Summer comes like a breath of fresh air, and there is a feeling of possibility and adventure imbued within the longer days and warmer nights. And with the season of brightness and energy comes the want to express how we feel in what we wear. The right scent can really set the tone for your Summer, whether you are heading off on exotic holidays, enjoying the company of friends and family at garden parties or simply embracing the sunshine with a picnic in the park, finding the perfect fragrance for summer can enhance your mood and keep the summer vibes going.
We have put together this guide to help you make the most of Summer fragrances, exploring what makes a great fragrance for the warmer months, why it matters and some of our personal top recommended perfumes for Summer.
Why fragrance is important in Summer
Okay, so we know why wearing a scent on hotter days is important, we have all got public transport when there is someone who doesn’t understand why it is! But here we are talking about not why ANY fragrance is important, but why what kind of fragrance you wear in Summer is important.
Fragrance, of any kind, interacts with your body temperature. As things begin to heat up, all scents become more pronounced. This means that your beloved heavy scent that you wear in Autumn, winter and spring for a warming, intense enveloping fog can quickly become overwhelming and cloying in the warmer weather. On the other side of things, getting the right fragrances for summer can create an airy, uplifting effect, keeping you feeling refreshed and confident, even on the clammiest of days. Plus, scent is intrinsically linked with memories, and carefully choosing your own scent for summer means that you can effectively bottle up all of your favourite moments to cherish whenever you wear the perfume in the future. Summer in a bottle anyone?
Considerations for choosing your fragrance for summer
So you know that you need a different fragrance for summer to your winter/autumn scent, but what is best? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
Choose light & breezy
Aquatic notes that mimic the ocean or fresh rainfall are what you want here. There’s nothing more refreshing than water on a hot day. But that doesn’t necessarily mean plain! Sea salt, fresh air are all incredibly clean and crisp tones, and can work well when carried along with your other signature notes…
Invigorating scents are great for summer days
Whereas in winter, we want scents that are cosy and make us want to curl up somewhere warm and rich, in the summer, the sunshine makes us feel alive and you want a scent that makes you feel the same. Citrus notes like bergamot, lemon, mandarin and grapefruit are perfect for this.
Equally, green bases can invoke similar vibes. Think freshly cut grass, green tea, cucumber, or leafy notes. These are both natural and invigorating without being overpowering.
Florals are your friend
Nothing says Summer quite like verdant blooms, and floral based scents mean that you can effectively carry the smell of summer with you wherever you go. Perfumes that contain jasmine, neroli and even the intoxicating tiare flower are super wearable, especially when paired with green or fruit layers. Coconut is a popular combination, with its association with tropical beaches (or suncream, depending on your childhood memories).
Try to avoid overly rich, sweet or heavy scent
You may think that with the extra sweat and movement of summer, that a strong perfume will be best to mask any unwanted odours, but the opposite can be true. Sweet, syrupy scents are just too heavy for warm weather. You can still wear darker, richer scents, if that is your style, but there is a nuance to it that requires a bit of consideration (see woody fragrance section below).
Lighter and often is best
As for the actual perfume you buy, go for something wispy rather than gloopy. Opting for eau de toilette or eau de cologne can be a smart move for 2 reasons. Firstly they are more refreshing, and second, they tend to be cheaper, so you won’t feel so nervous about carrying it in your bag when you need to top up the scent during the day with a quick spritz.Trust us, that extra hit midday is a godsend in the peak of Summer.
Always dress for your mood, rather than trends.
If you enjoy the fun of a perfume wardrobe, then summer can be a great time to experiment. Set a mood and go with it. The scents you choose for a beach day, romantic evenings, brunches, or workdays can all be vastly different. For example, a laid-back beach day can be enhanced by a citrus-marine fragrance to really bring the mood of salt-kissed skin and sunshine.
Are woody fragrances for summer?
When we say don’t wear heavy scents in summer, we don’t technically mean every rich fragrance. We’ve seen more people becoming absolutely obsessed with a certain fragrance and wanting to wear it year round. And while that is perfectly fine - you do you- there are ways to create similar vibes without the sickly cloying scent that comes with wearing winter fragrances in hotter weather.
So, are wood fragrances for summer? Absolutely! If you choose the right ones.
