Poison & vintage Shalimar parfum. Looks like it’s time to probably break out the Nuit de Noel, as well.
I just bought a bottle of vintage Arpege at an antiques show, and it’s such a gorgeous floral. It’s amazing how different it is from the new Arpege, which is so nice in its own way.
That’s what I call a classic Angela antiquing find: vintage Arpege!
I try!
Excellent list, Angela! Fall is my favourite season as well and it is doubly bittersweet. I grew up in NH but moved to England 11 years ago ( the things we do for love!) and autumn here is different. Less foliage, less crisp, no apple orchards to stop by and get a bushel and a gallon of cider. It can still be very beautiful but less often and not in the same way. Aaaannyway… For fall I love CBIHP Burning Leaves (home in a bottle), Kenzo Amour, Organza Indecence (creamy cinnamon wood pudding) and Safari (which I ‘see’ as a warm golden floral, like late afternoon light in autumn) with it’s green top notes and warm base. I’ve also recently fallen for Caleche and have been loving my grandmother’s vintage My Sin. Also love the October Moon scent from Olde Salem range of AromaSanctum- woodsmoke, leaves and incense.
Sorry that got a bit long- meant to post not ramble!
I moved from Boston to Hamburg a couple of years ago, and I so missed the New England fall. The difference was as you described. I could not have survived Hamburg’s dark days of winter without my perfumes, especially several Serge Lutens. I’m glad to be back in sunny North America! (But I do miss European life.)
Yet another use of perfume as medicine and antidepressant. Probably less expensive, too, in the long run.
Glad to hear you are happy to be back home! I imagine Hamburg is much darker and certainly snowier than SE England. My brother lives in Reading Ma and whenever he sends outdoor photos of my nephews I just want to climb right into the photo both to cuddle my nephews and to breathe in the fall air. Mmmm.
Fortunately, as you say, European life has it’s advantages- good sausages being one. It’s Bonfire Night on Saturday and looking forward to the lovely soup and sausages! Although still very strange to be watching fireworks in the cold rather than swatting no see ums.
I was at my first tailgating at a Notre Dame football game and the food there made me miss German currywurst! Food is better on Europe. Now I must stop commenting!
Don’t stop commenting!
Your grandmother’s vintage My Sin! Enviable.
I agree!
Not long at all! Caleche is such a beauty. My Sin, too. Moving to England sounds glamorous to me, although your picture of autumn in the NE is really wonderful.
Organza Indecense has been on my “to try” list from the start! The list of notes sounds fabulous, but since it seems to be only available as $35 minis on ebay, I just can’t quite justify the blind-buy! It really does sound lovely, though, so I expect I will eventually have a moment of weakness. . . 🙂
There must be a way to swap for a sample. Somehow. $35 for a mini is ridiculous!
Send me a email at bookwyrmsmith at live dot com and I’ll send you a sample .I think that OI has been re-released in a plainer style bottle.(I have some of the older stuff)
Thanks!
Ah, fall is absolutely my favorite season – though winter and spring, the other cool-weather times of year, come close to it. As a life-long Californian, I only dislike summer: I hate the heat! the sunburn! the boring summer clothes! the eternal glare! But enough of that rant. My favorite fall fragrances (which I have yet to wear this season because the local temps are still too warm): Plus que Jamais, Mitsouko, Bois des Isles. I’m also looking forward to trying the JM Dark Amber & Ginger Lily sample I rec’d in a swap this summer. And, of course, the other commenters here are giving me plenty of new ideas for sampling. Every day now I look at the “cool weather” side of my scent cupboard and say, “Soon, my pretties. . . soon!”
And it will be soon–sooner than you think, I bet!
I recently tried Bois des Iles in extrait, and I’m in love.
As soon as Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Actually, I have worn a few fall faves recently: we had three quite cool days a few weeks ago, so it was Plus que Jamais on the first day, Folie de Rose on day 2, and Bois de Paradis on day 3. BdP is more for winter in my climate, but I wanted it then, and am wearing it again today because it’s yummy for Halloween.
