Summer in the UK is less predictable than in the Mediterranean, where warm weather and long, white sandy beaches are guaranteed. In the UK, experiencing the sunshine season as Mother Nature intended requires the fortunate alignment of countless tiny factors. From a perfectly positioned restaurant terrace that catches the best of the sun (even if it’s actually quite chilly) to a pair of stylish sunglasses with lenses so sepia they make grey skies look golden, summer becomes a construct of clever adaptations. Here, the UK's experts in creating summer vibes share the warm-weather fragrances that get them in the holiday mood.
When it comes to summer perfumes, nothing beats a timeless classic. While new fragrances are constantly hitting the market, some scents remain perennial favorites. I've curated three of my favorite perfumes for women and their matching counterparts for men, comparing them based on compatibility and longevity. Wearing matching scents with your partner can enhance each other’s presence, creating a harmonious and amplified fragrance experience.
A perfect summer is a tapestry of countless small moments: the green palm leaves leading you to the beach, the melon daiquiris you sip after a dip in the sparkling blue sea, and the warm sun on your skin as you stroll past flower stalls on a radiant Sunday. These little moments create a magical feeling, and that's precisely what this fragrance guide is all about: everything that smells like summer.
Although we’re still on the hunt for a slushie-inspired scent, we’ve gathered our favorites that perfectly capture the essence of summer. These fragrances are ideal companions for sunny days and warm summer nights.
Sunshine
Even though we’ve never set foot on the sun, we all know the feeling of its warm rays on our skin. These fragrances encapsulate the euphoria and joy that sunshine brings.
**Sol de Janeiro SOL Cheirosa ’62 Eau De Parfum**
Ever wanted to bathe in the scent of Brazilian Bum Bum body cream? Now you can. This fragrance, with notes of pistachio, vanilla, and salted caramel, perfectly captures the golden light of Rio de Janeiro.
**Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Shine Eau De Parfum**
Imagine tuberose wearing a tropical fruit hat, combined with a mix of citrus and the chicest sunscreen – that’s how this perfume smells. It's bright and sparkling, just as the name suggests.
**Clinique My Happy Lily Of The Beach Eau De Parfum Spray**
"Bottled sunshine" lives up to its name with notes of solar lily and frangipani, adding extra brightness. This scent effortlessly brings the warmth of the sun to your day.
**Floris Bergamotto di Positano Eau De Parfum**
This complex cologne mirrors the sun's journey with notes of sparkling citrus, ginger, and vanilla, evolving into a sensual combination of wood and amber as the sun sets.
Waves
The ocean’s duality of serenity and excitement is captured in these fragrances. Marine notes bring both refreshing energy and a sense of relaxation.
**Maison Margiela Sailing Day Eau De Toilette**
Imagine the scent of Bora Bora’s waters – that’s this perfume. With notes of red seaweed, salty ambergris, and deep ocean accords, it's a true aquatic experience.
**Giorgio Armani Ocean Di Gioia Eau De Parfum**
This perfume is an energetic wave of salt, sandalwood, pear, and musk. It delivers a cool sensation, like diving under the sea's surface on a hot summer day.
**Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau De Parfum**
Inspired by waves, this scent combines sandalwood, magnolia, and musk with coconut and Tahitian tiare flowers. The result is a crisp, salty fragrance that hits like a wave on the shore.
**Louis Vuitton Afternoon Swim Eau De Parfum**
This luxurious scent evokes docking your yacht in sunny St. Tropez and diving into cool waters. With a mix of saltwater and citrus, anchored by bergamot, it's summer in a bottle.
Florals
Enjoy the best floral scents that bloom in warmer weather, avoiding heavier, powdery notes. These fragrances bring the beauty of summer flowers to life.
**Coach Dreams Eau De Parfum**
This scent with gardenia, cactus flower, and ambroxan is a fluid, soft floral fragrance that is both fresh and sophisticated.
