As I’ve mentioned in my previous article, perfume hacks for elegant women, fragrances have earned a special place in every elegant woman’s life. For that reason, I’ve chosen to dedicate this article to reviewing the best elegant perfumes for winter.
Typically, I am opposed to seasonal beauty-trends, and choose to wear various outfits regardless of the time of year – provided that the outfit suits the weather, of course. With that being said, I tend to make an exception with perfumes.
Perfumes are carefully formulated and quickly respond to temperature changes. While a lighter, fresher fragrance will work great during the summer, when the temperatures drops the scent might seem to fade, or even to become too “cool” and clean.
The best perfumes for winter are a bit heavier; they are as warm and comforting as a cup of hot tea in the snow; they are musky, woody, and maybe even spicy.
Below you will find my pick of the best elegant perfumes fo winter: they are the scents that will make you feel pulled together, powerful, fancy, or at ease. Some of those perfumes are conventionally classic, while others are more modern and edgy – there is something for everyone on the list.
Chanel Coco
Top notes: Bulgarian Rose, Mandarin, Coriander, Jasmine, Peach, and Orange.
Middle notes: Cloves, Orange Blossom, Rose, Mimosa, and Clover.
Base notes: Amber, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Opoponax, Civet, Vanilla, and Labdanum.
Coco Eau de parfum is an oriental-spicy fragrance that was created in 1984 by Jacques Polge. The fragrance was designed carefully with the intention of expressing the spirit and personality of Gabrielle Chanel herself and her love of the baroque style.
Despite the fact that it was released in an era of shoulder pads and big hair, Chanel Coco is a true masterpiece has managed to keep its wearability and a charming vintage quality to this day.
Nothing else compares to Coco on the market: it is rich and warm, yet floral, with a hint of spiciness; it is a well-blended, complex scent – the epitome of class and elegance.
Coco is a serious fragrance; it is suitable for a night at the opera, for which you’d wear a silk-wrapped dress and Italian leather pumps, but it is not too serious, and can equally fit a comforting evening by the fireplace, with a good book and your favorite cashmere sweater.
Because of its intense and warm scent, Coco is the perfect fragrance for fall and winter; use it sparingly – one or two sprays can last for hours.
Chanel Coco Noir
Top notes: Grapefruit, Bergamot, and Orange.
Middle notes: Rose, Geranium, Jasmine, Narcissus, and Peach.
Base notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Olibanum, Tonka beans, Vanilla, White musk, Cloves, and Benzoin.
Chanel Coco Noir Eau de parfum was created by Jacques Polge Christopher Sheldrake, and launched in 2012. To me, Coco Noir is the grown-up sister of the familiar Coco Mademoiselle; the former has more attitude, more strength, and more confidence.
The scent of Coco Noir forms in my head a picture of a very elegant French woman; she is dressed head to toe in black and displays a sleek hairdo with a timeless red lipstick; she is both classy and sexy, both confident and feminine – an out of reach, mesmerizing, and graceful woman.
The name ‘Noir’ is a bit misleading. Indeed, Coco Noir is somewhat dark, but it isn’t your typical night-time fragrance; it’s a versatile fragrance that can be worn day or night, in a professional setting, and especially in days when you want a bit of extra confidence.
Chanel Coco Noir is definitely one of my go-to elegant perfumes for winter.
Hermès L’Ambre des Merveilles
Top notes: Amber.
Middle notes: Vanilla.
Base notes: Patchouli, and Labdanum.
Hermès L’Ambre des Merveilles is an oriental vanilla fragrance that was launched in 2012. The ‘nose’ behind the fragrance is Jean-Claude Ellena.
The scent of L’Ambre des Merveilles is very warm and is therefore a perfect fit for a chilly weather. The amber is softened by the vanilla, while the patchouli and labdanum add an interesting spiciness. Overall, Hermès L’Ambre des Merveilles is a gloriously crafted fragrance from top to bottom.
In my opinion, this perfume is the perfect scent for women who want to appear natural, women that manage to be classy, sophisticated, sensual, and elegant effortlessly.
L’Ambre des Merveilles’ scent is quiet and subtle, yet warm and comforting; it is not a “statement” perfume, but rather an easy to wear one. The scent is soft and projects an almost skin-like feeling; it is like a light and soft cashmere scarf rather than a chunky and thick wool sweater.
If you are looking for a scent with an elegant character that can be worn day to night and that fits most occasions, L’Ambre des Merveilles might be the perfume for you.
Bottega Veneta by Bottega Veneta
Top notes: Pink Pepper, and Bergamot.
Middle notes: Jasmine.
Base notes: Patchouli, Leather, and Oak moss.
The fragrance Bottega Veneta Eau de parfum was launched in 2011 by the Italian luxury house Bottega Veneta. The ‘nose’ behind the Bottega Veneta fragrance is Michel Almairac.
This product marks the first perfume from the fashion house, and signifies the house’s renowned leather goods; it’s described as a “leathery, floral chypre”.
