Grab Your Coffee Mugs and Cable Knits—These Cozy Fragrances Are Practically Gilmore Girls Approved

Key notes: Chestnut accord, clove oil, vanilla accord

It doesn’t get much cozier than this. Think: a brightly burning, warm hearth in the luxe cabin of a sprawling mountain resort—that, my dear, is the scent of Margiela’s By the Fireplace. This spicy-sweet scent walks the tightrope between warm and smoky; an unexpected gourmand laced with deep notes of chestnut, clove, and vanilla. Though it sounds more like a recipe for a holiday dessert than a fragrance, senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider calls this fragrance one of the most classic cozy scents for its perfectly autumnal profile and cable-knit warmth.

Key notes: Vanilla caviar, orange blossom rum absolute

Vanilla perfumes are some of those seasonless scents that can survive—nay, thrive—no matter the temperature, but nary a fragrance-lover can debate their reign over the fall and winter months. I personally tend to stray from overly sweet vanillas for fear of smelling like a cupcake, but musky iterations never fail to wrap me in scent-sorial cashmere. This particular take on YSL Beauty’s iconic Libre perfume engulfs the wearer in a delicate, ambery gourmand shroud, but the magic happens with a few dashes of lavender, orange blossom, vanilla caviar, and rum absolute. The result is a mysteriously warm fragrance with notes you can’t quite place and an undeniable dose of sensuality.

Key notes: Mandarin oil, tuberose, patchouli oil

If you’re a dedicated floral perfume-wearer, never fear—we have cozy options for you here. Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock likens this spicy floral to a “warm, vintage fur jacket from the ’70s,” and after reading its olfactory notes, I can see why. An autumnal tornado of tuberose, mandarin, patchouli, and balsam, this unique scent embodies the citrusy freshness of late summer and the woodsiness of cooler weather, making this the perfect summer-to-fall transition scent or cozy fall floral.

Key notes: Bergamot, praline accord, vetiver

Know this: I am not a gourmand girl. But this sweetened, deeper version of Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique has officially turned me onto these sticky-sweet scents. The original Byredo scent spins African marigold and incense into a floral musk, but the Absolu Parfum intensifies the praline accords to take this fragrance into warmer territory. I can’t explain it, but this scent smells like a soft cashmere scarf—maybe not one Lorelai or Rory would reach for, but one you wouldn’t be surprised to sniff on Emily Gilmore. Needless to say, it’s my favorite fall scent.

Key notes: Roman chamomile, cardamom, cedar

Cozy doesn’t always mean warm and sweet, and this scent—recommended by associate beauty editor Maya Thomas—is the perfect example. You know the fragrances that smell like a nosedive (forgive the pun) into a deep, musky abyss? That’s how this refined Aesop fragrance smells. Earthy elements of Roman chamomile, magnolia leaf, cardamom, and geranium tango with rich sandalwood and cedar notes, resulting in a deep inhale of earthy, yet sophisticated goodness. While many of the above scents feel like a cardigan-wrapped fall day, this fragrance smells like a fur-draped autumn night.

Key notes: Whipped cream, vanilla mousse, jasmine blossom

If you’re a body mist lover, you’re in luck—we have the coziest scent recommendation for you. McLintock loves this dreamy, saccharine Phlur scent for a light touch of sweetness—each spritz is a candyfloss cloud of whipped cream, coconut cream, vanilla mousse, and marshmallow. Though it sounds like this scent could give you a cavity, it’s mellowed out with notes like lemon sugar and jasmine blossom to add a touch of sophistication. Something tells me Lorelai and Rory would share this one.

Key notes: Coconut milk, cedarwood, amber musk

Schneider can’t stop carrying around this perfume oil rollerball when she needs a touch of quiet warmth. Though coconut scents typically lean summery, this fragrance smells every bit of fall when combined with elegant notes of amber musk, warm woods, and lilting whispers of freesia and bergamot. If “very subtle coziness” is your vibe, as Schneider puts it, then you’ll want to try out this travel-friendly, roll-on-and-go perfume oil this autumn and winter.

