Think You Don't Like the Smell of Leather? These Perfumes Will Change Your Mind

Scent Type: Powdery woods

Notes: Lotus flower, pepper, clove, muguet, orchid, green violet, leather, cedarwood, sandalwood

Fans of floral perfumes who have been looking for a hint of leather should snag this one before it flies off the shelves for the cooler months. Opening with soft lotus flower, the fragrance shifts towards spicy, floral notes before we're greeting with a warm base of leather. While its more woody notes are detectable, this leather scent offers a fresh and light take on leather that's exceedingly wear.

Customer Review: "As far as leather fragrances go, this one leans mild and clean. The leather is dry and smooth. The cedar is dusty yet crisp, like fresh sawdust in a well-kept stable, and the floral element is gentle, like an open field of small, delicate flowers the day after a big rain. It's rustic and unisex, but with a subtly pretty element."

Pros: Of all the leather fragrances I've tried, this smells the most like a well-worn leather coat

Cons: Reapplication was needed after three hours of wear for it to linger on my skin all day

Scent Type: Aromatic fougère

Notes: Tobacco, pink pepper, bourbon honey, lavender

When I want to be transported back in time to the Harlem renaissance, this aromatic foguère fragrance does the trick. By combing juicy tobacco with pink pepper, bourbon honey, and a touch of lavender, its a timeless leather fragrance that's the definition of cool. "This is our modern leather signature: smooth, smoldering, and laced with sensual tension," explains Johnson. "It’s quietly commanding with an undeniable presence."

Customer Review: "Honestly, describing this scent as smelling like both a smoky jazz lounge and well-dressed refined gentleman doesn't do it the justice of how deep and complex its profile can actually be. Wears great for any occasion, doesn't overwhelm the nose, or overstay its welcome."

Pros: Has an addictive, smoked tobacco opening set alight by pink pepper

Cons: None

Scent Type: Earthy woods

Notes: Fresh evergreen, marine accord, moss, clove, churned earth, pin sap, leather, ambrox, blue musk

I can't think of a fragrance that offers and earthy, woody twist on a classic leather scent than this one by Ranger Station. The Leather + Pine Perfume starts with an airy blend of fresh evergreen agains a marine accord. Moss, clove, and churned earth exist at the heart of this one, complemented by warm leather-notes that are reminiscent of your favorite well-worn coat to wear as temperatures take a dip.

Customer Review: "[I] Absolutely cannot get enough of this scent. It smells like being in a quiet, dense, snow-covered pine forest, but also retains the warmness of a leather fragrance. Fresh and inviting without being overpowering. Has fantastic silage and projection for the price. My #1 winter fragrance."

Pros: Reminiscent of pine needles and churn earth accented with leather and a marine accord

Cons: None

Scent Type: Woody spices

Notes: Black leather, violet flower, jasmine flower, amber, moss, patchouli, vetiver

What's more timeless than a bold leather scent that flawlessly combines loud black leather with the softness of violets and jasmine? This fragrance also possesses and amber touch accentuated with earthy elements and a splash of vetiver to finish it off. The bottle that houses the scent is equally as stunning with a sleek black design and minimalist details that would look beyond chic displayed on any vanity.

Customer Review: "I love this perfume! It is a great mix of masculine and feminine which is perfect for me. I have had nice compliments on how it smells on me. Packaging is sleek and unassuming. It is on the pricier side of perfume, but you can smell the difference!"

Pros: Has jaw-dropping longevity, with wear time reaching over eight hours

Cons: Is incredibly bold and leans more "traditionally" masculine than the fragrances I wear on the daily

Scent Type: Woody spices

Notes: Black pepper essence, cinnamon leaves essence, cypriol essence, Virginian cedarwood essence, oud infusion, leather accord, labdanum resinoid

Oud and leather are the perfect pair, and they shine in Maison Margiela's 'Replica' Under the Stars. This dynamic duo of woody spices are made even more luminous with a blend of cinnamon leaves and cypriol. The fragrance also includes resinoid, giving this scent an earthy, resinous touch that helps recreate the magic of gazing up at the stars against a blanket of black.

