While some people mourn the start of fall as the official end of summer, many of us see it as a time to start something new: start a new school year; buy some new fall clothes; try a new look; and, of course, update your scent with a new fall fragrance.

Unlike summer fragrances, which tend to be more floral and fruity, fall scents are deeper, with musky or spicy notes. Classic fall scents include hints of amber, sandalwood, musk, and jasmine. If lighter scents are more your thing, you can still go for something with a fruity top note with a richer base (think: warm apple cider on a crisp fall day). Here are some fragrances to try out depending on what scents you prefer…

Warm and Spicy
Diane by Diane von Furstenberg
Scents that are described as spicy tend to be rich, heavier blends balanced with a sweeter element like cinnamon, clove, sweet vanilla, or florals. Diane by Diane von Furstenberg mixes earthy patchouli and spicy myrrh with florals like frangipani and violet. Spicy scents like this one evoke a sense of power and femininity, so this would be perfect in a professional setting, for evening plans, or for more formal occasions.

Autumn Floral
Dolce & Gabbana Intense
Floral scents for the fall tend to have overtones like rose, jasmine, and lavender to give a richer blend without being overpowering. Think summer florals’ sensual and more mysterious sisters. Dolce & Gabbana Intense is a sexy Oriental floral blend that mixes neroli, orange blossom, and tuberose with sandalwood and jasmine. This is a great scent for romantic evenings or when you want to leave a lasting impression.

Walk In The Woods
Jasmin Noir L’Essence by Bvlgari
Woody scents are probably what people most associate with fall perfumes. Woody fragrances usually include scents like patchouli, sandalwood, and cedar. Perfumes described as woody are easy to wear and ultra versatile because of their earthy, natural scent. Try Jasmin Noir L’Essence by Bvlgari, with jasmine, almond, myrrh, pink peppercorn, and bergamot that combine to create a richly sensual and sophisticated woody scent.

Musky
Downtown by Calvin Klein
Musk is often used as the base note in many fragrances and runs the gamut between light, sweet scents and richer, spicy scents. The smell is often described as organic and raw and the scent that most closely resembles our skin’s natural odour. Musky scents go well with colder weather because they add a sense of warmth, comfort, and sensuality. Downtown by Calvin Klein combines base notes of velvety musk and cedarwood, balanced with top notes of green pear and plum. The combination gives you all the crispness and warmth of a fall scent while staying light and inviting.