These 5 Classic Fragrance Notes Scream Fall

There are exactly 12 days until the first day of fall. While we ring in the season, pulling out our sweaters and sipping on pumpkin spice espresso drinks, it’s a good time to start adjusting our fragrance wardrobe. Every season has its signature scents, but few are as defined as the aromas of fall—think amber, musk, oud and warm gourmands. Year after year, they bring the feeling of the season to life. These notes pull from the cozy nature of autumn and expertly capture the feeling of the season. In terms of your fall fragrances, these are likely the notes driving the overall scent. “In perfumery, an accord is like a narrative motif—a few notes fused into something new, generating a feeling you recognize instantly,” says Jeff Miller, the co-founder of Free Yourself. As the season approaches, fall’s quintessential aromas are heavy on our minds and shopping lists. To find out how to pair and wear them this year, we tapped two experts. Below, they share why these scents scream fall and the best fragrances to add to your collection this autumn.

Featured experts

• Jeff Miller is the co-founder of Free Yourself
• Autumne West is the national beauty director at Nordstrom

Amber

Amber is chock-full of complexities in the perfume world. Rather than a material, it’s a blend of multiple fragrance notes strung together. It’s the classic example of an accord, says Miller. The accord is synthetically made from a resin called labdanum, which comes from the rockrose plant. “Amber embodies the feeling of a golden warmth. It’s cozy and woodsy while also being gently sweet,” says Miller. The color alone screams fall, but as Nordstrom’s national beauty director Autumne West adds, it blends extremely well with other cozy scents. “Gourmands and baking aromas instantly feel fall-ready when combined with amber because of its warm aroma,” she says.

Two to try: Free Yourself Terre ($165), Dolce&Gabbana Velvet Amber Skin Eau de Parfum ($335)

Oud

“Oud is an earthy and smoky scent that has a thick and luxuriously rich smell,” says West. Unlike amber, it evokes a deep moodiness—think of the opulence that a glossy, almost black manicure exudes. “It’s profound with woody and leathery aromas thanks to the rich resin that forms inside agarwood trees,” adds Miller. Given its woodsy organic background, it’s easy to see why oud is preferred come fall, but there’s more to it than that. According to the pros, oud pairs well with several autumnal scents, including fragrant florals and deep spices like cinnamon, saffron and pepper. It also mixes well with lighter notes, like vanilla and “citrus, which energizes and lifts oud’s heavy scent,” says Miller.

Two to try: Tom Ford Oud Voyager ($195), Boy Smells Peachy Oud ($78)

Musk

Musk is another complex scent, since it can be deep or light and clean. “There are three different types of musk scents: natural, light and dark. Each type determines the depth of the musk scent,” says West. Heavier musks fall into the earthy category and can take on a woody scent, while lighter musks are more powdery and clean. This makes them versatile, especially for transitioning into fall, where they can be paired with magnolia, neroli and heady herbal scents. “Think of them as second-skin scents,” says Miller. Not only can they bring softness to a fragrance, but as he explains, musks help enhance the fragrance by creating a seamless blend and lasting aroma.

Two to try: Diptyque L’Eau Papier Eau de Toilette ($190), PHLUR Missing Person ($99)

Citrus

“Citrus notes like bergamot, grapefruit and lemon are often used as top notes in a fragrance to cut sweetness with woody or musky scents,” says Miller. They bring a zesty and sparkling note that feels appropriate for fall. However, their best quality is their ability to adapt. West mentions that citrus can be mixed with just about everything, forming endless, easy-to-wear combos throughout the season. She adds that splashes of citrus also make a great base scent for fragrance layering. For example, if you’re working with a spicy or earthy scent, you can add citrus to lighten it up. For longer wear, Miller recommends choosing a citrus perfume with woodsy notes and misting it lightly on a scarf before heading out the door.

Two to try: By Rosie Jane REMI ($80), Henry Rose Windows Down ($120)

Patchouli

Bet you didn’t know that patchouli is part of the mint family? Miller explains that the common note hails from a leafy flowering plant in the same family as the refreshing herb. Despite this, it has a strikingly different aroma. “Patchouli is earthy and woody with soft hints of dark cocoa,” he says. “It has a subtle sweetness and the aroma is sometimes compared to the smell of dark chocolate,” says West. Given that, the pros agree that it feels intrinsically autumnal. “Patchouli is like great boots and a coat. It has a backbone, adds depth and is long-wearing,” says Miller. While it can be mixed with several scents, it works best with warm and rich aromas—think amber, rose, sandalwood and black currant.

Two to try: Dries Van Noten Cannabis Patchouli ($340), Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Patchouli & Florals ($162)