By now, you likely know how deeply I love perfume. Over time, I’ve made it a habit to change fragrances with the seasons, like an olfactory wardrobe that shifts with the light, the air, and the mood of the moment. In summer, when the days stretch out and the warmth lingers, I find myself turning away from rich, gourmand, or overly concentrated scents, those I naturally gravitate toward in autumn or winter. I also tend to set aside opulent floral bouquets, which I cherish in early spring as a soft escape from winter’s hold.
Instead, I reach for something gentler. Joyful eaux de toilette, revitalising colognes, and fresh, airy splashes (“eaux fraîches”) that feel like a whisper on the skin. Fragrances that don’t overwhelm, but rather awaken, a light veil that settles gracefully, evolves with the heat, and can be reapplied freely throughout the day. That, to me, is the essence of a summer scent: fleeting, luminous, and endlessly wearable.
In this article, I’ve gathered all the eaux de toilette, colognes, and refreshing fragrances (eaux fraîches) I love to wear when the sun is high and the days feel slower. I imagined this guide as a kind of summer perfume wardrobe, whether you’re seeking a scent for an evening alfresco, a breezy fragrance to pack for a holiday, or simply a light touch to lift your mood in the morning. I hope it inspires a few beautiful discoveries, and accompanies you throughout a delicately scented summer :).
Independent and unsponsored, this article is written with curiosity and discernment. Some links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase, always at no cost to you.
1. Les Eaux de Toilette
If you’re looking for a fresh summer fragrance that still offers a real presence, something with lasting power that stays with you throughout the day, I can wholeheartedly recommend these eaux de toilette. They’re the ones I’ve been reaching for lately, and I think you’ll love them too:
- Diptyque Ilio: A floral, fruity eau de toilette that instantly transports me to a summer holiday. I’m not quite sure why, but it always reminds me of my time in Greece. Notes of Barbary fig and bergamot blend with jasmine and iris. Absolutely divine.
- Goutal Le Temps des Rêves: A recent discovery I adore, centered around orange blossom, but surprisingly fresh, aromatic, and slightly herbal. A twist of bergamot and a touch of myrtle give it that airiness that wears beautifully in the heat.
- Hermès Un Jardin sur le Nil: One of my longtime favourites, I’ve worn it for over a decade! It’s a green, vegetal scent built around mango, lotus, and sycamore, but it also captures something watery and sun-warmed, like sand. A perfect summer companion.
- Guerlain Néroli Vetiver: A wonderfully refreshing scent that feels unexpected and a little different from the usual summer blends. Bright and cooling, with a beautiful balance between crisp neroli and soft vetiver.
- Hermès Le Jardin de Monsieur Li: If you love jasmine, this one’s for you. It smells like fresh jasmine kissed by water and citrus. Notes of kumquat, bergamot, and jasmine create something both delicate and uplifting.
- Guerlain Terracotta: The ultimate solar scent. It smells like sun-warmed skin and golden sand. With notes of bergamot, tiaré flower, ylang-ylang, and a touch of vanilla, it’s radiant and sensual.
- Guerlain Pamplelune: Lively, joyful, and unmistakably feminine. This is grapefruit at its most vibrant, paired with blackcurrant bud and anchored by a hint of patchouli for depth. Bursting with energy and charm.
- Hermès Un Jardin en Méditerranée: Another favourite from Hermès’s Jardin collection. It’s woody, floral, and fresh, and it always makes me feel like I’ve stepped into a lush Mediterranean garden. Notes include green mastic tree, fig tree, and oleander.
- Frédéric Malle Lys Méditerranée: A recent and truly beautiful discovery. It smells of the Mediterranean Sea, salty air, warm breezes, and blooming lilies. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
- L’Occitane Verveine: A zesty, invigorating blend of lemon and verbena, refreshing and bright, just what I want on the hottest days of summer. I adore this one.
2. Les Eaux Fraîches & Colognes
If you’re looking for a fragrance with a lighter trail, something to add a soft, scented touch during summer’s warmest days, without ever feeling overpowering, I’d recommend turning to eaux fraîches and colognes. These are light, refreshing compositions you can spray generously, then reapply as often as you like throughout the day.
- Caudalie Thé des Vignes: I’ve kept this one in my drawer for years, and I reach for it whenever the mood strikes. It’s fresh yet gentle, think white musk, neroli, ginger, orange blossom, jasmine… A delicate and beautifully crafted scent, composed by Jacques Cavallier.
- Roger & Gallet Fleur d’Osmanthus: I’ve always loved Roger & Gallet’s eaux fraîches, especially this one. Fruity and lightly woody, it’s effortlessly wearable in warm weather. With notes of mandarin, osmanthus, and benzoin, it feels joyful and bright without ever being too much.
- Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier: A juicy, sun-drenched fig, sparkling, fresh, and delicious. Composed by Francis Kurkdjian, it blends fig with grapefruit, green mandarin leaf, and soft musk. Uplifting, easygoing, and addictive.
- Eau de Guerlain: Created by Jean-Paul Guerlain in 1974, this eau de cologne is a luminous tribute to the aromatic herbs of Provence. Fresh, bright, and timeless, with notes of lemon, bergamot, and verbena. A crisp, sunny and sparkling Provence in a bottle.
- Roger & Gallet Feuille de Thé: Another fresh favorite of mine. Feuille de Thé is a smoky citrus infusion, airy and enveloping. Notes include black tea, citron, and sandalwood.
- Roger & Gallet Néroli: One of my go-to scents. Imagine a soft, slightly sweet orange blossom, fresh, dry, and luminous. The neroli here is wrapped in honeyed, milky notes of orange blossom and immortelle. Radiant, comforting, and divine.
