Perfume is powerful and, much like a seasonal wardrobe update,a new fragrance can set your tone for the months ahead. And luckily if you're looking to invest in a new scent, now's the time, as fashion brands release their blockbuster buys in time for the pre-Christmas rush. So what's in store? ‘This year, we have started to see more brands successfully combining warm, enveloping ingredients such as vanilla with spices like saffron, nutmeg and patchouli, creating wonderful scents that are truly unisex,’ says Federica Sinisi, Fragrance Buyer at Harrods. The scents of the season are vibrant show-stoppers that, in some cases, break with tradition. Almost half of the scents featured below are gender-neutral.
‘Personal taste and preference have now become the deciding factors for fragrance rather than following the once-strict traditional gender-specific scents,' continues Sinsis. 'Customers are becoming more fluid in their choices.’ So experiment to find what you love, and you're bound to discover your new signature scent.
Shop Autumn's New Fragrances Now...
1 of 12YSL Libre, £78 for 50ml
Much like YSL's reimagining of the tuxedo for women, this new blend from the fashion house is a gender-bending feminine take on masculine, lavender-fueled, fougère perfumes. Pretty orange blossom and sparkling neroli give it a lift, before subtle wafts of vanilla and amber add a sultry twist.
2 of 12Louis Vuitton Coeur Battant, £185 for 100ml
At first sniff, this new fragrance is bright and energetic mingling juicy pear with soft and musky ambrette seed. Rich, floral jasmine and green, animalic narcissus are further embellished by patchouli and moss that gives this sumptuous scent more than a hint of va va voom.
3 of 12Bvlgari Splendida Tubereuse Mystique Eau de Parfum, £104 for 100ml
A tuberose with a difference, this neck nuzzling number uses only the finest Indian tuberose flowers harvested during twilight hours. The result? A creamier concoction with a fruiter undertone, sitting alongside myrrh, cassis and vanilla (think leathery and boozy over anything sweet). Di-vine.
4 of 12Hermès Twilly d'Hermès Eau Poivrée, £108 for 85 ml
Spicy, vibrant and full of life, this new iteration of Twilly swirls pink peppercorn, rose and patchouli together for a fresh, fun and totally captivating perfume that will lift your spirit on gloomy winter days.
5 of 12Dior Joy Intense, £83 for 50ml
Exuberant and bursting with blooms, this floral fragrance mellows to reveal a glorious aroma of plump rose intertwined with fruity jasmine, bright neroli and bold patchouli. Vanilla adds a sense-tickling sweetness, while sandalwood and musk ground the scent on the skin.
6 of 12Gucci Mémoire d'une Odeur, £91 for 100ml
At once warm, sweet, airy and earthy, this unisex juice combines Indian coral jasmine, Roman chamomile, sandalwood and cedarwood with an unmistakable hint of vanilla. Completely addictive, we've never smelled anything quite like it before.
7 of 12Chanel Gabrielle Essence, £86 for 50ml
Just like the original, Gabrielle Essence focuses on four white flowers: tuberose, jasmine, ylang-ylang and orange blossom. But this is bigger, more voluptuous and opulent with tuberose being the star of the show. Citrus notes add a bright, fleeting fizz, while red fruits round it out for a subtle fleshy and plump sweetness.
8 of 12Estee Lauder Beautiful Belle, £72 for 50ml
If you prefer your fragrance more conventionally feminine, this is said to have been created for modern brides-to-be, marrying Turkish rose and vanilla with orange blossom and honey, while musk and sage anchor the scent on the skin.
9 of 12Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break, £96 for 100ml
Conjuring a snapshot of winter in Stockholm, night falling, cosy cafe, this unisex perfume evokes the comforting sip of hot coffee on a cold day. Rich and smooth the scent opens with coffee notes, like the uplifting effect of caffeine kicking in, before lavender, green mint and orange blossom swirl. Finally, creamy, warm notes of sandalwood and cedar linger.
10 of 12Nars Audacious, £125 for 50ml
This is the first foray into scent from make-up icon, Francois Nars. Audacious is a unisex aroma that is unapologetically captivating and perfect for after-dark. On paper, the notes are nothing new but blended together it's brilliantly unique. White frangipani is twisted with smoky incense, while ylang ylang, tiare flower, sandalwood and musk provide a sensual allure.
11 of 12Malin + Goetz Leather, £75 for 50ml
One spritz of this unisex scent and you're transported to a cosy cottage, open fire, red wine in hand. At the heart of this fragrance is sumptuous leather, cedar wood and sandalwood. Clove and pepper add further depth while unexpected florals—lotus flower, orchid and green violet—brighten the blend.
12 of 12Byredo Slow Dance, £165 for 100ml
Inspired by the exhilaration and awkwardness of a slow dance, this unisex perfume mixes feminine and masculine scents. Patchouli brings a richness and depth, while violet and vanilla give it a sweet, powdery background