Bottega Veneta perfume has a sharp opening that blends into a soft and creamy suede background, with a touch of sweetness; it is a scent for a confident and strong woman that knows what she wants.
The scent of Bottega Veneta is both noticeable and demure, both sophisticated and gentle: it is feminine, but not ‘girly’. This perfume is definitely for women who wear crisp button-up shirt, pantsuit, and high heels.
Dior Addict
Top notes: Mandarin Leaf, and Orange Blossom.
Middle notes: Jasmine Sambac.
Base notes: Bourbon Vanilla.
Dior Addict Eau de parfum by the house Christian Dior is an oriental floral fragrance that was launched in 2014 as a reformulated version of an old perfume. The ‘nose’ behind the Dior Addict fragrance is Francois Demachy.
If you want to make a statement, Dior Addict is the fragrance for you; it is rich without being flashy, and charming without being pompous.
Dior Addict starts with fresh and alluring top notes of Mandarin Leaf and Orange Blossom, reveals a soft, feminine heart of Jasmine Sambac, and settles into the warmth and comfort of Bourbon Vanilla
This fragrance is pretty, lady-like, and well-behaved; it is fitting for a celebration in a fancy French restaurant or an evening at the theater. Wherever you go, you will leave an elegant and seductive trail of vanilla scent in your wake.
Giorgio Armani Sì
Top notes: Cassis.
Middle notes: May Rose, and Freesia.
Base notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Ambroxan, and Woody Notes.
Sì is a chypre, fruity fragrance that was launched in 2013 by Giorgio Armani. The creator of Sì fragrance is Christine Nagel.
I don’t usually gravitate towards sweet and fruity scents, and Sì is definitely not my cup of tea, yet it somehow gotten into my list. Besides being sweet, Sì is also rich, warm, aromatic, spicy, and, simultaneously, even a bit clean and “soapy”.
At first, you experience the perfume’s playful and girly, fruity scent, but the fragrance quickly transforms into a deeper and more sophisticated grown-up woman’s scent that is versatile enough to be worn both day and night.
Personally, I think that Sì is one of the most versatile and “lovable” elegant perfumes for winter.
Tom Ford Velvet Orchid
Top notes: Rum, Honey, Bergamot, and Mandarin Orange.
Middle notes: Orchid, Black Orchid, Jasmine, Hyacinth, Rose Oil, Heliotrope, Narcissus, Magnolia, and Orange Blossom.
Base notes: Sandalwood, Myrrh, Peru Balsam, Vanilla, Suede, and Labdanum.
Velvet Orchid is an oriental floral fragrance that was launched in 2014 by Tom Ford; it is a more subtle and refined version of the notorious Black Orchid perfume.
Through this perfume, stroll back into the world of old Hollywood drama, a world of velvet dresses and dashes of red matte lipstick; dip into a rich, warm, and sultry world of rum, honey, and vanilla.
Velvet Orchid is not your typical elegant perfume, and it is undeniably the most sensual perfume in this article. This fragrance is as sensual as wearing a long trench coat and black pumps; wearing it is the equivalent of displaying a power suit and a quality leather bag, and feels similar to slipping into a silk night gown with a glass of red wine on a velvet couch.
If you are looking for a fragrance that would make you feel as if you own the room before you’ve even walked in, Velvet Orchid might be just right for you.
Beware, those who spray light, modern fragrances five to six times will find themselves fighting for their lives in a battle of chemical warfare if they do so with Velvet Orchid; with this perfume, less is definitely more.
Cartier La Panthère
Top notes: Dried Fruits, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Anise, Bergamot.
Middle notes: Gardenia, Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Orange Blossom, Pear.
Base notes: Oakmoss, Musk, Patchouli, Leather.
La Panthère Eau de parfum by Cartier is a chypre-floral fragrance that was launched in 2014. The fragrance was created by the perfumer Mathilde Laurent.
Cartier is a world-renowned French company that specializes in luxury goods such as jewelry, watches, and, of course, perfumes. The panther genus has inspired Cartier’s designers since 1914, and La Panthère perfume is no exception.
With the scent of La Panthère, Cartier offers a unique new accord that combines a woman’s feline and feral side with her delicate femininity and sensuality. The result is less harsh than one would expect, but rather expresses the majestic strength of panthers in a tasteful and graceful way.
La Panthère opens with a quiet, soft, and fruity note, settles into a note of creamy white gardenia flowers, which are as ladylike as chiffon gloves, and finishes by turning into a base note of velvety musk and leather, which add an animalistic touch.
As with anything else be Cartier, La Panthère perfume captures the essence of elegance, sophistication, and femininity; it is a captivating perfume – a jewel in itself.
Those are my favorite elegant perfumes for the winter of 2020.
I’d love to read your thoughts! What is your go-to perfume for winter? Please leave a comment in the section below.
Read my perfume article series:
1. Perfume hacks that every elegant woman must know
2. The best elegant perfumes for winter
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