Miller Harris
Lost in the City, £125
That this fragrance is named ‘Lost in the City’ may not immediately conjure to mind scent-spiration of an English country garden. And yet one sniff of the curranty, wild rhubarb, rose petal, geranium blend and, trust us, you will be suitably transported to a cottage garden. Not too sweet nor too blousy, there is a spritz of bergamot zest to pep it up and Earl Grey tea notes for a lingering fragrant whisper. Our favourite of the bunch. Shop it here.
Jo Malone
Elderflower Cordial, £55
Inspired by that most heavenly of things, an English country fair, the new collection of colognes from Jo Malone includes this Elderflower Cordial scent. Rest assured, there’s none of the syrupy fizz you may imagine, but a tart gooseberry top note, fragrant elderflower bloom heart and rich, and a lingering scent of dried fruits to sweeten the deal. Shop it here.
Malin + Goetz
Strawberry, £75
Billed as a ‘deconstructed and unexpected’ common garden strawberry, this smart, modern take on the berry fruit features a fresh blend of bergamot, pink pepper, warm musks, jasmine petals and orris root for a complex yet undeniably strawberry-ish vibe. Shop it here.
Loewe
Tomato Leaves, €85
Don’t be lulled into imagining this is anything about the red fruit in the title. It is all green warm, botanical lushness, straight from the veg patch. Part of a new series of singular perfumes inspired by Victorian apothecaries – other scents include beetroot, coriander, luscious pea and oregano – this is our favourite of the bunch. Available as fragrances, candles and diffusers too, it’s the perfect way to bring the garden into your home. Shop it here.
Chloe
Rose Tangerine, £45
It might sound like it shouldn’t work – soft, powdery rose with zesty citrus – but let us assure you that the combination is pure sunshine. The bright tangerine essence is balanced with cassis and a base of woody cedar and fresh rose absolute for a thoroughly modern, clean twist on a fruity scent. Shop it here.
Hugo Boss
Alive, £86
There is a comforting femininity to Hugo Boss’ new fragrance, Alive; it’s like a barefoot, stroll at dusk through an orchard in the last throws of summer. There’s a fresh juicy burst of apple, followed by sweet jasmine and ripe plum, mellowing to a cossetting vanilla sandalwood finish. Shop it here.
Byredo
Pulp, £122
Byredo’s fragrances are always unexpectedly and never subtle. This one is dubbed an ‘international fruit basket of a fragrance’ and it combines a sweet medley of crushed fruit with notes of blackcurrant, fig, red apple and peach flower balancing out the sweetness with bergamot, cardamom, cedarwood and praline. Zesty, refreshing and a touch tart, it’s fruity, but not like you know it. Shop it here.
By Lydia Mansi
May 2021
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