It's no secret that suede is having a moment this season. From suede blazers to suede handbags and even suede trousers, we are all incorporating the trend into our autumn wardrobes. However, what if I told you that there was another way to add this trend into your outfits, and that it had nothing to do with fashion at all? Yep, that's right, I'm talking about suede perfumes. These warm, musky, seductive, sophisticated scents are perfect for this time of year, and will add a chic finishing touch to any look. They also tend to be some of the most-complimented, too—there's something unusual and intoxicating about a suede perfume that makes people sit up and take notice when they smell it on you.
As a fragrance-obsessed beauty editor, I've taken it upon myself to round up some of the best suede perfumes on the market, and I've even consulted an expert to find out more about this trending note. So, keep on scrolling for all the info on suede scents and get ready to take your autumn (perfume) wardrobe to the next level...
What Does Suede Smell Like?
First things first, what does this fragrance note actually smell like? "Suede has a distinctive scent profile that is leathery with musky undertones," says Callum Ross, national education manager for Shiseido’s designer fragrance brands. "It also has velvety and soft qualities that are complemented by rich, woody nuances that evoke sensations of warmth, luxury, and sophistication."
According to Ross, these perfumes are perfect for this time of year. "Suede fragrances are great for autumn and winter," he says. "Their smokiness, warmth, and softness really suit the colder months. They remind us of romantic, cosy moments sitting by the fireplace, or taking crisp winter walks through the forest."
What Notes Does Suede Work Well With?
"Suede blends well with floral notes such as rose, iris, violet, and jasmine," Ross tells me. "It also pairs beautifully with fruity notes. Additionally, suede complements musky and woody notes, including patchouli, cedarwood, and sandalwood."
You can't forget about vanilla either, which according to Ross help to enhance the warm, sweet and rich effect of suede.
9 of the Best Suede Perfumes for Autumn and Winter
- Best suede date-night fragrance: Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir
- Best suede daytime fragrance: Jo Malone London Peony Blush Suede
- Best luxury suede fragrance: Tom Ford White Suede
- Best rich suede fragrance: Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque
- Best soft suede fragrance: Byredo Animalique
- Best celebrity suede fragrance: Ariana Grande Lovenotes Vanilla Suede
- Best autumnal suede fragrance: Liberty Zephirine
- Best warming suede fragrance: Boy Smells Suede Pony
- Best sophisticated suede fragrance: Van Cleef Arpels Collection Extraordinaire Moonlight Patchouli
1. Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir
Key notes: Plum, heliotrope, musc and leather suede accord
This is easily one of the sexiest suede fragrances out there. Juicy plum and sweet heliotrope are mixed with contrasting notes of dark leather and suede for a truly intoxicating finish.
2. Jo Malone London Peony Blush Suede
Key notes: Red apple, peony and suede
Next up is an absolute classic. Jo Malone Peony Blush Suede pairs bright, fruity, floral notes with hints of soft, sensual suede. Although this perfume might sound overly sweet, these notes of suede make the fragrance incredibly sophisticated.
3. Tom Ford White Suede
Key notes: Musk, leather, suede, rose and amber
This Tom Ford fragrance is so addictive. Rich notes of leather and suede are beautifully balanced by sweet rose and warm amber. If you want to smell expensive this autumn, you need to try this scent.
4. Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque
Key notes: Vanilla, honey, tobacco, rose, jasmine and suede
This smoky scent features soft notes of rose, jasmine, honey and suede which gives the rich aroma impressive depth.
5. Byredo Animalique
Key notes: Bergamot, lemon, suede, violet, mimosa, amber, sandalwood and tobacco
This is the kind of scent that takes you on a journey after just one spritz. It opens with fresh, citrusy lemon and bergamot before a heart of floral notes takes over. However, once it settles on the skin, warming suede, amber and tobacco start to come through. This is a complex fragrance that will have you coming back for more and more as you try to figure it out.
6. Ariana Grande Lovenotes Vanilla Suede
Key notes: Italian bergamot, sandalwood, rice milk, vanilla and musk
Celebrity fragrances are often overlooked, but this new scent from Ariana Grande is surprisingly sophisticated. It's a skin-like scent that opens with sparkling bergamot and creamy sandalwood before warming musk and powdery rice milk cocoon the senses.
7. Liberty Zephirine
Key notes: Fig, cypress, clove, rose centifolia, patchouli, benzoin, suede, vetiver and cedarwood
Liberty fragrances may be beautiful to look at, but the scents are even more exquisite. This perfume is great for those you who prefer a richer fragrance, with hints of fig, suede and cedarwood.
8. Boy Smells Suede Pony
Key notes: Suede, leather, hazelnut, amber and labdanum
This is a suede fragrance as its best. Warming amber and labdanum mix with rich, comforting hazelnut before smooth hints of suede and leather come through. It's the kind of scent you want to nuzzle your nose into again and again.
9. Van Cleef Arpels Collection Extraordinaire Moonlight Patchouli
Key notes: Patchouli, rose, iris, cacao, suede and leather
I've done a whole article on how much I love Van Cleef Arpels fragrances, and Moonlight Patchouli is no exception. It has floral notes at the core, but hints of cacao, suede and leather give this an expensive-smelling edge.
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