Many people like to change their perfume with the seasons. They adopt what we might call a “seasonal scent”, a way to take an olfactory pause and let their fragrance evolve over the year. Here are some tips to help you choose a perfume for winter.
Choosing a warm perfume for winter
People who match their fragrance to their clothing style often lean toward warm, comforting scents in winter — just like they would choose cozy clothing such as wool sweaters, coats, scarves, or cashmere accessories.
As temperatures drop and the weather becomes harsher, there is often a desire for warmer base notes — scents that act like a comforting olfactory cocoon against the cold.
In general, eau de parfum is preferred in winter, but long-lasting eau de toilette can also work.
Some of the most suitable winter fragrances include orientals, gourmand perfumes, and woody scents that are sensual or comforting.
These fragrance families are often rich in base notes — slow to evaporate — which help anchor the perfume on skin and fabric. This makes them ideal for coats or scarves worn near the face, diffusing the scent beautifully throughout the day.
Choosing a signature winter fragrance
Some people love to wear a fragrance that embodies winter — charismatic, mysterious, and full of character — all year round. In this case, their winter scent becomes their signature perfume, the one that defines their olfactory identity.
Portrait of the winter personality
The Winter Personality: a unique and magnetic soul.
- Personality: Moody, theatrical, extroverted, knows how to charm everyone, keeps a mysterious aura, and is often very tactile.
- Voice: Deep, husky, distinctive.
- Preferred scents: Gourmand, intense woody notes, orientals, or bold compositions. Tuberose and white flowers are favorites.
- Flavors: Sweets, pastries, chocolate.
- Drinks: Cappuccino, hot chocolate, trendy sweet cocktails, champagne.
- Colors: White, black, their contrast, bold red and deep blue.
- Fabrics: Taffeta, cashmere, silk, velvet, fur.
- Outdoors: Urban over rural. Loves museums, shopping, and trendy restaurants.
- Dream weekend: A shopping and museum getaway in any world capital.
- Preferred perfumes: Deep, sensual scents with strong sillage. May enjoy ouds and powerful white floral notes.
Oriental, woody, or gourmand fragrances
- L’Heure Bleue – Guerlain
- Jicky – Guerlain
- Allure – Chanel
- Angel – Mugler
- La Petite Robe Noire – Guerlain
- Fleur de Cassie – Frédéric Malle
- Black Orchid – Tom Ford
- Opium – Yves Saint Laurent
- Santal 33 – Le Labo
- Velvet Rose & Oud – Jo Malone
Making your winter fragrance last longer
Beyond choosing the right base notes, a few simple habits help a fragrance hold up in the cold. Skin is drier in winter and holds perfumed oils less well, so moisturise before you apply (the layering technique) and place the scent on your pulse points — wrists, neck, the crook of the elbow — where body heat diffuses the molecules.
Keep in mind, too, that cold slightly numbs the sense of smell and dampens the perception of fresh top notes. That is one more reason to favour higher concentrations (Eau de Parfum) and a generous sillage, so your perfume stays noticeable throughout the day.
Testing a perfume before you commit
A change of season is the perfect moment to explore. Venture toward niche, confidential houses and olfactory families you don’t know yet, and try a blind test to let yourself be surprised, without relying on the label. Above all, always try a fragrance on your skin and let it develop for a few hours: your own chemistry reveals its true longevity far better than a paper strip.
Delacourte Paris perfumes perfect for winter
- Osiris – Delicious orange blossom with warm notes of sesame and cedarwood.
- Florentina – A soft, comforting musky scent, like cashmere on skin.
Discover all Delacourte Paris perfumes and try them with our Discovery Set (5 Eau de Parfum x 2 ml).
