At last, spring! It's taken long enough, and if your local weather has been anything like mine, you might be wondering if winter is not quite done playing games with you yet. Here are 10 perfumes (and another 10+ alternatives, because everyone needs choice, right?) to cover the full range of (crazy) spring weather, from boots to sandals and back again. As always, do add your own picks in the comments, or go read the lists at Bois de Jasmin, Grain de Musc, Perfume Posse and The Non-Blonde.
Sonoma Scent Studio Forest Walk: When I reviewed Forest Walk, I said you could wear it year-round but that the outdoorsy blend of earthy notes and pine-y woods was perfect for chilly fall evenings. Turns out it suits a brisk spring night just as well — I've been reaching for it lately after the sun goes down and my daytime perfume has long since faded. The alternative: Annick Goutal Nuit Étoilée.
Parfums DelRae Wit: If you want pretty, gosh, Wit is about as pretty as they come. It launched right around this time last year, and I've been wanting a bottle ever since. Do try it if you love daphne, or if you love pretty florals in general, and certainly if you swooned over any of DelRae's early perfumes. The alternatives: Byredo Flowerhead, Kerosene Pretty Machine, or see 5 perfumes: pretty spring florals.
Lush Kerbside Violet: Lush's new Kerbside Violet lives up to its name: it's violets, yes, but if you want your violets all done up in a tidy bouquet with a ribbon to match, you'll have to look elsewhere. Which isn't to say it isn't pretty (it is) or wearable (it's that too). Plus, I suspect it will be a decent layering agent (and a matching cream would be perfect), and extra bonus, it's reasonably priced. The (pricier) alternatives: Atelier Sous le toit de Paris for girly, Oriza L. Legrand Violettes du Czar for old-fashioned.
Dries Van Noten par Frédéric Malle: If flowers aren't what you're after, Dries Van Noten's signature scent makes an excellent transitional sandalwood, elegant but relaxed, with just enough spiced biscuit to keep things cozy on those early spring days when you still need a sweater. The alternatives: Parfums DelRae Panache or Hermès Cuir d'Ange.
Diptyque Volutes: Another option for the no-flowers-please crowd, or anyone who just wants a change of pace from the usual spring fare at the perfume counters, Volutes (especially in the Eau de Toilette) is a light-as-air, easygoing take on honey and tobacco, and has converted more than one tobacco-hating perfumista. The alternative: Ineke Field Notes from Paris.
Chanel Misia: Switching back to flowers again, although Misia's blend of rose and violet in a swirl of cosmetic powder isn't really your typical spring bouquet. Anyone else think this will be one of the biggest sellers in the Les Exclusifs series? The alternative: Balenciaga Paris L'Eau Rose.
Hermès Le Jardin de Monsieur Li: Admittedly, Monsieur Li is more of a summer scent than a spring scent, but I'm probably going to wear it all year, as I do Jardin Sur Le Nil, and also, I'm not doing the summer list this year so I have to get my picks in while I can, right? A sorta greenish / sorta jasmine-ish meditation by perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, and so presumably you'll either love it or you'll think it's murky dishwater. The alternative: Annick Goutal Un Matin d'Orage.
Kerosene Unforsaken: This springtime citrus floral with creamy gourmand accents might turn out to be overkill a few months from now — it's not massively sweet, but it is a gourmand — but meantime, it's the ideal thing to cheer you up on an April morning that feels dispiritingly like February. The alternative: see 5 perfumes: consider the creamsicle.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Seville à l’Aube: Angie included this one in her Top 10 of Spring last year, and I'll second the nomination. Seville's dusky-but-not-heavy blend of orange blossom and faint incense wears beautifully as the weather starts to turn warmer and a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of....well, you'll have to read the book. The alternative: Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier (which I don't think I've seen mentioned in eons?) or Fleurs d'Oranger.
Guerlain Terracotta Le Parfum: For anyone else who is happy to see spring arrive but will be even happier when it's finally summer, Terracotta Le Parfum is back, after selling out nearly everywhere last spring. It's a bit beachy, but it's not so decidedly beachy (Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess) that you'll feel that you're jumping the gun when you wear it now. Let's hope they made enough bottles to go around this year. The alternative: Lolita Lempicka Elle L'Aime.