It may come as a surprise, but some woody scents work beautifully in the heat. Specifically those that are expertly blended with fresh or citrus notes to elevate them.
Think of creamy sandalwood and coconut, or cedar with bergamot. Middle Eastern Fragrances are particularly good at this (which makes sense, considering the climate), they create compelling compositions such as soft oud paired with floral accords, striking a wonderful balance that offers depth without feeling too thick.
Middle Eastern perfumery may be well known for its rich use of oud, amber, and rose but it can also be worn as a wave of lighter, summer-ready interpretations, that balance freshness with exotic depth.
Our top masculine summer fragrances
With masculine summer fragrances, freshness and vibrancy are absolutely key. Notes of green apple, mint, or citrus over a subtle base of woods or amber are ideal, especially if you are moving about a lot. Marine-inspired fragrances are popular, as they evoke the feeling of a coastal breeze, while spices like cardamom or pink pepper can add a clean, energetic edge. For those drawn to Middle Eastern influences, a light oud fragrance with saffron or citrus can be both distinctive and seasonally appropriate.
- For something truly refreshing, Rasasi Hawas Ice is the absolute king. An instant mood setter, the frozen apple and lemon means that it remains light, airy and fresh for as long as you need it to.
- Afnan Supremacy Collector's Edition - a scent that everyone should try. Is there anything more summer than Pineapple? With outstanding longevity, it has a refreshing twist that is both alluring and completely wearable.
The best summer fragrances for women
If there is one thing that unites all summer fragrances for women, it is a sense of joy. Florals such as peony, orange blossom, jasmine and fressia are super popular, especially when combined with a playful fruity tone. For real beach vibes, opt for something with coconut, white musk or vanilla, as they scream sunkissed skin. For something more exotic, consider soft amber with jasmine or fig, a nod to rich Middle Eastern scent profiles, but wonderfully adapted for the lighter moods of summer.
- Lattafa Qaed Al Fursan - fresh and citrusy, complemented by sweet berries and apple that just oozes the feeling of summer.
- Mayar by Lattafa - A beautiful, multi faceted perfume that is inspired by Arabian summers. Lychee, oud and delicious white flowers.
Our recommendations for unisex summer fragrances
More and more, we are seeing people wearing scents that simply smell good to them, rather than going by what traditional gender labels are applied to scent. But this isn't a new concept. Many cultures have viewed scent as unisex, with variations being about personal preference or the situation that the scent is being used for, rather than the gender of the wearer.
- For a real headturner, we think Afnan Rare Reef is a showstopper. Citrus and spicy, this one is not messing around.
- We are pretty certain that Afnan Turathi Electric is going to become THE scent of summer for 2025. It is a bold fragrance that speaks of the electricity in its name. Juicy mandarin orange, pear and ginger work with georgywood to create a compelling contrast that will be impossible to ignore.
- Looking for something long lasting and compelling? Kaaf might be just what you need. Refreshing, sophisticated and vibrant. Perfect.
- We couldn’t go without including probably the most citrussy of all the perfumes, the stunning Armaf Odyssey Limoni. Clean and fresh with lemon, marine notes, and blue tea.
How to make your summer fragrances last longer
The longevity of perfume is always an issue, whatever the time of year. Unfortunately the heat and sun exposure both work hard at making your scent fade, and any sweat can all but wipe it away. To make your fragrance for summer last, apply it to well moisturised skin as this will give it something to hold on to (fragrance struggles to cling to dry skin). Apply at pulse point for more interaction with your own natural scent, but do not rub together as this will break down the scent molecules quicker.
You could also consider developing a layering regime to create a scent that is uniquely you and long lasting, or simply wearing a matching scented lotion under your fragrance to give it extra staying power. And, as said above, opt for a lighter version such as EDT that can be reapplied during the day without becoming too overpowering for you and those around you.
While technically any fragrance can be worn during the summer, here at the Fragrance Hub we are all about supporting people expressing themselves through their fragrance choices. However, there is a certain satisfaction that comes from matching your scent choices to the season. Summer is such a mood, and choosing the right fragrance for it is as much about expressing that. Capturing the vitality, the sense of ease and adventure that comes with sunnier days and spontaneous plans.
Whether you are drawn to masculine summer fragrances full of woody heady scents, or versatile unisex options, the perfect fragrances for summer are out there waiting for you.