Customer Review: "The scent is musky and very strong. A perfect unisex perfume for you and your significant other. It reminds me of the nights when we used to camp outside. A little smoky at the beginning, but later it softens and gets sweeter. Long-lasting."

Pros: A bold, leather-forward fragrance that's versatile and wearable for all occasions

Cons: Is very strong at first due to the opening note of spicy, black pepper essence and presence of oud infusion at its base

Scent Type: Aromatic woods

Notes: Osmanthus, burning sage, carrot seed, tobacco leaves, iris, upcycled rose, vintage leather, Mexican oakwood, labdanum

If a combination of sheer woods, burning sage, and vintage leather sound particularly enticing, House of Bō's Espíratu belongs with you. It enchants the senses with the sweet, honeyed floral notes and leathery undertones of osmanthus before shifting into a grounding blend of smoky sage, carrot seed, tobacco leaves, and iris. Lurking in this scent's base is upcylced rose (which lends a powdery, fresh note) combined with Mexican oakwood and labdanum.

Customer Review: "With notes like leather, tobacco, and woods you'd think this would be quite heavy, but it's actually quite pleasant. Nice dry woods with a touch of grounded florals. There is a touch of smoke, but it's done with a gentle hand so it won't choke you out. Nicely blended!"

Pros: Has a dry, woody finish that accentuates the earthy, leather notes beautifully

Cons: Offered at a considerably high price point

Scent Type: Aromatic woods

Notes: Red grapefruit, elemi, bergamot, agarwood, black leather, labdanum, incense, patchouli, palo santo

Fans of earthy fragrances will be as obsessed with The Maker's Stag Eau de Parfum as I've been since being introduced to it a few months ago. Soft black leather, labdanum, and incense are at the heart of this bright and lively perfume with red grapefruit offering a tangy, juicy start and a dash of smoky palo santo to finish it off. The end result is something irresistible mystical and inviting.

Customer Review: "Love, love, love this. It weirdly enough smells like picking from wild blackberry bushes nearby a freshly burning campfire with a scent of incense hanging on your clothes. Very magical and gender euphoric for me as a trans masc. person, though I would say it is still androgynous. gorgeous initial notes and dry down! Very sensual and elegant in my opinion!"

Pros: Possesses a certain crispiness accented by hints of red grapefruit and patchouli

Cons: None

Scent Type: Warm gourmand

Notes: Vanilla infusion, lavender, vanilla caviar, vanilla absolute

My first impression of this Burberry fragrance was that it was one of those classic, warm gourmands that lead with smooth vanilla and finished with even more vanilla (which is partly true). However, the perfume also has a woody and earthy suede-leather base that adds a smooth, luxurious feel to an otherwise rich and sweet vanilla perfume. I like to think of this one as living a double life that makes it the ideal day to night leather pick.

Customer Review: "This is an absolutely beautiful lavender vanilla fragrance. The first spray has a slightly spicy yet refreshing scent as the ginger in the top note is what you will first notice. Then it dries into a lovely lavender vanilla. Overtime the lavender fades and the vanilla remains, however, throughout the day you still get hints of the lavender."

Pros: Includes enchanting notes of lavender for a delicate, floral touch

Cons: Lasts longer when sprayed directly on clothing than it does on my skin

Scent Type: Floral musk

Notes: Exclusive rose-on-rose co-distillation, white pepper, black leather accord

I'm always partial to perfumes that have a hint of rose, so I was excited to discover this Tom Ford favorite. Rose Exposed is the closest fragrance on this list to a skin scene that's floral, warm, and familiar with a spell-binding blend of an exclusive rose-on-rose co-distillation note of rose absolute and rose water extract. The scent also features white pepper, musk, and woods underscored by a mysterious black leather accord.

Customer Review: "Tom Ford Rose Exposé is an absolute triumph for rose lovers! This fragrance masterfully captures the essence of a fresh, dewy rose with a modern, sophisticated twist. It's vibrant, elegant, and has an impressive longevity that lingers beautifully throughout the day. A truly stunning and captivating scent that's perfect for any occasion—it simply radiates charm and confidence!"