What's in your spring rotation this year?
Note: top image is Orange tulip [extended & brightened] by Rick Ligthelm at flickr; some rights reserved.
I wonder what it is that makes me like lists so much? How exactly has evolution reached the conclusion that irrational list-love is a desirable trait in humans (because I know I’m not a alone in this)? Anyway, this is an especially fine example, glad to see Forest Walk, Kerbside Violet and Monsieur Li. And yes, I think Misia will sell insanely well, although it will never be among my top 5 Les Exclusifs. Or even top 10.
My spring rotation is pretty predictable and I’ve mentioned them all so many times that it’s getting boring: Apres L’Ondee, Cristalle, Narcisse Bleu, Tokyo Bloom, Iris Silver Mist, Fleur de Chine and some Boutonniere no. 7 and Lys Fume for a bit of glamour. But there are two things I haven’t worn but really want to try: the re-launched Vacances and Ostara by Penhaligon’s.
A list of reasons why our brains love lists (!):
http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/a-list-of-reasons-why-our-brains-love-lists
Great article! Thanks for link
I am dying to try the Vacances reissue! Denyse has it on the Grain de Musc spring perfume list.
I have not seen a single one of the Patou reissues anywhere…wish they were more widely distributed.
The earlier ones are on the Bergdorf Goodman website, but even they don’t have Vacances yet. And the primary decanters don’t seem to have them. Harrumph!
Oh, so sorry…did not mean I had not seen them online! Meant I have not seen testers anywhere in person, and don’t think I’m likely to.
Robin, I was harrumphing at the anti-perfume Fates, not you, of course.
Oh, yes, I did know that too! I just meant I was sorry I made you tell me they could be found online when I already knew that.
Me too!
Hi Annikky!Another lover of lists over here!!Lol!Even the fantasy lists we sometimes compile are sooo much fun!!And getting to know fellow perfumistas’ lists:even better!!Some awesome selections on everyones’ lists!Love love!!xo Johanob
Hi there, Johanob! Lets keep the lists coming then
Your comment about lists reminded me of this 2013 article from the New Yorker:
http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/a-list-of-reasons-why-our-brains-love-lists
Nice list! I’m convinced that Misia will be very successful for Chanel; not as austere as 28 La Pausa or as aloof as 31 Rue Cambon. I’m not sure I’d consider it a spring fragrance though, it seems rather wintery and almost snowy to me?
Does it seem wintery? Hope others will chime in. It’s possibly a 3 season scent to me — don’t think I’d wear it in very hot weather.
“Aloof”? People so often seem to dismiss my favorite Chanels – no 19, no 5, 31 Rue Cambon – with this adjective. I find these scents rather contemplative, and I do love to wear them, as well as others that have (to me, anyway) a similar mood, especially Guerlain Plus que Jamais. Maybe introspective, more than aloof?
Introspective is a better word for it, I agree. I must add though, I wasn’t dismissing it at all – I’ve always liked that character it has (I’m at the tail end of my 75ml bottle of 31 rue Cambon and have bottles of 5 and 19) and it’s something that automatically says ‘Chanel’ to me. Perfume for people passionate about perfume.
I splurged on an FB of Misia right after it was released, and have been wearing it at least several times a week. It does work well as a spring scent, at least on my skin. The not-too-sweet powderiness makes it less austere and more cheerful than something like 28 La Pausa, and the violet note is nicely balanced with rose and a light leather. I’m not a fan of all-florals, which makes Misia a nice spring option!
I’ve gotten quite a few compliments on it so far; non-perfumistas seem to like it, and it definitely stands out from the run-of-the-mill celebuscents and mall-bait.
Like Robin said, I doubt it would make a good hot-weather frag; the powderiness would be too much in high temps.
Robin I love your list, even though I have not tried some of them
The weather where I am has been so cold that it doesn’t even feel like spring so my perfumes of choice haven’t exactly been my “spring scents”…however, next week the weather is predicted to be in the sixties-yes!
