It’s warming up, so you might already be thinking about how to get a summer-ready body—but there’s a lot more to the season than that. Scents, for one, carry us through so many memories—you could catch a whiff of an old perfume or body mist and suddenly be transported to a bygone era. Some of us might prefer to smell like a coconutty confection, while others might want to smell like they’ve spent the whole day soaking in seawater; some of us might want to stick to our usual formulas, while others might want to venture into new terrain.
And then, there’s the matter of what your plans are: are you counting down to tropical vacations, or plotting to seek shade and carry on as per usual? Either way, picking the right fragrance—or at least, curating a wardrobe of scents—is akin to deciding your persona, and crucial to ensuring a memorable summer. No matter how you foresee the season going, peruse Vogue Singapore’s selection of summer fragrances to find the bottle for you.
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Sweet treat in the tropics
Picture this: you’ve just touched down in Bangkok, left your bags in the hotel, and now you’re craving something saccharine—like a bowl of mango pomelo sago, perhaps. Distill that into a bottle, and you get the Miu Miu Fleur de Lait. Fresh mango and osmanthus petals soak in a decadent coconut milk base, creating a gourmand that will instantly transport you to the tropics, no matter where you are.
Miu Miu Fleur de Lait Eau de Parfum, $190 for 50ml, available at Miu Miu
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Mediterranean evening
The blueprint for beachy vacations just got a sensuous update. Just like the OG, Sicilian lemon sparkles on the surface of the new Eau de Parfum, before being enveloped by zesty Calabrian bergamot and spicy pink pepper. As it warms up on the skin, the musk of ambery woods and balsamic benzoin intensifies its creamy frangipani heart—making it the perfect post-swim spritz for languorous dinners by the coast.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Parfum, $225 for 100ml, available at Sephora
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Light afternoon tea
Bvlgari knows there’s nothing quite like a good brew—especially a cup of rich, Sri Lanka black tea. Courtesy of its cutting-edge extraction technique, the aroma of black tea is preserved in perfume form with Thé Impérial. Infusions of lemon and mandarin brighten the composition, with bergamot rounding out the fruity-floral blend. Elegant with a refreshing twist, the daytime scent diffuses softly across the skin and lingers long after.
Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Impérial Eau de Toilette, $243 for 75ml, available at Bvlgari
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Hilltop dinner
This isn’t just any regular orange scent—it will paint you views of the Ionian Sea from a cliffside perch. Citrus and lime intertwine to give Taormina Orange its sun-drenched character, warmed with a dusting of cardamom. Bursting forth is lush orange flower absolute, grounded in the earthiness of oakmoss and patchouli. The result? A sophisticated interpretation of the classic summer fruit.
Tom Ford Taormina Orange, $405 for 50ml, available at iShopChangi
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Hiking in Rio
Verdant, leafy canopies, foliage dripping with dew—the newest perfume mist from Sol de Janeiro evokes a shower in the rainforest. Crisp rainforest orchid features alongside lime and salty sea breeze, creating an airy, aquatic spray that perks the spirits right up.
Sol de Janeiro Refresco Paraíso Perfume Mist, $43 for 90ml, available at Sephora
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At the florist's
If you wanted to escape from the heat for a second, you might find respite in a flower shop. Echoing the cool interiors is Shady Garden from Swedish label Björk and Berries, where a medley of peony and arctic bramble sets the scene for violet, raspberry and frankincense. Dewy and smokey with the depth of patchouli, it’s the scent of wild flowers growing quietly in the shade.
Björk and Berries Shady Garden Eau de Parfum, $236 for 50ml, available at Escentials
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Farmer's market outing
To match the fresh produce at a Sunday market stand, a Kayali gourmand like the Eden Sweet Peach | 35 is only fitting. In the spirit of a ripened peach, it opens with juicy red apple, bergamot and peach, before blooming into freesia, jasmine and frangipani. As the confection melts into the skin, it leaves behind an addictive trail of sweet vanilla musk.
Kayali Eden Sweet Peach | 35 Eau de Parfum, $172 for 50ml, available at Sephora