Pros: The presence of white pepper adds a soft luminosity to the fresh rose note

Cons: The introduction of the black leather accord feels slightly sharp upon first spritz

Scent Type: Animalic woods

Notes: Butterscotch leather, cistus, cubeb, pale orris, cypriol, saffron, vegan castoreum, myrrh, cade

If you've never heard of butterscotch leather, just know that the D.S. Durga Leatherize Eau de Parfum is made that much better because of it. Yes, the brilliant combination of pale orris, cypriol, and saffron keep the fragrance soft and floral, the butterscotch leather adds an iconic, animalic twist to the equation. It's one of the most realistic leather fragrances of the bunch, and deserves all the hype it gets.

Customer Review: "This is a black leather car interior, a pair of pointy boots, too many guys in a basement wearing near new moto jackets. An initial almost vinyl 'squeak' smooths out, but there is a distinct bite throughout. A little brash in a great way."

Pros: A bold leather fragrance that's highly realistic, wearable, and versatile

Cons: Is not as detectable on the skin after a couple hours of wear (needed to reapply)

Scent Type: Fruity Woods

Notes: Strawberry liquor, orris absolute, labdanum, leather accord, clearwood, skin musk, vanilla, condensed milk

Playful, fruity fragrances are generally the go-to for many fragrance lovers for the spring and summer, but by adding a leather accord, they can take us right through the cooler months by adding coziness. This bright, leather perfume opens with sticky, sweet strawberry liquor before orris absolute, labdanum, and a smooth leather accord take things up a notch. Upon dry-down, wearers are introduced to skin musk and vanilla, making it versatile and wearable year-round.

Customer Review: "This fragrance is a delight. It's a nostalgic experience of strawberry Twizzlers and vintage orris. I get a lot of leather, sweetness and the orris, and the combination does just seem so-twizzler like. This does fade in the dry down to a more musky, earthy scent with just a mild sweetness. I love it though. A gem."

Pros: The combination of strawberry liquor and orris makes this a great pick for a spring scent

Cons: The strawberry liquor adds a more sweetness to this one than I'd like, but is mellowed out a little by the skin musk and leather accord

Scent Type: Woody floral

Notes: Peach, plum, violet, peony, patchouli, leather, vanilla

As a fan of all things literary, you can bet I stock up on this Byredo perfume whenever it's on sale. Bibliothèque smells exactly like a library filled to the brim with leather-bound books and secrets with a combination of leather, patchouli, and vanilla. However, it opens with a burst of ripe peach, plum, and a bouquet of light florals that helps keep the fragrance delightfully light ad balanced. It's basically Light Academia in a bottle.

Customer Review: This is my favorite new fragrance. I love the sweetness, the depth , and spiciness that this perfume has. It is a beautiful scent that lasts all day. I have received many compliments . I even spray it on my wrist when I go to bed at night so I can smell it while I am reading. It is lovely!

Pros: Captures the warmth and mystery hiding between the pages of leather bound books

Cons: Can sometimes read a little too masculine for my liking, so I prefer to layer it with other violet-forward scents

Scent Type: Aromatic woods

Notes: Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, cardamom, iris, violet, smoky wood alloy, ambrox, leather accord and musky notes

Yes, this perfume is built around the the warm, sweet, and slightly creamy note of Australian sandalwood, but the leather accord and musk notes in it are second-to-none. Warm and crisp, this Le Labo perfume opens with an aromatic woody blend before revealing soft cardamon with ethereal light florals. I didn't initially pick up on the presence of smoky wood alloy, but the addictive note came through with some dry down.

Customer Review: "Beautiful warm yet crisp fragrance. Warm wood combined with a refreshing hint of crisp salty cucumber. It smells like the nicest hotel lobby you've ever been in. Something that everyone should try on their skin. It makes my mouth water not in a gourmand way, but in just how beautiful the fragrance just feels."

