Styles come and go, but the popularity of fruity fragrances (in particular fruity florals in recent years) shows no signs of abating. There’s a huge variety of fruity fragrances on offer. Popular notes include peach, pear, plum, fig, apricot, black currant and lychee. More exotic options include goji berries, maninka and dragon fruit.
This list does not include citrus fragrances, as justifiably they belong to a whole category in themselves. Where known, the name of the perfumer is included in brackets after the name of the fragrance.
Do you have any favourite fruity fragrances?
DIPTYQUE FLORABELLIO EDT* (FABRICE PELLEGRIN)
The Paris-based niche fragrance house has been producing standout scents since the 1960s. Launched in 2015, Florabellio is an unusual, yet softly evocative scent. Strictly speaking, it’s a floral scent, but it’s got fruity nuances, hence its inclusion on this list.
It opens with marine and sea salt accents, with a hint of herbal fennel in the background. These blend seamlessly with apple blossom and osmanthus (with its apricot qualities). A waft of coffee is discernible throughout.
It’s a great example of how contrasts can be treated in a subtle and sophisticated way.
L’ARTISAN PARFUMEUR PREMIER FIGUIER EDT* (OLIVIA GIACOBETTI)
Diptyque Philosykos is seen by many people as the gold standard of fig perfumes. But it would be remiss of me not to also point you in the direction of the first fig fragrance, Premier Figuier. Both were created by the same perfumer.
Launched in 1994, it brilliantly captures its inspiration of lying under the shade of a fig tree in sunny Provence. It begins in fresh, green territory with a note of fig leaf that’s followed by ripe fig. A milky, woody ambience is created through a combination of almond milk, sandalwood and coconut notes.
Want a more intense and darker fig experience? Then try L’Artisan Parfumeur Premier Figuier Extrême EDP.
FREDERIC MALLE LE PARFUM DE THERESE EDP* (EDMOND ROUDNITSKA)
We can thank Edmond Roudnitska for classics such as Dior Diorissimo, Eau d’Hermès and Femme Rochas. We can also thank him for this innovative composition that was originally created in the 1950s. The legendary French perfumer produced it for the exclusive use of his wife, Thérèse. She gave the formula to Frédéric Malle when he launched his niche fragrance company at the beginning of the century.
Opening with fresh notes of melon and cucumber, it richens with the appearance of prune, rose and jasmine notes. It eventually settles on a woody base of patchouli and vetiver.
Complex and intriguing, it’s unlike any fruity fragrance I’ve smelled before.
LE LABO AMBRETTE 9 EDP* (MICHEL ALMAIRAC)
This 2006 release from the NYC-based niche fragrance house is all the proof you need that fruity fragrances needn’t be sticky sweet. They can actually be clinical, cool and as chic as hell.
Ambrette (also known as musk mallow) is a natural form of musk. It’s undoubtedly the star of this scent show, but the mix of citrus and fruit (particularly pear) makes a notable contribution too.
It’s a soft take on the fruity fragrances theme and gets the balance between slightly sweet and sour just right.
DIOR BELLE DE JOUR EDP (FRANCOIS DEMACHY)
Fruity florals have been one of the big fragrance trends in recent years, but can be strident and sickly sweet. From the French luxury fashion brand’s exclusive La Collection Privée, Belle de Jour is none of these things.
A rose note with fruity accents takes the leading role in this composition. It’s skilfully paired with dollops of juicy pear and peach, bringing just the right amount of sweetness to the sensual affair. Woodiness and powderiness give complexity to the drydown.
Although not as “sexy” as the brand claims, Belle de Jour is the epitome of Dior elegance.
TOM FORD LOST CHERRY EDP (LOUISE TURNER)
The American designer knows how to grab our attention with a provocative name. His latest release is called Rose Prick and then there was the none-too-subtle Fucking Fabulous from 2017. But fortunately, there’s more to his fragrances than just marketing tricks.
Launched in 2018, Lost Cherry makes a decadent statement from the opening notes of cherry and cherry liqueur. A bitter almond note provides pleasing contrast. The theme of sweet and sour continues through to the heart of the scent, featuring jasmine sambac and Turkish rose notes.
After all that excess, it behaves itself on a base of tonka bean, Peru balsam and sandalwood notes.
BRITNEY SPEARS MIDNIGHT FANTASY EDP** (CAROLINE SABAS)
If you like your fruit juicy and sticky, Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy is your girl. As with all Britney Spears fragrances, this 2006 release doesn’t hold back and is what you might call a guilty pleasure. The fact that it can be bought for next to nothing adds to the sense of cheap thrills.
The opening notes of raspberry, black cherry and plum announce their fruity intentions with flamboyance. They are followed by a floral display of iris, orchid and freesia notes.
Unashamedly sweet all the way to the base notes of amber and vanilla, it’s got the fun and youthful factor in abundance.
DOLCE & GABBANA THE ONE FOR WOMEN EDP** (CHRISTINE NAGEL)
As a floriental fragrance Dolce & Gabbana The One EDP is opulent in all the right ways. Originally launched in 2006, it’s lost none of its power and sophistication.
Fresh notes of bergamot and mandarin quickly give way to juicy notes of lychee and peach in the intro. Notes of lily and jasmine flirt with plum in the heart of the scent, while vanilla, musk and amber stand out in the drydown.
If the EDP is too much of a good thing for you, this fragrance is available in a lighter (and equally captivating) EDT version.
PENHALIGON’S EMPRESSA EDP (CHRISTIAN PROVENZANO)
British niche brand Penhaligon’s has been in the fragrance biz since 1870 and is known for a slew of classics, including Bluebell and Lily of the Valley. It’s from the brand’s Trade Routes Collection, which is inspired by the exotic ingredients that arrived in London at the end of the 19th century. Empressa is as luxurious as it sounds.
There’s a brief citrus opening, but that’s not why I love this 2014 release. It’s the fruity heart of peach, dewberry and cassis intermingled with floral and spice notes that makes me swoon.
Featuring notes of patchouli, cocoa, sandalwood and brown sugar, the base completes the classy mood.
BYREDO PULP EDP (JEROME EPINETTE)
Since its founding in 2006, the Swedish niche fragrance brand has made a name for itself with distinctive fragrances such as Bal d’Afrique and Rose of No Man’s Land. Launched in 2008, Pulp is as idiosyncratic as you can get.
It dishes up a rich melange of ripe fruity notes – black currant, fig and apple – with traces of spicy cardamom and citrusy bergamot in the background.
Notes of tiara flower and peach blossom add a floral flourish, while a gourmand element sneaks in in the form of a praline note.
Those with more daring tastes will love its boldness.
Image: Byredo.com.
*Available at Skins Cosmetics.
**Available at Dis-Chem.