Bois de Paradis is so good to smell–on others. I love it, but I tried it on skin at Aedes, and the sales guy pushed my arm away with a “no.” It’s awful on me.
Oh, and I have to try BdI in extrait – so far I’ve only had the edt sample from Les Exclusifs.
It’s amazing!
Where do they have Bois des Iles extrait? I want to try it, too!
It’s available, but not so easy to find, apparently. It looks like it’s available online through Chanel at $175 for half an ounce.
Fall annoys me no end because that’s the season I have to start wearing pantyhose again (how is it there’s *never* an intact pair in the drawer when you need it?).
I’ve listed my pick for fall on Grain de Musc, but if I really got a chance to dig into my collection instead of testing different things all the time, I’d head straight for Bois de Violette and vintage Mitsouko.
I gave up panty hose a while ago. They run, they never seem to be the right shade, and they’re somehow sinister to look at in the drawer. I wear tights or over-the-knee socks or I go bare-legged, even in below zero temperatures. Of course, it helps to wear boots rather than pumps with dresses.
If anyone could make pantyhose chic, though, it would be you!
Oh, of course mine are the black tulle with a back seam made by Gerbe… Or, yes, opaque black tights.
Much better than those orange-taupey things that come in a plastic egg!
What a beautiful article. I love the journey you’ve conjured up for us!
Thank you!
I recently acquired a new bottle of Aliage. It doesn’t smell like the old stuff probably because of the IFRA restrictions. It’s always been my favourite fall fragrance but it is unavailable here in Canada. I am also a devotee of Givenchy III. Both have a mossy green goodness that’s perfect for the cooler weather, and they’re not a fruity sweet floral!.
Mossy fragrances are so nice in the fall, I agree!
Oh yes! I love Tom Ford Moss Breches this time of year. Yummy!
I’m bummed they discontinued that one!
How funny – Aliage is my choice for the very hottest summer days. When the thermometer exceeds 100F (39C), nothing else is bearable!
A good year-round fragrance, maybe.
I agree . . . a wonderful read. Well done!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Fall is my favorite season! (b/c summer is so HOT here- each beautiful crisp day is heaven)…
You mentioned some of my fall pics: Chene, Bois des Iles, Shalimars. I will add Cartier les Trezieme Heure, Tea for Two and today I sprayed on some Mona di Orio LUX- it is beautiful for fall- a golden shimmering harvest of a scent.
I haven’t tried Lux yet, but the others are wonderful. Gosh, I’m getting more enthusiastic about fall all the time!
I would go for Elixir Des Merveilles, Orchidee Vanille and last but not least …
tam-ta-da-dammm…
Oud Shamash
It’s glorious 😀
Oud Shamash? I haven’t heard of that one. Now I’m off to look it up online…must try it soon.
How did I miss this one? TDC and everything!
🙂
It’s a must try, trust me.
And I would delight in your review I’m sure!
Fall in Central Florida is pretty cool IMHO, not because we have the changing of the colors or significantly cooler temps, but because we do rid ourselves of the humidity that comes with the dog days of summer. High 70’s with no humidity is pretty grand stuff.
My fav fall scent is SL’s Daim Blond. I love it. The mix of apricots and suede is so beautifully elegant. As someone once commented to me when I was wearing it “You smell like a million bucks!” I agree, I did 🙂
What a great compliment! It could have come straight from a 1940s movie, too, which makes it extra terrific.
I agree! And the compliment came from a younger fellow which made the different era style of the compliment stand out even more.
Excellent!
Best compliment ever!