**Maison Francis Kurkdjian L’eau A La Rose Eau De Toilette**
A peony scent that does the flower justice. With layers of violet, peony, and pear, it’s light and magical.
**Prada Les Infusions Rose Eau De Parfum**
This fresh and modern rose scent captures the dewy freshness of an early morning rose garden. Perfect for those who fear heavy rose scents.
**Dior For Ever And Ever Eau De Parfum**
A versatile floral fragrance with notes of freesia, rose, jasmine, and orange blossom. It feels like a stroll through a blooming garden.
Green Notes
Celebrate the freshness of green grass and foliage. These scents are aromatic and energizing, perfect for summer’s simple pleasures.
**Creed Original Vetiver**
This earthy fragrance with vetiver leaves smells like a warm day on a field of uncut grass.
**Hermès Un Jardin Sur Le Toit Eau De Toilette**
With green grass as the central note, supported by red apple and rosemary, this scent is a luxurious, fresh experience.
**Comme des Garcons Green Play Eau De Toilette**
A green fragrance with mint, juniper, and lime, evolving into a full-bodied mix of basil and bergamot.
**Lancôme O De Lancôme Eau De Toilette**
An herbal scent with basil, coriander, and rosemary, balanced with moss and green citrus, bringing fresh summer vibes.
Fruity
These fruity fragrances are perfect for brightening up a hot summer day. From sweet to tangy, these fruits bring summer freshness to your pulse points.
**Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Daze Eau De Toilette**
A unique scent with longan berries (lychee’s cooler cousin), striking in both scent and taste.
**Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Passiflora Eau De Toilette**
This tropical fragrance with passionfruit, grapefruit, lemon, and bergamot is a true summer dream.
**Tom Ford Bitter Peach Eau De Parfum**
A sharp and elegant scent with notes of Sicilian blood orange, perfect for chic summer moments.
**Solinotes Grapefruit Eau De Toilette**
This fresh scent with grapefruit, melon, pomelo, and cedar is a refreshing burst in summer's heat.
Gucci Guilty
Breaks traditional fragrance rules for both men and women. The women’s version features geranium, pink pepper, lilac, peach, amber, and patchouli, while the men’s version includes lavender, lemon, orange blossom, cedar, and patchouli. Both are fruity and warmed by their musky, sweet patchouli bases. Gucci Guilty is perfect if you love leaving a beautiful scent trail without being overwhelming.
Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey
Issey Miyake uses unusual and rare materials to create scents that evoke timeless freedom and tranquility. **L'Eau d'Issey for men** is a woody aquatic fragrance with notes of yuzu, bergamot, lemon, tarragon, nutmeg, and lily, finishing with tobacco, sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, and musk. For women, **L'Eau d'Issey** is designed as a scent "as clear as spring water" with notes of lotus, freesia, cyclamen, melon, peony, lily, and carnation, finishing with cedar, sandalwood, musk, and amber. Both fragrances are long-lasting, with over 12 hours of wear, complementing each other beautifully.
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb and Spicebomb
If I had to choose my ultimate favorite duo, it would be **Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb and Spicebomb**. Flowerbomb, launched in 2005, and Spicebomb, launched in 2012, are designed as male and female counterparts. Flowerbomb features oriental notes of bergamot, green tea, sambac jasmine, centifolia rose, freesia, cattleya orchid, musk, and patchouli. Spicebomb is warm and spicy with notes of bergamot, grapefruit, elemi, pink pepper, leather, tobacco, and vetiver. Both fragrances are unique and memorable, making a strong visual statement with their grenade-inspired bottles. I love wearing Flowerbomb, and my partner always receives compliments when he wears Spicebomb.
Wearing matching scents can truly enhance each other’s presence, and these fragrance duos are perfect for summer. Whether you're looking for a fresh, woody scent or a warm, spicy one, these combinations won’t disappoint. Don’t miss the chance to try them and let summer’s scents embrace you.
Ready to embrace the spirit of summer? Explore our favorite makeup trends for the season and find the perfect complements to your new fragrances.