Switching up your style for autumn doesn’t have to mean a total wardrobe overhaul – investing in a new fragrance can be all you need to see in the new season afresh. Plus, few things are more mood-boosting than shopping for scent (trust us, we’ve done the research). But there’s no need to trek far and wide to obscure perfume boutiques. Department stores like John Lewis & Partners are full of hidden gems, from new twists on fashion house favourites to niche classics that have 'signature scent' written all over them.
When it comes to picking the right perfume, a good tip from John Lewis & Partners' fragrance expert, Madeleine Harries, is not to buy on impulse. "Lots of fragrances tone down and change throughout the day," she explains, "so it's worth leaving it on for a few hours to see if you really like it. It's also important to try the perfumes you like on your skin and not just a paper blotter."
With that in mind, here are eight scents worth sniffing out…
"Citrus fragrances are ideal for those who don’t like anything too heavy or too cloying," Madeleine explains. This cheery clementine-infused concoction is the perfect antidote to grey, dreary days (we like to spritz it on around 4pm when we’re feeling tired and uninspired). Its bright top notes are underscored with Haitian vetiver, basil and juniper to give it extra oomph and staying power. If you’re craving some autumn sunshine and can’t jet off to the West Coast in the foreseeable, this is probably the next best thing.
Atelier Cologne Clémentine California Cologne Absolue, $90, available at John Lewis & Partners
Diptyque, the cult French fragrance house, created this scent to capture the ambient fragrance in its flagship store (the name is taken from the store’s posh Parisian address). The result is a warm, woody concoction of amber and patchouli, echoing the store’s furnishings, combined with distinct 'perfume-y' notes of blackcurrant and soft cinnamon. Perfect for adding a hefty dose of Parisian glamour, douse your favourite scarf in it before you head out the door.
Diptyque Diptyque 34 Bld St Germain, Eau de Parfum, $135, available at John Lewis & Partners
Considered a modern classic, Le Labo Santal 33 is the perfect perfume to put a spring in your step and add some smoky allure when needed. Its rich cardamom and violet heart notes are instantly recognisable, while enveloping notes of iris, leather and papyrus deliver a subtle sex appeal, drying down to a dreamy haze of cedar and sandalwood. "Some customers even like to layer it with Le Labo’s Vetiver 46 for an even more intense concoction," Madeleine notes. Ideal if you’re not a fan of 'girly' scents, its tomboyish charm is on par with a crisp white shirt or a perfectly fitted pair of jeans.
Le Labo Santal 33, Eau de Parfum, $125, available at John Lewis & Partners
Originally launched in 1980, the revamped version of Eau de Givenchy has all the trappings of any good cologne, with orange blossom and petitgrain providing a bright, zesty kick to rival a Moulin Rouge chorus line. As it warms up on the skin, green notes of hedione, vetiver and white musk come to the fore, bringing all the cut grass and freshly laundered bedlinen feels with them. Exclusive to John Lewis & Partners, keep it by your desk to be momentarily transported across the Channel.
Givenchy Eau de Givenchy, Eau de Toilette, $60, available at John Lewis
"Tuberose is a great note for autumn, as it works so well with the more earthy accords that characterise the season," says Madeleine. One spritz of this latest scent from Gucci is enough to deliver a satisfying hit of the voluptuous white flower, with jasmine and honeysuckle packing an extra floral punch. Created as a darker, more seductive take on the original, Gucci Bloom's notes of osmanthus, ginger and patchouli give it extra warmth and depth – making it ideal for the colder months.
Gucci Gucci Bloom Nettare di Fiori, Eau de Parfum, $81, available at John Lewis & Partners
"A future classic" according to Madeleine, the designer’s signature 'Narciso' scent gets an ultra glamorous revamp, with a scarlet bottle and enveloping Bulgarian rose transforming the bouquet like a slick of bold red lipstick. Diehard Narciso devotees will be pleased to hear that it has that same soft, musky heart accord which made so many of us fall in love with the original. As it dries down, the base notes of vetiver and black cedar gently turn up the heat so it lingers on the skin.
Narciso Rodriguez Narciso Rouge, Eau de Parfum , $61.5, available at John Lewis & Partners
Flying the flag for female perfumers, Hermès appointed renowned nose Christine Nagel back in 2016, and she has since brought out a number of show-stopping scents for the fashion house. She recently worked her magic on the classic Terre d’Hermès, bringing the original vetiver notes front and centre for a fresh, green update. "We’ve been seeing a lot of vetiver fragrances coming through for autumn," Madeleine points out. And here, this rich, earthy ingredient is combined with bright, crisp notes of grapefruit with a sharp bite of pepper. Although one might consider this to be a men’s fragrance, it makes for a very sophisticated scent for women too – think Katharine Hepburn rather than Jayne Mansfield.
Hermès Terre d'Hermès Eau Intense Vetiver, Eau de Parfum, $65, available at John Lewis & Partners
Oriental scents are famously seductive and voluptuous, with rich base notes that last on the skin – and this flirtatious number is no different. It’s the original Infusion d'Iris with added prima donna swag, wasting no time in announcing itself with bright Tunisian neroli and orange blossom, accompanied by a rich heart of Italian iris, vanilla and musk. Powdery and unabashedly feminine, spritzing it on is like being dabbed with a giant powder puff.
Prada Prada, Les Infusions de Prada Iris Cèdre, Eau de Parfum, $102, available at John Lewis
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