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Floral perfumes have long been synonymous with summertime. Pretty, romantic and brimming with optimism, the scent of freshly-cut stems is a perennial mood-booster.
While the likes of rose and jasmine have always been popular in the fragrance world, warmer weather calls for lighter compositions that wear as comfortably as a broderie angalaise dress. "I love to feel the delicate embrace of soft, velvety petals, just as much as I love smelling their fragrant notes out in the wilderness," says perfumer Caterina Catalani, who is currently at the helm of Floris London. She is a big fan of the brand's Lily (more on that later), and Goldfield and Banks' Southern Bloom, an "intriguing scent that takes me to an exotic holiday evening sipping on a cocktail near the beach".
These compositions often rely on clever use of leafy green notes and dazzling citruses to bring balance to the headiness of blossoming blooms. Some creations, such as Issey Miyake's Solar Violet and BDK Parfums 312 Saint-Honorè lean into the softness of irises and violets for an unexpected take on florals. Elsewhere, Dior's Dioriviera and Diptyque's Do Son capture summer's joie de vivre with sun-soaked petals. If you prefer a quieter take on the fragrance family, look to elegance of Chanel's Gardénia, a subtle interpretation of delicate white flowers.
There is a floral spritz for everybody, whether you are after something gentle and understated or uplifting and vibrant. Ahead, Bazaar's favourite floral fragrances for this summer and beyond.
We're always curious to know what perfume celebrities really wear, and we've recently discovered that Hailey Bieber has excellent taste in fragrance.
Speaking to Bazaar, the model revealed her signature scent to be Fleur Narcotique from niche Parisian brand Ex Nihilo. The indulgent aroma of orange blossom is lifted by juicy peach, making it an intoxicating option for any white-floral lover.
A beachy garland of creamy ylang-ylang, tuberose, and jasmines that begs to be worn with a crochet cover-up and salty hair. This decadent spritz will instantly transport you to the tropics, instantly.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you prefer a scent that whispers rather than shouts, try a spritz of Gardénia. It's an elegant white shift dress in bottle, with gardenia petals and a fresh, green opening. A pastel, watercolour painting of a perfume that lingers gently on skin.
Proving that floral perfumes can be equal parts high-spirited and sophisticated is Meliora, where the addition of tart berries and jasmine tea brings a sense of whimsy to the bouquet. There is a transparent quality to the rose note that makes it perfect for languid summer days.
If Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is unabashedly sweet and floral, consider Magnolia its more graceful older sister. It is still a joyful composition, but with a cleaner, more refined finish thanks to coconut milk and musk.
If it's simply a hint of floral you're after (rather than an oversized, multicoloured bouquet), try 312 Saint-Honorè. A gentle blend of airy musks and delicate orange blossom, this is a picture of understated sophistication.
Velvety violet petals suspended in a tall vase of crystalline water, Solar Violet is essentially a fresher, cooler version of a powdery 'lipstick' scent. An easy spritz for humid weather.
This orange blossom scent has a sunny quality that does not veer into suntan lotion territory, and lingers for hours due to its ambery base. A grown-up take on fresh white florals.
This reimagining of Ella is brighter and fruitier than the original: ripe pear and warm tuberose come to the fore, creating something juicy and uplifting, the kind of scent that will have people stopping you in the street. In a striking ombre bottle, it's ideal for gifting too.
If heavy rose fragrances feel a little stifling in hot weather, dialling down from an eau de parfum to a cologne is a great way to enjoy your favourite notes in the summer. This splashy rosewater scent is fresh, luminous, and as easy to wear as a linen dress.
If jasmines and white floral is your poison, it does not get any chicer than Fornasetti's Frutto Proibito. This perfectly balanced composition sees plush petals nestled in between succulent citruses to keep it from being cloyingly heavy. It's an investment, but one that is guaranteed to turn heads.
Floris London's perfumer, Caterina Catalani, is a big fan of the house's own Lily. "It is a perfect breezy summer day scent that captures green acquatic notes in the opening, leading to a floral bouquet in the heart with jasmine, rose and lily of the valley on a nice musky base, almost like a second skin!", she shares.
Neroli's clean, citrus-spiked vibrancy really sings in Matiere Premiere's divine fragrance. It's as bracing as a dive into crystalline waters, with just enough nose-twitching impact to reel in the compliments.
To call a perfume 'intoxicating' can feel trite, but really there's no more appropriate word for Kilian's Narcotics collection.
The star of the brand's floral line-up, Love, Don't Be Shy isn't solely famous for being Rihanna's signature scent: it also holds the crown for being the most seductive sweet perfume on the planet. Here, more really is more: expect rose and orange blossom surrounded by warm, smooth amber, and sweetened with a marshmallow accord.
Bold, assertive, sensual: Frédéric Malle’s Carnal Flower is a cult icon for good reason. It’s a deep and enticing tribute to tuberose, showcasing the flower’s seductive power alongside a supporting bouquet of ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange blossom absolute. If you appreciate creamy, sexy scents, but steer clear of vanilla, this could be your evening signature.
Nothing is predictable when it comes to Brooklyn-based perfumer duo D.S & Durga, and their take on jasmine is anything but typically feminine. Inspired by the muddy climes of the Yucatan Peninsula, this inspiring scent transports you to a humid rainforest, with indolent, tea-like jasmine lingering over a resinous base.
Tuberose is often combined with similarly heady notes to amplify its seductive nature, but in this lesser-known gem from Jo Malone London's Cologne Intense line, it's given subtler treatment. Green angelica and a restrained base of amber let the sublime white floral take centre stage, making an impact without veering into 'evening only' territory.
For a simple, light rose scent that leans fresh rather than powdery, Byredo's Young Rose can't be beaten. As the name suggests, it's a modern take on fragrance's favourite flower, with a hint of Turkish Delight sweetness and a spiky twist of Sichuan pepper. A perfect choice for every day.
The heady decadence of white florals is filtered through a modern lens at Perfumer H. In Lyn Harris' beloved floral scent, Indian tuberose is combined with honeyed Turkish rose, and laid over a bed of cashmere-soft musk.
Dior's solar scent is a love letter to the French Riviera, where Christian Dior himself used to escape to.
Dioriviera isn't an obvious floral scent at first spritz, but the lingering rose that supports the starring note of green fig ensures a sparkly, delicate trail. Extremely light and fresh but with impressive silliage, it's one to wear when you're dreaming of sunnier climes.
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