Autumn Perfumes – Dupes for Cool Days and Long Evenings

Autumn perfumes are compositions with a warm, dense base of amber, vanilla, woods and spices that smell full even at 5–15°C. On Michael Edwards' fragrance wheel (“Fragrances of the World”), they correspond mainly to the amber (oriental) and woody families, and perfumers also call them enveloping scents or perfumes for autumn and winter. In this category you'll find over 70 eaux de parfum (EDP) inspired by famous scents: for women, men and unisex, in 50 and 100 ml bottles.

To start, choose one of five scents. The Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 dupe is the most popular autumn scent in the whole shop, with amber and saffron that trail behind you all day. The Kilian Angels' Share dupe works for a cool evening by the fireplace, because it smells of cognac and cinnamon. The Giorgio Armani My Way Intense dupe suits the office and daytime meetings. The Tom Ford Lost Cherry dupe is the choice for a date, and the Giorgio Armani Stronger With You dupe as a gift for a man.

Which perfumes to choose for autumn

For autumn, choose perfumes with a heavy base: amber, woody, vanilla or spicy, because in the cold light citrus scents disappear from the skin after 1–2 hours. Below we explain how the weather changes a scent, which families suit October and November, and how many sprays are enough.

Why perfume smells different in autumn

In autumn, perfume smells weaker and closer to the skin, because cold air slows the evaporation of fragrance molecules. The skin on your wrist is usually 32–34°C, but in the October wind it cools down, so the scent develops more slowly and has less projection. Heated interiors dry out the skin, and dry skin holds perfume for less time. Massage in an unscented lotion before applying, and the scent will stay with you 1–2 hours longer.

Which fragrance families suit autumn

Four fragrance families suit autumn: amber (oriental), woody, gourmand and spicy. Amber and vanilla bring the warmth of a cashmere shawl, sandalwood and cedar the calm of a walk through the park among fallen leaves, and cinnamon and cardamom the scent of baked apple. Looking for something heavier for December? Take a look at the Winter category; we've gathered sweeter compositions in the Vanilla category.

How many sprays in autumn

In autumn, 2–3 sprays of eau de parfum are enough: on the wrists, neck and the inside of the elbows. Also spray your scarf or coat collar, because wool holds amber and vanilla for several days.

FAQ: autumn perfumes – frequently asked questions

We've gathered answers to the questions our customers ask us most often in autumn.

What are the best autumn perfumes?

The best autumn perfumes are amber and woody scents with vanilla or spices, e.g. Baccarat Rouge 540, Angels' Share and Lost Cherry. Their base lasts 7–10 hours on the skin even in the cold, and you can smell them on a wool coat for several days. You'll find the full list in our ranking of autumn perfumes for women.

Are autumn and winter perfumes the same scents?

Autumn and winter perfumes are largely the same scents, but for winter you choose even denser and sweeter compositions. In autumn, woods, spices and fruit on an amber base work well, while in frost below 0°C vanilla, resins and tobacco smell better.

Which men's perfumes should you choose for autumn?

For autumn, choose woody or amber spicy men's perfumes, e.g. Stronger With You, Sauvage Elixir or Born in Roma Uomo. Cardamom, lavender and vanilla warm them up on cool days, and 2 sprays last 8 hours of work. There are more picks in our ranking of autumn perfumes for men.

Are light perfumes suitable for autumn?

Light perfumes are suitable for autumn only on warm September days above 18°C. At lower temperatures, citrus and aquatic compositions fade after 1–2 hours, so from October reach for a scent with amber, sandalwood or vanilla in the base.