My favorites for summer 2010

I’ve often thought other bloggers were getting ahead of themselves when posting their “top favorites of the season” lists at the very start of said season. I made a conscious decision to hold off on mine until the end of the summer when I can actually tell you what I have worn and enjoyed the most. Now, this doesn’t make for increasing summer perfume sales anywhere, as most of us are now looking forward to Fall fragrances, but I guess depending on where you live you could easily have another month of summer weather ahead of you.

These are the fragrances that I wore the most this summer. These are not simply scents I think are perfect for summer, in theory, but rather the juice I sprayed on myself as I left the house for the day. Summers in Santa Fe aren’t like the East Coast where I’m originally from, there’s much less humidity, so I’m finding I don’t have to wear solely the lightest, sheerest, greenest colognes like I used to, but, being a creature of habit, I have been enjoying mostly the usual warm weather fare. And after I post this I need to check back to see what I was wearing last summer (surely there are a few of the same).

(alphabetical order)

Annick Goutal Le Chevrefeuille: My favorite honeysuckle iced tea fragrance. Pure perfection. I wear it every summer and always will as long as Annick Goutal promises to never reformulate or tamper with its deceptively simple beauty.

Atelier Trefle Pur: The Atelier line is quite nice. All are natural smelling and sheer, however, if you spray yourself wet most of their scents last much longer than you might guess. Trefle Pur is a beautifully airy green scent. It starts off like a gentle green clover filled meadow and dries down to a light woody green base. It’s different from other green scents in my arsenal because it isn’t bitterly green or stridently green as you might associate with the galbanum note; Trefle Pur is a gentle little green gem.


Diptyque L’eau de Tarrocco: at one time I suggested Chandler Burr was crazy for rating this fragrance highly. I hereby eat my words. While L’eau de Tarrocco is definitely reserved for only the hottest days, it is an absolute jewel amongst citrusy cologne type fragrances. It is so naturally refreshing and joyous. I learned that I need to spray myself wet in order for this scent to register for about 2.5 hours, and so this is what I do.


Frederic Malle Le Parfum de Therese: Therese is gorgeous, even with the melon note. I would slightly prefer wearing Diorama instead but I’m skittish about using my bottle of Diorama because it’s harder to get, only sold at the Dior boutique in Paris, while I can buy Therese easily in the US. I’m comparing these two because Roundnitska created both, with Diorama arriving on the scene wayyy before Therese and they are quite similar in structure. Therese is more natural smelling while Diorama has a more classic “perfumey” scent.

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Grosellina: Yep, even an Aqua Allegoria made it into my summer wardrobe. Grosellina is the tartest fruity scent ever! It smells of red currants that make my mouth pucker and water. It is a unique and unusual fruity scent and that is easily worn in hot weather and is the farthest thing from a derivative fruity floral scent.

Heeley Oranges and Lemons Say the Bells of St. Clements: This is a shockingly gorgeous citrus floral. It reminds me of Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier but the Heeley is a million times better. For anyone who loves citrus, neroli and orange blossom type scents this is a must try. The longevity is decent for a perfume of this type.

Il Profumo Blanche Jacinthe: Watery hyacinths. This little number has captured my heart and I’ve worn it a lot this summer.

Paco Rabanne Metal: One of the best green chypres on the planet. An especially great mood lifter at the start and it dries down to a gorgeous woody green chypre.


Parfums D’Orsay Tilleul: This is typical summer fare for me, the best linden fragrance I’ve found so far.


Parfums de Nicolaï Mimosaique: Again, this is typical summer fare, the best mimosa soliflore I’ve found yet.

Profumo del Forte Roma Imperiale: “bunny eared oriental” Roma Imperiale is the softest, gentlest, good night’s sleep, spring in my step, good hair day oriental I’ve found yet. One important note: I have found Ava Luxe Mousse de Chine to have a similar vibe. I wrote about Mousse de Chine awhile back and recently made the connection. So, if you happen to like Roma Imperiale but don’t want to spring for it due to the price you might try Mousse de Chine.

Santa Maria Novella Melograno: This is an aldehydic, slightly powdery, slighty musky scent that bears no resemblance to “melograno” which is pomegranate. Nevertheless, it’s along the same lines (loosely, I mean very loosely similar) as one of my favorites, Chanel No. 22. Melograno is much more casual than No. 22 and is easily worn as a summertime scent for me. It’s also much less fierce and attention seeking. It’s rather difficult to describe, there are some slight incensey qualities and even a touch of leather upon dry down. It’s not for everyone but for those that like this sort of thing Melograno is unique and memorable.

Strange Invisible Perfumes Fair Verona: One of the few jasmine predominant perfumes I love, but it’s equally strongly on orange blossom so that might be why I can love it, the orange blossom tempers any of the typically attention seeking indolic jasmine qualities. I also love SIPs Epic Gardenia and again, this is coming from a person who doesn’t like gardenia. SIP does some brilliant florals. Fair Verona might be the easiest to love, a “beginner” SIP if you will. It’s fresh yet floral and I love getting whiffs of this one from inside my shirt.

Honorable mentions (I had to cut the list at 12, otherwise it would have been unruly):
Emilio Pucci Vivara Variazioni Sole 149 (lovely citrusy chypre in similar fashion as Chanel Cristalle)
Bond No. 9 Eau de Noho (gorgeous green linden)
Hermes Pamplemousse Rose
Hermes Au The Rouge (roobios tea with fig)
Chanel No. 19 in the most exquisite vintage formulation that I bought from a POLer (the difference between this vintage and the current is vast)
Creed Aubepine Acacia (unique citrusy scent with a slight mimosa/hawthorn heart and a much less heavy yet traditionally Creed dry down)
and last but not least Hermes Eau d’Hermes (this I wear when I’m craving a little cumin skank. But Eau d’Hermes is a sheer, easy skank and perfect for any season).


So, what have you been wearing this summer? Mostly old standbys or have you found a few new perfumes that have entered the winner’s circle? Do tell...