The best spicy, woody, sexy perfumes to get you in the mood for autumn

The name of this much-loved eau de toilette sums it up: you’ll find woody, smoky notes of chestnut, warmed up further with a touch of vanilla.

A splash of orange blossom and neroli essence lifts the scent so it doesn’t feel too snooze-inducing.

A forever favourite, you’ll find yourself bringing this one out the second September hits, year after year.

If you like floral scents but they don’t feel quite right for autumn, try this high street scent.

Black amber, patchouli, and vanilla base notes are given a twist with rose, jasmine, and pink freesia.

If you’re thinking of those sickly sweet vanilla body sprays you used to get as a teen, you’re way off.

This scent is vanilla, but not as you know it – instead it’s earthy, dark, smoky. A grownup take on vanilla that feels deliciously sexy, with additions of cashmere wood and musk.

FYI, this one is pricey, but potent. A tiny amount goes a long way.

With notes of rose, papyrus, and saffron, this is a definitive cool-girl scent – spicy, woody, and complex.

Is any list of fragrance recommendations complete without a Boy Smells reference? Surely not.

Think of Suede Pony as chucking on your favourite leather jacket. It’s got a little edge, but remains timeless.

Also, there’s a scent of leather. That analogy worked out well, right?

Other notes are violet, hazelnut, coconut, suede, patchouli, labdanum, blonde woods, plum, saffron, pineapple, and cardamom.

The most bargainous spritz on the list, we recommend keeping this in your bag for top-ups throughout the day.

It’s an unusual balance of freshness and warmth, with notes of – as the name gives away – orange blossom and amber. Mimosa and peach add some sweetness.

We’ll say it straight up: this is sex appeal in a bottle.

The eau de parfum is made up of oud wood, rose wood, and cardamom, along with sandalwood and vetiver for extra depth and tonka bean and amber for warmth.

Orpheon is named after a sixties bar on Boulevard Saint Germain, and that’s very much the vibe of the scent.

Expect tonka bean and deep cedar wood, given a twist with spicy juniper berries and jasmine flower.

tonka bean, deep cedar wood, rich jasmine flower and spicy juniper berries, making it the perfect autumn evening scent.

Wood, spice, amber – all you need for a cracking autumnal perfume.

Black pepper, frankincense, and sandalwood add to the ‘curled up under a blanket’ feel.

Be warned: wear this and you’ll get people stopping you in the street to tell you how great you smell.