Sun-Drenched Fragrances Are This Fall’s Most Unexpected Perfume Trend

We all know the usual drill when it comes to switching into our fall fragrance wardrobes. Rich gourmands, spicy musks, and dark berry notes rush to front and center. Solar scents, with their citrus and floral notes, have typically been reserved for summer.

But this autumn, marketers are deploying phrases like “the feeling of sun-drenched skin” and “inspired by the warmth of the Italian countryside” to describe the newest perfume drops. It seems the solar category is coming for the colder seasons too. Zerlina Dubois, a master perfumer, says I’m not imagining this shift to solar, and that it’s part of the larger, ongoing trend of people seeking out comforting scents in these otherwise unpredictable times.

Unlike “woody” or “floral,” which have pretty clear definitions based on the most common notes in those categories, solar is kinda just vibes. A solar fragrance can suggest a Mediterranean afternoon or the lingering warmth of someone’s shoulder.” In other words, anything that reminds you of somewhere sunny could technically be considered a solar scent. However, there are a few notes that these tend to have in common.

You know that feeling when you’re reading on the couch on an autumnal Saturday morning and then the sun comes through the window and offers an unseasonably warm blanket of light? That’s what wearing these fragrances are like. As surprised as I initially was to see so many solar launches for October and November, it ultimately makes sense: The more the trees outside drop their leaves, the more I crave warm sensations that remind me of summer.

Merit, the brand most known for its easy-to-use minimalist makeup products, launched this “modern solar fragrance” for fall. It‘s a bit more spicy than some of the others on this list, but has a brightness that reminds me of a chilly-but-cloud-free morning in early November. New Wave also brings some comforting nostalgia, since it shares a creamy ylang-ylang heart note with Chanel No. 5.

Continuing the trend of makeup brands doing perfume, Laura Geller launched its first-ever fragrance this year. Tuscan Sun is, as the name implies, inspired by “the warmth and effortless elegance of the Italian countryside.” To me, it has a slightly sweet, citrusy effervescence that smells like sipping a pre-brunch mimosa out on the patio. If the salty aspect of these fall solars was most intriguing to you, this one might be your best bet.