Published in Scents & Scene | Written by Caviar & Co.
There’s a certain weight to the air now — soft, smoky, suspended. Mornings stretch more slowly. Light lingers lower. And with it comes a pull toward fragrances that feel like a worn jumper, a velvet ribbon, a secret you keep just for yourself. These are not perfumes that bloom loudly, but rather the ones that warm from within — the ones that cling to scarves, hair, skin. This season, I’ve been reaching for scents that lean inward. They’re rich, nostalgic, sometimes a little strange — like perfume left on a love letter, or the ghost of a memory in a knit collar. Some are sweet, others are smoky, all of them feel like a second layer of self.
Perfume isn’t always about making a statement. Sometimes, it’s about finding the note that settles you — that one scent that makes you feel a little more yourself. Whether you're layering for warmth or spritzing before the world wakes up, these are the bottles I find myself returning to, again and again.
By the Fireplace by Maison Margiela is as if you’re sipping mulled wine in wool socks, sparks crackling nearby. This is the scent of charred wood, chestnut, and just enough vanilla to feel like a hug. It’s both crisp and soft — like cold fingers under a warm blanket. Key Notes: Clove oil, Chestnut, Vanilla Accord
There’s something dusky and familiar about Slow Dance by Byredo. Like an old record playing in a quiet room. A floral with weight, softened by patchouli and amber. I wear this when I want to feel composed, complex, and just a little hard to place.
Key Notes: Opoponax, Geranium, Labdanum, Patchouli, Vanilla
Imagine Paris in November — old paper, roses in decay, a little pepper on your wool coat. Eau Capitale is like walking through a cool city evening wrapped in elegance. Feminine, but with an edge, that's exactly what you'll get with Eau Capitale by Diptyque
Key Notes: Rose, Bergamot, Pink Pepper
Sweet, syrupy, and seductive Delina Exclusif by Parfums De Marly has been a cult favourite for a reason. This is your dressed-up-for-dinner-in-cashmere scent. It leans more gourmand than floral, and wears like silk at night.
Key Notes: Litchi, Turkish Rose, Oud, Vanilla, Amber
One of the most skin-close, addictive scents in my collection, Myrrh & Tonka by Jo Malone, is Creamy tonka bean melts into smoky myrrh, and the result is like warm milk over incense. If perfume were a whisper, this would be it.
Key Notes: Lavender, Myrrh, Tonka Bean, Vanilla
Shop Our Curated Fragrance List Here
All of these scents — and more — can be found at Space NK, where you’ll often find seasonal offers or limited-time savings (yes, even on the cult favourites). It’s where I return when I want to test, revisit, or discover something new. You can explore their fragrance collection
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Explore More from Our World
Fragrance is just one part of ritual. In Whispers of Habit, we sit down with Reham Emare to explore the everyday routines that shape her — from beauty and fitness to scent and self-care. Discover the products she returns to, and the rhythm that grounds it all.
