The 17 Best Summer Perfumes for Women Are Like Vacation in a Bottle

Fresh and fruity scents coming right up.

best summer perfume for women on tropical island background
(Image credit: Future)

Some people subscribe to a signature scent. Others opt to have a seasonal switch out this time of year, putting the winter fragrances infused with warm gourmands and rich woody notes to the side, in favorite of the best summer perfumes for women. There’s no shortage of options, with the best citrus fragrances, the best light perfumes, and the best floral fragrances, offering refreshing blends that instantly perk up the senses.

The classics, like Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue or Gucci Flora, will always have a well-deserved place on our list. But, over the past few years, we’ve seen nuanced takes on the traditional fragrance families enter the fold. Notes like fig, matcha, coconut, and strawberry have effectively infiltrated the fragrance ether, with exciting launches coming from Phlur, Aerin, and Dior. “Fragrances with fruity and citrus notes are in high demand because they’re refreshing and not too overpowering, which is ideal for summer,” says Firmenich perfumer Alexandra Monet. “Green and mineral notes are trending too, as they bring a lively and vibrant character that evokes a sense of nature and the outdoors.”

While we’ll undoubtedly cue you into what’s trending in the fragrance world (more on that below), scents are extremely individual, so pick the perfume that calls to you. With that in mind, the Marie Claire team decided to write little love letters to the summer fragrances they can’t put down this season.

The Best Summer Perfumes for Women

Aerin's Amber Musk Santal on a bed of white flowers.

Aerin's Amber Musk Santal falls into the Woody fragrance family.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Wild Orange Eau De Parfum in front of an array of colorful flowers.

This citrus fragrance comes encased in a red velvet box.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Gucci Floral on a brown box, next to a smaller yellow box.

This just-launched version of Gucci Floral is more gourmand than the rest of the range.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Samantha holding a bottle of Dior Dioriviera Eau de Parfum

This fig-rose blend is Samantha's go-to for summer days.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

A hand holding Vilhelm Parfumerie Mango Skin Eau de Parfum in front of flowers

A fresh, fruity fragrance, you can buy this in travel-size for on-the-go application, too.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino in front of a diffuser sitting on top of a Channel book.

Tom Ford's latest fragrance launch, this new-to-shelves fragrance is a more mature scent.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Parfums de Marly Oriana Eau De Parfum over a brown background, next to a floral pattern

According to Vilensky, this fragrance will stay strong on your skin for roughly 12 hours.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Nette Thé Vanille Eau De Parfum on a wood background

This grounding fragrance will take you from the end of summer into early fall.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Sara Holzman spraying Byredo Sundazed Eau De Parfum

Just one spray of Sundazed will do the trick.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

diptyque ilio next to cat eye sunglasses and an orange

Ilio is limited-edition—so grab it while you can.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

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What Fragrance Is Trending for Summer?

With the humid heat of summer, fresh and airy scents typically dominate the trend cycle. Still, nothing is off-limits. You can layer lighter, fruitier profiles with grounding vanilla. Or mix an aquatic unisex fragrance with a traditionally feminine floral.

Citrus

Lemon and orange, while classic citrus notes, have been dominating the new launch category. “I’m seeing a lot of nostalgia around tropical drinks, like a pina colada,” explains fragrance developer Carlos Huber. You’ll find a take on a classic limoncello drink from Dyptique and a spin on tangerine from niche fragrance brand Fragrance Du Bois. You’ll even find pineapple and orange blossom in the sunscreen-inspired Vacation signature scent.

Floral

Musk can go either way, but as of late it’s been taking up an affinity for floral fragrances. Case in point: Aerin’s new Amber Musk Santal, which just so happens to be my personal favorite scent for summer. You’ll also find new spins on rose and peony.

Fruity

“Fruity notes, such as bergamot and grapefruit, are popular for their fresh, zesty sensation,” says Monet. You’ll notice a lot of fig on our list too, with top spots going to Dior Dioriviera and Batiste Figue Amour.

Green

Think green like the color and you might find yourself scooping up a matcha-scented fragrance. But contextualize green to the season, and Monet believes you’ll find notes like geranium and rosemary, which “add a fresh, natural aroma.” If earthy scents are more your vibe, look out for sandalwood and crystal moss. “Dry salty woods like driftwood, bamboo, and cedar can also be great notes to balance the fruity or citrusy notes,” adds Huber.

Aquatic

“Ozonic notes also play a crucial role, offering an airy freshness reminiscent of a cool breeze on a hot day,” explains Monet. These lighter and vibrant notes help create refreshing fragrances that can last through the heat of summer without becoming overwhelming. Huber adds that you should look for anything “that takes you outdoors—especially beachside or poolside—with marine, salty, and tropical notes.”

Samantha Holender
Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.