Key notes: Cocoa, almond, tonka bean

Schneider describes this decadent Krigler scent as a scene: wrapped in pristine white furs and “drinking hot cocoa in the Australian Alps,” the snow lightly falling around you. Yes, this scent takes us into winter territory—and dare I say, makes me excited for it. Chocolate perfumes are one of the more polarizing gourmands, but this sophisticated scent smells more like the aromas trailing from a French chocolatier than a fudge dessert, thanks to the additions of honey, almond, tonka bean, and caramel. You certainly need a sweet tooth for this one, but you’ll savor every spritz.

Key notes: Cognac, oak wood, tonka bean

Cocktail-inspired perfumes are nothing new, but there’s rarely one that I would deem comforting or cozy out of the liquored lineup. That is, if I’m discounting Kilian Angels Share, which plays on the golden color and scent of cognac without the dark, boozy bite. This warm, spicy scent is the perfect cozy date night fragrance due to a layered blend of oak absolute, cinnamon essence, tonka bean absolute, and, of course, cognac essence. Vanilla and praline add a gourmand twist to this sultry elixir for a sweet fragrance befitting romantic nights by the fire.

Key notes: Bergamot, black pepper, coffee

You didn’t think I’d mention Gilmore Girls without including a coffee-inspired perfume, now did you? I’ve been reaching for this warm, sophisticated scent for several weeks now, and I don’t think Lorelai would think twice about dousing herself in this sweet, yet spicy fragrance. This debut fragrance from the London-based fashion brand Never Fully Dressed is a deep, ambery swirl of florals, spices, coffee, and woods, resulting in an autumnal scent that ensnares the senses. I recently wore this latte-like scent on a fall day trip to Sleepy Hollow, New York, and I marveled at how beautifully it wore throughout the very fitting, festive day.

Key notes: Vanilla bourbon, magnolia, cinnamon butter

I understand how this sweet scent got its name, because this gourmand is the stuff of dreams. Thomas favors this scent for a cozy vibe, whether on blanket-wrapped nights in or a luxe evening outing, because of its irresistible cinnamon butter, amber, and sandalwood base. Boozy vanilla bourbon brings the surprise factor while fresh magnolias give life to the perfume’s inspiration—a large, cushy bed inside a ritzy suite at The Maker Hotel.

Key notes: Rum absolute, pink pepper, tobacco leaf absolute

This scent is the kind of cozy evocative of nights spent lounging on plush, leather couches in swanky, dimly lit rooms. The chill vibe of Brooklyn jazz clubs inspired this smoky and spicy scent from Margiela—a much warmer, more inviting essence than the uppity atmosphere of Manhattan’s music scene. A spritz of this spiced, unisex scent unleashes the smokiness of rum absolute, pink pepper, and tobacco leaf absolute; warm in the way of dark liquor in slow sips.

Key notes: Bergamot, amber, cashmere wood

Beauty director Erin Jahns swears by Ckylar’s Sacred Santal perfume oil for that cozy, sweater-wrapped feeling. This subtly spiced yet comforting scent plumes when applied to your pulse points—notes of cardamom, amber, velvet musk, and cashmere wood (to name a few) melding with the natural scent of your skin to form a fragrance that’s perfectly yours. If you favor woody scents for that warm and cozy feeling, I’d recommend adding this budget-friendly option to your cart.

Key notes: Vanilla tincture, sandalwood, vanilla absolute

“Tom Ford Vanilla Sex is super cozy to me,” quips McLintock, and after casting just one glance at its fragrance profile, I’d have to agree. This vanilla-heavy Tom Ford fragrance is spiked with sandalwood for a touch of depth and floral-warmed fringe notes that keep this perfume from wandering into sticky-sweet territory. Tonka bean adds a touch of sensuality to this sophisticated gourmand, befitting of both lounging and luxury.

Key notes: Skin musk, blonde wood, bergamot nectar

I don’t know about you, but a strong vanilla scent or sandalwood perfume isn’t always the kind of coziness I look for in my everyday. However, a scent that never fails to give me that fuzzy feeling is a warm skin scent, and nothing compares to Phlur’s Missing Person. This sheer scent is a swirl of skin musk, blonde woods, and bergamot nectar—and if I could describe it in one word, it would be “comforting.” It’s familiar and new all at once, like the neck of the lover you haven’t met yet.