The warm scents and luxurious
fragrances to wear right now
This is the season for personal style. You've got fresh fall fits on deck, ready to be layered up and worn out on the town. And, at the same time, this is when new scents drop from fragrance brands. Traditionally, these autumnal colognes are richer and warmer, to match the cozy vibes of the season. They are intentionally heavier—in the colder months, you should be reaching for something that can stand up to all the layers we have to wear. A rich scent that sits on the skin and develops throughout the day while still making a statement to those in your wake. Spice things up—literally—with bottles that blend warm spices with a woody medley and a sweet kick of florals or citrus.
And, if you want our advice (and I sure hope that you do), now's the time to invest in a quality fragrance. When you want something a little heavier and long-lasting, going to want to shell out the dough for a bottle that's been formulated with a significant amount of perfume oil and botanical essences mixed in. The stronger the concentration, the longer the scent will linger on your body. What's clear is that leaning into a deeper, sultrier scent is exactly what the season calls for. Whatever your fragrance preferences are, there is a seasonal scent out there for you. These are our current favorites.
What They Say
It evokes the textured outer layer of a tree. A combination of intense black coffee absolute and essence of sandalwood, with tonka bean blended in.
What We Say
This smells not of brewed coffee, but of the nutty beans roasting, giving it a warm campfire vibe that's mellowed with a powdery creaminess as it dries down. There's a familiar sandalwood scent and it's great for anyone who doesn't want anything too spicy.
Bois Corsé eau de parfum, $330 by Diptyque
What They Say
Inspired by the architectural term for a traditional Korean house, it blends pine trees and smoky wood with the scent of traditional Korean paper and incense.
What We Say
Cedar is front and center of this woody scent. Smooth, smoky incense makes a slow entrance and balances things out with an understated sweetness. There's definitely a touch of florals and a shot of clean green notes to help brighten it up, but this is ultimately a warm, rich scent.
HANOK eau de parfum, $150 by Elorea
What They Say
This transports the wearer to the open terrain of the vast expanse—a place one can visit in their mind, where a new idea comes forth at any given moment just as the dawn.
What We Say
This is actually fresh and floral when first sprayed. There's rose and green cedar before it dries down into something deeper and woody, recalling the dry heat of the desert. There's the scent of dried herbs and vetiver grass and a layer of smoky musk. This smells both familiar yet unique. Like it will get a lot of people asking about it.
Desert Dawn, $225 by Byredo
Advertisement
What They Say
A foggy meditation on coastal California eucalyptus groves—balmy, green, woody, and deeply spicy.
What We Say
If you love the brand's “Big Sur After the Rain” candle, the perfumers took the dominant accord, and many of the same materials, to blend a similar fragrance, formulated to perform on the skin. It opens with wet woods and eucalyptus leaves, but works its way into spicy cardamom and rosemary before settling into a base of dry leaves.
Big Sur Eucalyptus, $210 by D.S. & Durga
What They Say
Exuding sophistication, this distinctive fragrance opens smoothly with a slightly roasted leather accord followed by patchouli essence and myrrh.
What We Say
If you want a warm, leathery scent, this is for you. There's a resinous vibe that pairs well with patchouli incense. Like the inside a gentleman's study, you can smell the boozy vanilla sweetness of bourbon and a touch of cigar smoke.
Bottled Absolu, $150 by Boss
What They Say
Hope flourishes in the opulence of a natural oud, unveiling an unparalleled elegance. Both ambery and woody, it exudes sophistication with sensual and pure oud essence.
What We Say
A definite oud fragrance. The dark, aromatic resin is produced under the bark of an Agar tree and is the star here. There's also dried vetiver mixed with the pop of pink pepper for a scent that's warm and a little smoky, but fresh and spicy. It's complex and yet it all seems to work together for a sophisticated scent.
Hope eau de parfum, $636 by Frederic Malle
The
“Dry
Down”
An industry term for the time it takes for a fragrance to react with your skin and for the heart of the scent to kick in. This is why a scent smells different on each person.
There’s a reason why your neck and wrists remain optimal spots for fragrance. Some claim the heat of the “pulse points” help distribute the scent, but they’re simply convenient areas where your skin is regularly exposed to the air. The back of your neck at the hairline is a great spot, too.
The Daily Valet. is your cheat sheet to what's happening, what's cool and what's making headlines. It's your secret to being the most interesting man in the room.
Advertisement