I hope you said, “Thanks, doll!” like a 1940s heroine…
That response would have been perfect…too bad I didn’t think of it. Lol! I could only remember the “thanks” part 🙂
I’m trying to decide whether to buy a full bottle of either Chergui (whose wind song stays on my mind, stays on my mind . . . ) or Bortrytis, which is SO wine-tasting-in-autumn. I only smelled Chergui once and wasn’t able to buy it on the spot because the shop was out of stock, and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. I’ve worn my sample of Bortrytis to two mushroom festivals, and I have one more outing left in the vial. What would you do?
I’d vote for Chergui because I know exactly what you mean. Last fall, I sprayed Chergui on one arm and Feminite du Bois on the other, bought the FdB and walked out of the shop. Three days later, I was still thinking about how gorgeous Chergui was – I wasn’t in a position to afford another Lutens but luckily, the FdB was unopened and the store could swap. I haven’t broken it out yet – it’s been CdG Jaisalmer, Tea for Two and Cuir Mauresque for me so far.
Gosh, both Chergui and FdB are beautiful. I don’t know which one would win the contest for me.
I would get a sample or small decant of Chergui before going for the bottle – don’t know either of those, so can’t help you decide!
Smart!
If it were me, it would be Chergui all the way. But it would probably be smart to get your hands on a sample if you can, first.
Those are both beautiful for fall!
I’ve been loving L’arte di Gucci lately. The cooler weather tames it a bit. I’m running out of my decant though and considering tracking down a FB. Lately I’ve been falling hard for this.
I also really like Frapin 1270 – the boozy notes are great for fall, and the sweetness is tempered – it can become a bit overpowering sometimes I find, at least on me.
Finally, a guilty pleasure for fall: Prada Candy. I have a spray tester vial of it and can’t believe how much I enjoy it. I held my arm out for my mother to smell and she said “cotton candy” but i really like it despite how sweet it is.
All great fragrances! I’m so sad it’s so hard to find L’Arte di Gucci these days.
Angela, a dedication for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kP8jPa1wCg
Enjoy! 😀
I’m swooning! Such a beautiful, beautiful song. Thank you!
Angela,
Thanks for mentioning Caleche. I have been thinking of it as too morning-ish/citrusy and using it as a room spray. Wore it this afternoon, and it isn’t as off-putting as I been thinking. So, back on the perfume shelf and out of the room spray bucket!
Really, it can be quite naughty if given the chance. Do give it a fair run on skin!
I usually like fall too but after getting a foot of snow yesterday we seemed to have fast- forwarded into winter. The leaves haven’t even fallen yet!
Great list of scents to try. I’m thinking I may need to buy myself a bottle of something as a reward for shoveling.
I hope fall comes back again, and you don’t go sailing straight into winter. Yes, you deserve a bottle of something new!
This fall is my first in the belly of full-perfumistahood, so I don’t have go-to scents, yet. . . I’m enjoying scents that seemed too heavy for summer, but not spicy like I wanted last winter. I wearing Bill Blass Nude, which I disliked when I first tried it last winter, but now like the fruity softness. I also am still wearing my lovely OJ Woman, my last FB purchase, although I miss how the heat amplifies it.
I am completely a “transitional season” prefer-er. I have always liked fall and spring best–I like how tumultuous and “schizophrenic” the weather can be these times of year–Sunny one minute, raining the next. Keeps me alert to my surroundings and in the moment!
This is my first fall as a perfumista too! And I really appreciate what you said about transitional seasons and being in the moment. I was dreading the end of summer, but this fully charged olfactory autumn is glorious.
Yes, I feel that I am especially aware of the delicious scents of autumn this year! I think I’ve always been more olfactorily-focused, but especially now that I’ve given my nose some training. 🙂
Isn’t OJ Woman the best? I do love that fragrance.
I wish I could participate in this conversation, but it’s still hot in Los Angeles with temps in the 80’s. How I long for fall…
I will envy you in March, but not today. . . 😉
Well put!
I’m a freak, I guess, but I don’t like the heat. It’s misery to me.
I know you have good company out there.