Lately I have been wearing alot of Dame Perfumery’s Black Flower Mexican Vanilla and Dark Horse (both very comforting to me). Usually the spring is when I crave orange blossom, lavenders and greens…..Ineke’s Field Notes from Paris and Angel’s Trumpet (my bottle is almost empty!), SSS Forest Walk and Lieu de Reves, 1000 Flowers Fleur no.1 (an ode to no 19), Love is Sweet (great violet) and Reglisse Noire ….and my new orange blossom love is Dame Perfumery’s Passionfruit, Orange Blossom and Vetiver…..and my vintage samples of no 19, Calandre, Metal, Nikki de Saint Phalle, Diorissimo and Aliage.
One of these days I am going to purchase a full bottle of Seville A L”aube…so many commenters rave about it on NST I am sure I will love it!
Great post…I always get such good ideas of what I want to try in the future!
Oh and I forgot…AG eau de Camille!
It has hardly felt like spring here as well…finally warm again today, but rainy. I need to try more of the Dame Perfumery scents…
Oh I wish you would…and a review or two, pretty please
!
But seriously, for eight bucks and fifty cents (free shipping) you can get a travel size and Mr. Dame,who is incredibly generous, will usually throw in at least three other smaller samples.
I think he sent the first one or two, and maybe didn’t send more because we didn’t review them? Or I’m confused. I know I had a sample of the leather.
Terracotta is on my list as well. I think I will wear it today!
For Chanel: Cristalle Verte & No 19 Poudre
Juste en Reve
Carven Le Perfume
Amouage Beloved
Like you I also love Sandalwood -I will go for “vintage” Samsara
Ha, vintage Samsara will make my poor Dries Van Noten cower in the corner
I would also add Terracotta to my list. Others I like are Daisy, Jo Malone Sakura Cherry Blossom and Kai.
Great survey of the field, Robin!
Thank you!
I wear a lot of no 19 in the spring along with my decant of En Passant and Un Coeur en Mai. Sometimes Nasomatto Nuda fits the bill too.
Great picks, all of them! And it’s crazy that I don’t have a lily of the valley on my list.
Yes, thanks for the list. I’m a list-lover too. I must try the SSS and the L’Artisan. Today I put on Le Labo Fleur d’Oranger and then layered it last minute with L’Erbolario Maharees (poor man’s Musc Ravageur) to warm it up since it’s chilly here. I’ve slso been enjoying TDC Bois d’Iris, Une Fleur de Cassie, Iris Poudre and the last of my Chanel no 18 decant these days. I love Dries and have my eye on that for next fall.
Love “poor man’s Musc Ravageur” — I need to find a poor man’s Carnal Flower!
Ha! That’s one that’s hard to replace for hardcore fans. I’m taking a natural scent blending workshop next WE at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Hoping to try and “copy” a couple of things I don’t want to buy. We’ll see…
Hey, you never know! If you come up with a dupe, I’ll buy it
Great list – thank you for lots of ideas!
I seem to love Mimosa pour Moi at this time of year, also really pondering getting small bottles (10ml) of Lys Mediterranee and En Passant.
Thanks for the additions! All good.
Fantastic list! I’m always happy to see Wit heaped with praise, as it’s about as close to a Holy Grail as I’ve found. Other spring scents for me might include Vero Profumo Mito (I’d wear this beauty year-round, actually, but it really calls to mind a sun-warmed garden in the morning), AG Chevrefeuille, En Passant, Tom Daxon Crushing Bloom, and Pacifica California Star Jasmine (which smells exactly like my neighborhood in L.A. in spring).
Always glad to hear a mention of Le Chevrefeuille — so gorgeous. I need to try the Crushing Bloom, such a great name for a perfume.
I like Cal Star Jasmine as well but for me it is more of a scent I wear in the summer….and the soap is a staple in my house in the summer…smells so good!
Hey Robin, thanks for listing Séville à l’aube yet again on NST! If I hadn’t already put Misia and Terracotta le parfum down in other seasonal top tens, I’d definitely have done so in this round-up! I also think that Misia should sell well – and since it’s Olivier Polge’s first scent for Chanel where he’s set to replace his father, I’m happy it’s so good… Among the Exclusives, 1932 has turned out to be a great go-to fragrance for me: it’s easier to pick than 31 rue Cambon, which to me is the best of the line.
