The best summer fragrances keep us smelling fresh all day—even in extreme heat. Heavy scents won’t work well with sweat and humidity, so building a fresh and cool summer scent wardrobe is key this season. As someone going through a heatwave in NYC, leaning into fruity, citrusy, clean, tropical, florals, and even vanilla notes (if you know how to do it right) keep me feeling like I just stepped out of the shower. Though if you’re still into rich salty scents, there are plenty of aquatic options that will transport you to a boat on the sea. Below, we’re sharing the very best summer fragrances—whether you’re looking for a breezy body mist or a date night perfume that will turn heads.
Our top summer fragrances
Best Overall: Vacation Grand Cuvée Eau de Toilette
Vacation Grand Cuvée Eau de Toilette
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Vacation Grand Cuvée Eau de Toilette
This champagne-inspired perfume is by far our favorite for summer because it’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty. It has notes of chardonnay, vanilla bean, and peach for a light, crisp finish, mixed with deeper, headier notes like amber and cedarwood to help ground the scent. It also has a touch of cognac and champagne cork, which transports you to a poolside bar and makes it versatile enough for day or night. It’s at the top of our list because it’s a genderless summer scent—neither too feminine nor too masculine—all for under $50.