It will be here soon enough! 80s sound so nice now.
First by VCA came out my first semester of college. I fell for it hard, wore it every autumn for a decade. Tried some a few years ago and nearly wept over what’s been done to it. Your lovely post makes me want to track down some high-octane vintage, though I also should sniff around more for something to take its place. I’m open to suggestions!
Gosh, it’s hard to think of a good, contemporary match for vintage VCA. The search could be fun, though. I hope you find something extra special for your autumns to come.
Autumn is my favorite season, flat-out. Always. I’m shameless about saying so.
Fragrances I’ve loved in fall weather: SSS Champagne de Bois and Tabac Aurea, Silences, Cuir de Lancome, Shalimar Light, Liz Zorn Centennial. Have recently fallen hard for Tableau des Parfums Miriam, with its aldehydes, nostalgic rose-violet, and beautiful sandalwood… sigh.
One wonderful thing about fall I learned long ago: to take its beauties and joys seriously, and to soak them up, because they’re fleeting, and all the more beautiful for it.
I’m sorry to say goodbye to marching band season. Took my youngest trick-or-treating tonight, for what may be the last time. (He went Viking again. Ever see a 4′ 5″ Viking with an axe, bearskin cape, horned helmet… and glasses? Funny.) I love, love LOVE dry leaves – the smell, the crunch, the joy. The bluest skies, and the way the light slants golden on the fields in the afternoon? Fall at its best. SO beautiful.
You are so good at enjoying the season as it is, where I find myself worrying too much about the winter to come. I will take a lesson from you (and from your bespectacled Viking) and enjoy each day for what it is.
Thank you Angela for bringing back Autumn feelings…..over here we have a lower humidity (we can actually keep windows open and feel the air) and the general feeling of end Autumn is more like a perfect temperate end of summer day in South Africa. We have fewer things to enjoy…no leaves or nature (unless you make a BIG effort to get out into it)…thus we have to really enjoy the subtle nuances in changing of seasons. Well, windows open and lower humidity is HUGE when put in perspective. I pulled out plus que jamais, loving bottega ventta and think that Violet Blonde would be perfect, but don’t have any. I am looking forward to Bois de isle and attrape coer and serges…but in a few weeks…when we could feel a chill . I must admit though, I have used a tiny drop of Amber SUltan on the odd day.
I never thought about how it would be to experience the change of seasons without lots of trees around. I like your description of being sensitive to the slight temperature and humidity changes.
I totally love Bottega Veneta, will be my to go scent this fall/winter
It’s one of mine, too!
It’s really a beauty! I also like the new-ish Lubin Black Jade this fall.
I have a few drops of that, and it really is pretty. I’ll have to give it a more thorough testing.
no matter how long I’ve been sampling different scents, I am still amazed at how many more out there i have yet to hear of and try! Its been a while since I’ve read a post and not heard of a few fragrances mentioned in it! Sutra Ylang, Jovan Woman, Weil Zibéline and McGraw are all news to me!
My current fall favourite seems to be Tolu as well – I have a sample that the lovely Monica in Pavilion Row procured for me. As you say, the greenness gives it a bright, joyful character before it settles into the sweet, powdery resinous dry down.
Another that I can’t stop wearing is Dzongkha – every time I wear it, its complexity on my skin utterly entrances me. It seems to be everythign rolled into one – earthy and leathery, yet floral and feminine, odd and mysterious. Very enjoyable!
Dzongka is perfect for fall. Such a gorgeous, complex, meditative fragrance.
I know what you mean about stumbling over new fragrances. It happens to me all the time!
Angela, I totally loved your list. Thank you.
You’re welcome, of course!
Wow! Great topic.
For me the return of fall begins with the bottle of citrus based scents being gently pushed to the back–not too far mind you, there might still be a warm day…
The first few cool morning always make me reach for a light amber. Zara Ambar is the one I usually go for. When the cashmere sweaters are needed, Encre Noire and Grey Vetiver help me start my day.