No need to thank me, it’s a fantastic scent.
Would agree 31 Rue Cambon is the best, but I almost never wear it, so there you are.
It’s an AWESOME PERFUME Denyse…Perdection-springtime fumes!,Love love!!
I’m a new Wit convert having wisely been instructed to hold off until Spring to try this one. It is beyond beautiful. I’ve never heard of Daphne before, but meyer lemons when in season are regularly stocked in my fridge. I just ordered some samples of other DelRae scents to try. Unforsaken is also one I’d like to get a whiff of one day soon.
It’s so nice to rotate out the rich, cozy winter scents for these lighter, floral scents.. thanks for the list!
Will be interested what you think of the earlier DelRaes. I adored Debut but don’t know what it’s like now since some of the components were probably restricted by IFRA. Amoureuse is also gorgeous but not nearly as easy to wear as Wit.
I agree that Misia will be the best seller of The Exclusifs. I think it will be great for all the Seasons and is wearable for day and night. I can’t get enough of it!
Not a bad way to start your new job at Chanel!
My spring favorites seem to change every year, but as of last weekend I have Shalimar EDT, Shalimar PI L’Eau, Chamade, No. 19, No. 19 Poudre, Matin d’Orage, La Chasse, EL Tub. Gardenia, Silences, Vent Vert, Paris, Arpege, Baiser Vole, and SSS Jour Ensoleille out on my dresser for spring. I may need to add Seville la Aube to the collection.
I always reach for La Chasse in the spring, and should be wearing Paris more often too. And so happy to see a mention of Vent Vert!
I think Misia will be a hit because its just so easy to like. It’s more sophisticated than Delice des Fleurs, less unnerving than Ormonde Jayne’s Woman, airier and more versatile than Lipstick Rose and friendlier than Stephen Jones. Actually its the only exclusive that I think I could warm up to.
*Watches all her perfumista credit blow out the window…lol!
‘Exclusif’.
All true. I do think Beige & 1932 (and Bel Respiro, for that matter) are also easy to like. Misia is more romantic than any of those though, and a better fit w/ current trends in perfume.
Can’t remember Beige or 32 offhand, but although I like Bel Respiro very much (except for the brevity if it’s lifespan), I’m not sure I was born loving airy bright green scents the way I was born loving sweet violet
My spring fragrances don’t seem to change much from year to year, unless the weather is unseasonal (there was a spring a couple of years ago that was so cold and rainy that I didn’t feel much like wearing my usual greenies, and stuck to Jolie Madame, Cuir de Lancome, and Memoir Woman). It’s green florals, mostly, or springy florals, and I love spring best.
What’s in my current rotation: Chamade. No. 19. Crown Bouquet. Le Temps d’une Fete. Amoureuse. DK Gold. Deneuve. The aforementioned Jolie Madame and Cuir de Lancome (but not Memoir, it’s warmer this year). Ferre 20. Diorissimo ca. 2006, which I have to be in the mood for. I always haul out my sample of Carillon pour une Ange in spring, too.
New to the mix: Decants of Wit and Flowerhead. Safari, which I fell for last spring and sometimes get addicted to wearing for strings of days at a time.
Our lists intersect mostly at Diorissimo, although Gold would qualify too if I had any.
I’m late to the party and am wondering if Terracotta is really coming back?? During the freebie meet I was gifted with a decant and fell for it. Would love to get another bottle. When I checked the Guerlain site, I didn’t see it. Have they announced a new release date?
It is back in the US for now…Neiman Marcus has it, among others.
Call Sybil at Bergdorfs in NYC at the Guerlain counter. She may have some. Or another SA can help. I saw it there and at Saks on display April 11
Have been reaching for Divine’s L’Infante quite a bit of late…so so so pretty. I love the house, and wish it got more love!
Divine seems to get lost in the shuffle these days, I think just because they are so slow to release new fragrances. I wish it got more love too…