You probably know by now that a fragrance can really set the scene or give off a certain vibe. That's especially true with perfumes. The fragrance you choose can dictate what kind of aura you want to put across. So do you want to feel carefree and flirty? Maybe you want to go for something that's fruity or citrusy. Want to give off a traditional floral vibe? Or maybe your goal is to feel incredibly sexy. Well, for that I'd recommend something spicy. It's all about matching the fragrance to your mood.
So in autumn and winter, I tend to gravitate toward fragrances that are cosy and warm. I want to feel like I'm wrapped up in a snug blanket. And it turns out I'm not alone—my Who What Wear colleagues are fans of the warm-perfume trend, too.
They shared with me their recs for the best cosy fragrances that are just so comforting yet still alluring, luxe, and a little mysterious. Take a look at their picks below.
1. Off-White Solution No.3
After speaking with a French perfumer, it really opened my eyes to how we choose our perfumes. I've always associated woody scents as being the cosiest of all the perfumes. However, after smelling the notes of this perfume, I was immediately drawn to its cosiness. Rose scents are usually so not my thing at all, but this one is tempered with skin-like musk, ambroxan and ambrette, which create a cloud of enveloping softness. It's alluring yet wearable for day-to-day. — Eleanor Vousden, Beauty Editor UK.
2. Byredo Mumbai Noise Eau de Parfum
"I actually just got Mumbai Noise from Byredo, and it honestly feels like the perfect cosy fragrance for winter. It's rich and warm and has notes of amber and coffee. It's definitely a unique scent and one I'll probably be wearing all season. You don't need a lot of this one, a tiny spritz works well for bundling up in a coat, as it can definitely be a bit overpowering if you overdo it. But with a small spritz, you're golden." — Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor
3. Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette Fragrance
"For most of the year, I wear Diptyque's Eau Rose Eau de Toilette because it smells great all day and also seems to mix well with my natural scent. That said, immediately upon the weather cooling down, I always get the urge to wear a muskier, more masculine scent. For that, I turn to Maison Margiela's Jazz Club, which is a men's cologne with neroli, lemon, vetiver, and tobacco leaf. It's really cosy, but with a sort of spicy twist." — Eliza Huber, Fashion Editor
4. Celuí Fragrance
"I'm not a huge floral-scent person, but here I am totally smitten with one. It has top notes of jasmine and gardenia but is layered with other notes of tobacco, cedarwood, and marigold. To me, it's the perfect soothing combination. I feel like I'm getting a warm cosy hug from a friend when I wear it." — Caitie Schlisserman, Beauty Director, Branded Content
5. Le Labo Thé Noir 29 Eau de Parfum
"I know winter isn't far off when the weather starts to cool down and I get the urge to bundle up in my chunkiest knits. It's usually this time of year that I crave a heavier and spicier fragrance than what I typically wear. Enter Le Labo's Thé Noir. It's got all the spiciness and warmth that I look for in a cosy scent, but it's a bit softer thanks to the top notes of tea leaves. Oh, and it really lingers. I recommend spraying it on your favorite sweaters so every time you break them out at the start of cooler weather, you'll be greeted with that cozy warmth. Just speaking from experience here!" — Anna LaPlaca, Editor
6. Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum
"It's my personal opinion that nothing is more satisfying than walking into a warm, candlelit bar on a frigid night in the winter. You might not be able to bottle that feeling, but Diptyque's Orphéon Eau de Parfum comes close. Modeled after a bar in Paris by the same name, Orphéon is the fragrance equivalent to a warm bar and a stiff drink. Tonka beans, cedar, and juniper berries meld together to create a scent that feels cosy and inviting." — Katie Berohn, Associate Beauty Editor
7. Byredo Mixed Emotions Eau de Parfum
"Byredo's Mixed Emotions is such a unique fragrance that I'm not going to be able to do it justice by describing it. It's kind of fruity at first spritz, and then it develops these subtle woodsy notes. If you aren't a fan of the typical vanilla and musk fragrances that are typical this time of year, I highly recommend this one." — Allyson Payer, Senior Editor
8. Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Parfum Spray
"I talk about it a lot, but Portrait of a Lady by Frédéric Malle is my favorite scent of all time—especially when I'm feeling cosy. It's luxe and complex and elegant and feels like an evening in a bottle." — Kristen Nichols, Senior Editor
9. Dedcool Fragrance 02 Eau de Parfum
"I definitely switch up my fragrance MO when the seasons change, and now that winter is just around the corner, I've been wearing Dedcool's Fragrance 02 almost every day. It's this intoxicating, woodsy mix of juniper, green floral, sheer woods, patchouli, and sandalwood, and it's my favorite way to channel cosy winter cabin vibes regardless of where I am or what I'm doing." — Erin Jahns, Beauty Director
10. Kilian Rolling in Love
"Due to my love for light, floral fragrances, it can be hard for me to find a perfume that is right for colder weather. Kilian Rolling In Love is floral-centric but with a hint of musk. It exudes both autumn and winter energy, making it a personal favorite for the cosy seasons. Somehow, among the intricate fragrant layers that it explores, a sweet note stands out to me. Perhaps that's a whiff of the orange blossoms? If you run into me any time within the next six months, I guarantee I'll be wearing this." — Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor
11. Ellis Brooklyn Super Amber Eau de Parfum
"This is a newer fragrance I've tried recently, and it's just super warm and comforting. I plan on wearing this one all winter long. It has woodsy notes like amber and cedarwood paired with a sweet scent of vanilla orchid. I also love that it goes on lightly, so it's more of a subtle scent." — Sarah Yang, Managing Editor, THE/THIRTY
12. Tory Burch Cosmic Wood
"I always gravitate towards softer, woodier scents during the colder months. This winter, my fragrance obsession has been Tory Burch's Cosmic Wood, which combines some of my favourite fragrance notes—ambrette, cardamom, jasmine, sage, and vetiver. It's simultaneously clean and cosy, like laundry fresh out of the tumble dryer." — Grace Day, Freelance Beauty Editor
13. Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace
While you might not be able to lounge by a roaring fire every day during the winter season, you can capture those vibes with this fragrance. It's designed to re-create the experience, with key notes of clove oil, chestnut accord, and vanilla accord.
14. Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum
Get that tobacco aroma without the harmful effects of smoking here. This warm and spicy perfume combines creamy Tonka bean, vanilla, cocoa, dry fruit accords, and sweet wood sap for something that's super inviting.
15. Prada Amber
Uniquely, this Prada perfume is made from pure essential oils, which also means it lasts a lot longer than other fragrances. It has rich notes of bergamot, mandarin, patchouli, warm sandalwood, and vanilla.
16. Aerin Cedar Violet Eau de Parfum
The description of this fragrance says it's like taking a "walk through a golden-hued forest on a crisp autumn day," so it's got me sold. It's warm, refreshing, and rejuvenating—much like how an adventure in the wilderness would feel. The perfume contains notes of violet leaf, muguet, Virginian cedarwood, golden gardenia, amber, and Australian sandalwood.
17. Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil
This scent is earthy, woody, and a little spicy all at once. Because it's so grounding and soothing, it just might become your new everyday fragrance. The perfume has notes of sandalwood, vetiver, cedarwood, amber wood, and a spicy cinnamon nutmeg complex.
This story was previously published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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