The fall afternoon walks tend to bring out my favorite Lutens: Chêne, of course, but also my all time favorite Chypre Rouge. Louve comes out from time to time, as the weather turns from cool to cold. But Chanel pour Monsieur also comes out more often, paired with jeans, a tweed jacket, a pair of brogues and a nice scarf. It is such an elegant, yet casual scent that it is perfect for a long fall walk in the city (read:early Christmas shopping).
For a night on the town, fall marks the return of Bvlgari Black, Antaeus, and Amouage Silver.
Vetiver is so good in autumn. And you’re right–there’s something about autumn’s smell, temperatures, and colors that goes so well with a bottle of something Serge.
Angela, thank you for the article. A lot of us seem to love fall. So many good smells! Many of my favorite fragrances have been mentioned. I will add Mauboussin and Frapin 1270, both contenders for Thanksgiving dinner. Dried fruit or booze? Either will be perfect turkey-friendly choices!
And, inexplicably, I love violet fragrances in the fall. Especially those with wood or moss notes. Two that have my attention right now: Balmain Jolie Madame and i Profumi di Firenze Violetta di Bosco. Well, and I suppose the oft-mentioned OJ Woman falls into this category, too! 🙂
I never really thought about it, but there really is something nice about violets and autumn! I think I’ll make Jolie Madame my scent of the day.
Great Article..I love autumn too, here in the Netherlands the weather has been really good lately, lot’s of sunshine, so had some great walks in the woods…beautiful colours, great smell!!
My favourites for fall are Bois Torride and Oriental Brulant by Guerain, Sienne l’Hiver by Eau d’Italie and Autumn by Micallef and SL Ambre Sultan.
Just reading those names brings a delicious flow of scents through my brain. So nice!
I love Love, Chloe right now, especially for evenings, still using the Elie Saab, sometimes I prefer something heavy like EL Sensuous Noir. I am smitten by Midnight Poison and am thinking of getting that when I am in that mood. In the winter it would be lovely I think but I am wondering if you meant this one too because this is the Poison with amber and rose. I somehow do not like Hypnotic Poison at all and wonder why when it definitely has some fans. That gourmand Chanel sounds great, I need to go try that and reread your list so I can find more ideas:)))
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I pulled the wrong Poison. I need to hop down to Sephora and check it out and see.
Fall is such a good time to wear perfume! So many fragrances go well with the cooler air and sort of “lusher” feeling.
I agree, fall is the best time for perfumes in my opinion. I have also always said that summer is my favorite season but one thing I hate about it is that I cannot find nice fragrances to wear when it is hot. Somehow, everything I like smells horrid then. You are right that autumn is a gorgeous season and with the years passing I have become increasingly fond of it but the only thing I hate about it too is that it reminds us of the darkness and cold weather that is ahead. Still, for fragrances it is an awesome season (spring is another one:))).
That’s how I feel too! I love fall, but winter casts a huge shadow over it. I’m loving wearing my cooler weather fragrances now, though.
Me too, that is the one thing I love about winter, winter frags are gorgeous. Like I said I always have trouble with finding summer fragrances I would like since I despise fruity frags. However, I have come to the right place, come summer I am sure I will get great ideas here.
Fall and winter are so much easier for perfume! But, yes, if you check back at the Best of Summer lists for the past few years, you’ll find lots of ideas. I know I have.
Thanks Angela, I definitely will. Yeah I love fall and winter for fragrance, hey at least there is one thing at least we love about winter:))) I think spring is ok, better than summer for sure. I am thinking Elie Saab will be nice for spring, I am not wearing that much right now, I miss wearing it and sniff the bottle at times at home but it has been so dark here pretty much every day, we no longer get to see any sun and expecting big snow. Lately I have been doing some lighter florals in the summer but will check the lists for sure, I think I got some time on my hands until I need that.