Pros: The warm leather notes are beautifully enhanced with Australian sandalwood and cedarwood

Cons: Offered at a high price point and requires reapplication for all-day wear

Scent Type: Ozonic woods

Notes: Mandarin essence, cardamom essence, violet leaf absolu, clove essence, oud assafi essence, suede accord, patchouli heart, cedarwood heart, bourbon vanilla, sandalwood heart

Fantasy fragrances has been taking over TikTok recently, so it wouldn't be fair of me to leave out a mention of Yves Saint Laurent's ozonic wood scent. Ozonic perfumes tend to be characterized by their fresh, aquatic, and airy notes that add a soft and clear atmosphere to any blend. This one uses a combination of violet leaf absolute and clove essence to achieve this effect before being met with a burst of spices with patchouli heart and and oud assafi essence.

Customer Review: "YSL Cuir is a luxurious, refined leather fragrance with a perfect balance of warmth and elegance. The rich, smoky leather notes blend seamlessly with soft spices and woody undertones, creating a sophisticated, long-lasting scent. It's bold yet wearable, ideal for those who appreciate timeless, high-quality perfumery with a modern twist."

Pros: Offers a bold take on an "everyday" leather fragrance that's smooth and versatile

Cons: The opening notes are somewhat sharp, but are considerably mellowed out by the violet leaf absolu

Scent Type: Cool spices

Notes: Saffron, black suede, thyme, amberwood, olibanum, leather

I have yet to book an Under The Tuscan Sun inspired escape, so until then, I'll be using Tom Ford's underrated Tuscan Leather Eau de Parfum. Saffron and black suede open the perfume with earthy, cool spices before wearers are met with a woody, herbal blend of thyme ad amberwood. A couple of hours of wear reveals another stunning layer defined by smooth olibanum and leather.

Customer Review: "Smells fantastic! Best leather forward fragrance I’ve tried, better than Ombré imo and actually more balanced and wearable. Ombré is good but gives off more leather couch and modern feel. This is darker, more mysterious, a little fruity sweet and floral! Cool weather, especially evening is where this will shine. Absurdly expensive, even at discounters. I was able to get a small decant online for decent price. This will be for special occasions. Definitely a historic perfume. 10/10"

Pros: Offers a primal leather scent blended with the powdery freshness of nigh-blooming jasmine

Cons: None

Scent Type: Green spices

Notes: Salty pistachio, cardamom, maté, violet leaves, leather

Fresh and spicy, Penhaligon's Fortuitous Finley Eau de Parfum brings on the drama with a blend inspired by the groundskeeper of the fictional Portraits estate (for which the brand's most eye-catching line of perfumes with bold, artistic bottle designs are named). I don't pick up as much on the opening note of salty pistachio, but I'm completely enamored with this one's cozy cardamom, fresh violet leaves, and warm leather.

Customer Review: "Deep green suede leather rounded by lightly salted pistachio and sandalwood. Long-lasting and gets more well blended the longer it sits, the sweet grassy and nutty drydown is lovely. Complex yet wearable, my favorite take on pistachio and also one of the nicest leathers IMO."

Pros: Is a fresh and bold take on leather fragrances with a grounding, green touch

Cons: Offered at a luxury price point and requires reapplication to get me through the day

Scent Type: Amber woods

Notes: Incense, black pepper, almond, pink pepper, orris butter, heliotrope, orchid, bourbon vanilla, patchouli, tonka bean, amberwood, leather accord

Creed's Delphinus Eau de Parfum is a luminous amber fragrance captures the magic of a starry night sky with notes of glowing incense, lively pink pepper, and smooth orris butter set alight with a splash of bourbon vanilla, warm patchouli, honeyed tonka bean, and a timeless leather accord. It's bottle is equally gorgeous with a sleek and sophisticated design inspired by the shape of a classic gentlemen's hip flask.

Customer Review: "This scent captures a celestial vibe with its blend of woody amber, orris, and leather. The peppery top notes are balanced by a floral heart and warm base, creating a well-rounded fragrance. It's luxurious and unique, perfect for those who appreciate a special vibe to their scents that will definitely get people talking... also the packaging is gorgeous, which certainly helps!"

Pros: While the leather accord is certainly here, it's the glowing amber that adds the perfect amount of warmth

Cons: Upon first spritz, the opening notes are somewhat reminiscent of lipstick before shifting into light florals