I’m a firm believer that you should treat your fragrances like you do your clothing choices.
You wouldn’t walk around in shorts and a T-shirt in winter, just as a citrussy fragrance doesn’t feel right when it’s cold out. Instead, when the temperature starts to free-fall, I’m sniffing out warmer scent profiles. Sandalwood. Leather. Oud. The kind of notes which would pair well with a cosy knit and coat, rather than something that you might pack for a sunny holiday.
Think about it: when you’re wandering around among the crisp, golden leaves with a faint smell of pumpkin-spiced lattes in the air (if you’re passing a Starbucks, at least), you certainly don’t want to smell like a man who’s spritzed himself ready for an alfresco dinner on the Amalfi coast.
It’s all about feeling the season, not trying to fight it. You want to smell like you’ve just been in a pub with a fire or helping your nan bake gingerbread. Okay, niche - but you get the picture I’m painting here.
The question is: why do the changing seasons dictate what notes feel right? Well, it’s all in the noggin. There’s a close link between scent and the part of the brain which forms emotions and memory, so certain notes are full of season-specific nostalgia. Where we’d associate a zingy lemon with summer (sorbet or fresh lemonade), a warm caramel vanilla reminds us of the transition into autumn, like sticky toffee pudding or crème brûlée. I have a sweet tooth - can you tell?
Besides the fact that it’s best to go for winter-adjacent notes so that your new fragrance buy will go the distance, heavier scent profiles are also scientifically better suited to cooler weather. In summer, the warmer air contains more energetic odour molecules that disperse easily. Aromas travel further, which is why many opt for a light spritz. Cold air, on the other hand, has the opposite effect, so it can quickly deaden whatever you’ve chosen to spray yourself with.
With that in mind, autumn is the time to shelve lighter fragrances and dive into something deeper.
The good news? There’s some really simple jargon which relates to a perfume’s strength – for something with a high percentage of perfume oil, you should go for an ‘eau de toilette’. The only difference between an eau de parfum, an eau de toilette and a cologne is the concentration – an EDP is the strongest, while an EDT is in the middle, and a cologne is the lightest of the three.
The expert’s choice: Why you can trust me
Even when you follow these simple steps, it can still be tricky knowing which brand to go for with the countless options out there – but that’s where I come in.
As a men’s grooming expert who has contributed to British Vogue, British GQ, Esquire, Mr Porter, WWD and, of course, The London Standard, I’m well-versed in men’s style, and by association, the wider fragrance sphere. If there’s anyone you can trust to point you in the right olfactory direction, it’s me.
Whether you’d rather have an iconic blend by a big brand, something off the beaten track or even a solid high street pick, I’ve got you covered with my list of the best below.
You, and your new scent, can thank me later.
Aesop Above Us, Steorra 50ml
Aesop is a great starting point to find autumnal fragrances. Whether you’d prefer a herbal mix of clove and cardamom (Marrakech) or a woody mix of cypress and frankincense (Hwyl), it’s the brand which will have you covered on all fronts.
My favourite, though, is the latest release: Above Us, Steorra. It balances the sweetness of vanilla bean with the spiciness of cinnamon for a scent that feels like eating an Ole & Steen Danish swirl when it’s raining outside – IYKYK.
Buy now £145.00, Aesop
Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 50ml
No men’s fragrance edit is complete without Le Labo. The NYC-based perfumer started as a niche cult label but has since become a staple for cool guys globally.
While Bergamote 22 is a great summery option, Thé Matcha takes the top spot when autumn hits. It’s packed with appropriate notes: think fig, cedar woods, bitter orange and soft vetiver. But when December’s on the way, you might want to switch it out for something even heavier – Tabac 28 or Poivre 23, for instance.
Buy now £138.00, Le Labo
Malin + Goetz Leather Eau De Parfum
Leather’s one of the most reassuring aromas out there – like a soft leather couch or that smell when you’re in a car with comfy seats. Though it’s autumn-coded on its own, Malin + Goetz has doubled down on the season with notes of pepper, clove, cedarwood and sandalwood. Consider all of the spicy, woody and warm boxes ticked.
Buy now £89.00, Malin + Goetz
Horace Oud Rose
Now, this one’s a little unexpected. Parisian men’s grooming brand Horace have taken rose, a traditionally feminine accord, and paired it with oud, which brings some masculine flavour. All wrapped in the comforting warmth of sandalwood. The end result? A sexy, musky blend that’s dying for a big night out come fall.
Buy now £62.00, Horace
Byredo Bal d'Afrique 50ml
Byredo’s founder Ben Gorham is all about translating memories through fragrance. Bal d’Afrique is one of his earliest blends which is inspired but his father’s diaries of travelling around the continent for 10-15 years. Though it has some floral elements, the base of cedarwood and vetiver comes through for a woody yet spicy finish.
Buy now £150.00, Byredo
Creed Original Santal 50ml
Creed may be best known for its best-selling scent, Aventus, but IMHO, Original Santal is even better. Where Aventus feels extremely masculine, almost to a fault, Original Santal offers a manly touch that’s toned down a little with lavender and geranium. But, like Aventus, it’s a scent that will leave a lasting impression for sure.
Buy now £195.00, Liberty
Pleasing Welcome Dreams
Is there anything Harry Styles can’t do? He can sing. He can act. And now he can add master perfumer to his CV, too. Well, along with his team Pleasing, that is.
One of the newer additions to the range is Welcome Dreams. On first spritz, you get the sweetness of caramel and vanilla but smoky tobacco and soft jasmine comes through on the dry down. A truly unisex scent for guys who want something unique – and the bottle will look great on your shelf, too.
Buy now £135.00, Space NK
Dior Homme Eau de Toilette
Imagine walking past a stereotypically good-looking guy in Mayfair.
Now, imagine the fragrance he’s wearing – chances are, you’re thinking of something that’s not dissimilar to Dior Homme. It’s sexy. It’s strong. It’s woody with a touch of spice.
Basically, it’s as if the noses at the Parisian maison have distilled masculinity in a bottle and refined it with their elevated taste. A real winner for the upcoming season.
Buy now £128.00, Harrods
Apothecary Warmth Eau de Parfum 50ml
I know what you’re thinking. Marks & Spencer? Hear me out: its current range of aftershaves have really impressed me. If you’re familiar with Le Labo’s Santal 33, Warmth has a similar vibe to it. According to M&S, it’s a blend of cardamom, cinnamon leaf, cedar wood and sandalwood – but it’s really the latter which shines through the most. For £12, it’s a no-brainer.
Buy now £12.00, Marks & Spencer
Tom Ford Bois Marocain
Anyone who’s been faced with the overwhelming amount of perfumes at any Tom Ford Beauty concession in Selfridges or John Lewis will be familiar with the vast range of bottles the luxury perfume house offers.
Having tried many over the years, Bois Marocain is one that stands out for me. Like the ready-to-wear, the spicy, woody, musky blend feels sensual and strong. Whenever you’re dressing up, it’s the perfect finishing touch.
Buy now £222.00, Selfridges
Gabar No.II Ground Eau de Parfum 50ml
The trio of scents on offer at Gabar take inspiration from the label’s Southeast Asian heritage and more specifically, its Myanmar home. For autumn/winter, the best is No.II Ground. A blend of wood bark, sandalwood, saffron and fig, it’s soft, warm and comforting - and, like the entire range, it’s totally unique.
Buy now £120.00, Liberty
