Like sweet fragrances, fruity perfumes can sometimes have a bad rep. Fruit notes are commonly used in body mists and sprays, and so many of us have a pre-existing misconception that fruity perfumes will also lean sugary and candy-like. But while you might nostalgically associate fruity notes with the body sprays and perfumes you used to spritz as a teenager, rest assured that fruit has grown up. The proof? We’re finally seeing fruity notes being reinterpreted by leading perfumers and luxury fragrance houses such as Byredo, Penhaligon’s, and Jo Loves.
Proving that there really is more to fruity perfumes than you might think, many of these fragrances pair classic fruity notes like grapefruit and fig with spicy and floral notes in order to give the scent a more sophisticated edge. Others turn the spotlight on less-well-known fruity notes like pear and peach, or balance their sweet, fruity top notes out with earthy and aromatic base notes so that the scent can be interpreted as unisex.
We’re in the midst of summer, a prime time to switch up your scent for the season, and a time in which fruity perfumes really come into their element. After all, few notes can make you feel as energised, uplifted, and refreshed, as those of crisp pear, sweet berries, zesty lemon, and honeyed figs—just a few of our fruity favourites.
Below you’ll find my ultimate tried-and-tested round-up of grown-up, sophisticated fruity perfumes. And rest assured that all of the fragrances in this edit are a far cry from the sicky-scented mists of your youth.
Byredo fragrances are always totally unique—often pairing unexpected fragrance combinations that sound bizarre on paper but make total sense once you’ve smelled the perfume. Mixed Emotions is exactly that. Rich, boozy blackcurrant takes centre-stage, accompanied by a chorus of tea, violet leaf, birch, and papyrus. The result is a scent that is at first overwhelmingly fruity, but (as it settles onto your skin) increasingly powdery and papery. Sounds strange, right? Trust me, just smell it.
D.S. & Durga are also known for their less conventional fragrance offerings. Steamed Rainbow will be a favourite for those drawn to clean, fresh scents. It sees vibrant blood orange and mandarin balanced out by notes of grass, violet, cedar, and vetiver. It’s fruity sweet but bright, clean, and so addictive.
If conventional fruity notes of berries and citrus fruits are not really your thing, consider pear instead. Fresh and crisp but delicate and totally unlike anything I’ve ever smelled before, this subtle fruity scent is perfect for summer.
Those who are drawn to rich, deep, woody scents will love this fruity take on a classic oud perfume. Prepare to be surprised by how well the oud balances out with bright, fruity passionfruit.
The hero ingredient in this fruity blend is fig—a classic fragrance note often used in modern fruity perfumes because it’s not as sweet as other fruits. Instead, it’s creamy, ripe, green, and a little bitter.
The ideal balance of fruity and floral notes, this elegant scent sees pear and nectarine surrounded by a bouquet of jasmine, rose, magnolia, and freesia.
Although it’s described as an ‘amber floral’, this warm, sunny scent features top notes of lemon and blackcurrant which give it a zesty brightness. It mellows into a soft, creamy scent—ideal for those looking for a subtle take on fruity perfume.
Pomelos are a grapefruit-like citrus fruit which when used in fragrance, add vibrancy and sparkle to any perfume. This definitely sits on the citrusy side of the fruity perfume spectrum, and is one of the most energising and uplifting scents I’ve ever smelled.
Peach is known for being sickly sweet, but it’s totally reinvented in this fragrance blend, which sees it combined with jasmine and patchouli for an altogether grown-up take on fruity perfume.
With top notes of apricot and plum, this is a truly fresh and juicy fruity fragrance. Cardamom, tonka bean, and sandalwood ground it with a spicy, woody base.
Clementine and cherry are the hero notes in this & Other Stories bestseller. It’s sweet and luscious, but also warm and musky—and smells far more expensive than its price tag conveys.
Inspired by the final days of summer, this particular perfume is a veritable cocktail of fruity notes, with lemon, lime, grapefruit, mandarin, and bergamot. It’s fresh and uplifting, but also sweet and syrupy.
This is the kind of fragrance that transports you to sunnier climes in one sniff—fresh watermelon is paired with vetiver and a boozy amber base.
