The 9 Best Fall Fragrances, After 2 Months of Editor Testing

After testing dozens of perfumes, I keep coming back to The Baroness—it's also the first one I recommend to friends and coworkers. This new fall release smells sophisticated, without overwhelming. I usually rotate my fragrance wardrobe based on my mood, location, and outfit, but this is one I constantly reach for throughout the season.

What sets it apart is how the pairing of orange blossom and chantilly adds a subtly sweet freshness. Most traditional fall fragrances feature leather and musk. The Baroness offers floral brightness that couples seamlessly with warm sandalwood. It’s an unexpected combo that has me sniffing my inner wrists throughout the day.

I knew this perfume was on my Mount Rushmore of fall fragrances when I wouldn’t stop thinking about it while wearing other scents. Whoops! Penhaligon’s is also a niche British brand, so you’ll likely be the only one in your friend group sporting this fall fragrance. It’s definitely my top recommendation for a signature scent.

Despite its princely price tag, a bottle of The Baroness is truly worth the upfront splurge. For starters, it lasts from my morning commute to the early afternoon. I just allow the remaining scent to linger and touch up before heading out of the office. The packaging is also beautiful; the glass feels weighty in my hand and the vintage-inspired gazelle lid is a real statement piece.

I didn’t expect a dermatologist to create one of my favorite fall perfumes, but Alexis Granite, MD, nailed it with Peace Mood. It’s a low-key mood booster for when I crave moments of serenity during the chaotic pre-holiday season. I dab on the stick fragrance to my pulse points—inner wrists and neck—and enjoy a subtle blend of violet, orris, vetiver, cedarwood, and cacao. Its unique jelly texture prevents spills during travel, so I like to stash one in my TSA beauty bag.

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Skip the boring gift set and opt for this statement-making perfume from Drake instead. The stunning circular bottle includes an elevated stand. Cloudar is more than just aesthetics. It converted me into a fan of woody perfumes. This one dries down to a mix of tonka bean—imagine vanilla’s cooler, older cousin—vetiver grass, and atlas cedar that has strangers asking me what scent I’m wearing.

A bonus: If you order the featured full-size bottle from Ulta, you’ll get a Cloudar deluxe mini bottle from now until November 7. You can keep one in your purse for travel, on your work desk before heading out to happy hour, or proudly display it at home as I do.

Libre is like confidence in a bottle. Warm vanilla, lavender, and orange blossom transition seamlessly from morning to night, though I prefer spraying this one on for daytime adventures because it’s unexpected. The typical morning-appropriate scent is made with fresh and light notes, with subtle projection.

Like most YSL perfumes, Libre is bold, but the balance of freshness and creamy sweetness prevents it from feeling overpowering. It’s the fragrance equivalent of Le Smoking, designer Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic women’s tuxedo jacket. Like Le Smoking, Libre is timeless for all occasions, ranging from a night out to the office. Just consider wearing one or two sprays to work to avoid overwhelming your coworkers.

Angels’ Share is my go-to gourmand fragrance. Boozy cognac, tonka bean, oak wood, cinnamon essence, praline, and vanilla make it the perfect perfume for crisp fall days. If the brand ever released an Angels’ Share body wash and lotion, I’d sign up for preorder stat. The aroma is truly that epic.

One thing to keep in mind: I only need a small amount of perfume for long-lasting wear, so this splurge-worthy scent can easily last me a year even with liberal applications. It’s definitely one of the most popular perfumes in my collection, with friends always spraying it on whenever they come over.