AS AUTUMN ARRIVES and jackets come back into fashion, your morning coffee suddenly tastes better and a chill is added to the air. It’s a time of change – a sentiment that should extend to your choice of fragrances. Now’s the time to shelve the zesty, beachy stuff that gave the impression you’d just returned from Mykonos and reach for something with a little more depth.
In case we haven’t made it clear, autumn is more significant than a new page on your calendar. It brings with it wholesale changes to our wardrobes, moods, schedules, daylight hours and the climate. The sun sets earlier, trees lose their leaves, and a general sense that it’s now socially acceptable to stay in on a Friday night is established. The right scent can tap into all of that and complement the season. We’re talking notes of amber, spice, leather, maybe even a whisper of campfire smoke if you’re feeling particularly rugged.
And let’s be honest, we all want to smell like the kind of man who trudges through fallen leaves and treks through the wilderness but returns home to a nice glass of whisky by a warm fireplace. The best autumn fragrances can help sell that fantasy. So, whether you’re after something that smells cosy, alluring or like the season of autumn itself, we’ve rounded up the best autumn fragrances for men, so you can start cultivating your new seasonal persona.
Can I wear the same fragrance all year round?
While you can wear one signature scent year-round, switching fragrances by season allows you to match your scent to the weather and your wardrobe. Autumn is ideal for heavier, more layered fragrances that might feel overpowering in summer.
What should I look for in an autumn fragrance?
Men’s autumn fragrances typically feature warm, earthy and spicy notes such as amber, cedar, tobacco, leather, cinnamon, vanilla and most prominent of all, sandalwood. These deeper scents reflect the richness and coziness of the season.
How should I apply autumn fragrances for best results?
Apply autumn fragrances to pulse points like the neck, wrists and chest after showering or moisturising. Cooler weather can cause a scent to fade faster, so a light reapplication later in the day isn’t a bad idea.
Are spicy or woody fragrances better for autumn?
Both spicy and woody fragrances are excellent for autumn. Spicy scents (with notes like cardamom or cinnamon) bring warmth and energy, while woody scents (like cedar or vetiver) offer depth and grounding. The best autumn fragrances often combine the two.
The best autumn fragrances for men in 2025
Maison Margiela By the Fireplace
If autumn could be bottled, it might smell something like this. By the fireplace is smoky, warm and carries just the right amount of sweetness. With notes of chestnut, vanilla and smoky wood, it feels like curling up under a wool blanket after a long walk in crisp air.
Tom Ford Oud Wood
Luxury in a bottle, Oud Wood is rich, smooth and slightly mysterious. The oud here isn’t barnyardy or overpowering, it’s silky, almost creamy, wrapped in sandalwood, amber and with just enough spice to make it suitable for autumn. It’s the kind of scent that turns heads.
Dior Homme Intense
Dior Homme Intense is a masterclass in elegance, with notes of powdery iris, amber and vetiver. It’s smooth and sensual but not overdone. Perfect for evenings out, date nights, or just feeling a little extra refined while running errands.
Le Labo Thé Noir 29
This one’s for the guys who don’t want to smell like everyone else. Thé Noir 29 is earthy, green and mysterious, blending black tea with fig, bay leaf and cedarwood. It has an autumnal edge without going full spice market. Quietly confident and beautifully complex.
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme
The name says it all. Spicebomb Extreme is bold, explosive and unapologetically spicy. Think cinnamon, tobacco, black pepper and vanilla. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you want your fragrance to match the boldness of your personality, this one delivers.
Chanel Égoïste
Égoïste opens sharp and spicy – with top notes of coriander, cinnamon and sandalwood – then mellows into a soft, woody drydown that’s rich and comforting. Ideal for men who appreciate timeless style and don’t mind standing out among a sea of blue scents.
Polo Red
A newcomer to the fragrance game, Polo Red is crafted with a mix of rich, natural woods. You’ll notice hints of ginger, lavender and aromatic sage, leaving a lasting sense of sophisticated warmth. Lando Norris serves as the face of the fragrance, and you can do a lot worse than smelling like an F1 driver.
Creed Delphinus
Delphinus is a woody amber perfume inspired by a constellation in the night’s sky, and bear with us, but it does indeed smell like its namesake. The first note to hit you is smoky swirls of resinous incense, followed by black and pink pepper, painting a picture of a dark sky. Almond, heliotrope and orchid are next, casting flecks of light into the dark. Orris, patchouli, honeyed tonka bean and leathery Bourbon vanilla finish it off, evoking the inviting warmth of a starlit night.
Hugo Boss Bottled Parfum
If you’re the kind of person who likes to attract attention and doesn’t mind being told that you smell amazing, Hugo Boss’ signature Eau de Parfum could be for you. The scent draws on a base of amber and wood, merging it with notes of orris concrete and fig tree root for a refined yet powerful fragrance.
