9 fruity perfumes you won't regret wearing as an adult
Probably one of the most polarising fruity perfumes of the past decade, Tom Ford Lost Cherry doesn't shy away from being provocative. The syrupy black cherry is unmistakable, but it's layered with almond, Turkish rose and smoky woods to add dimension. It toes the line between playful and seductive, and while it's not for minimalists, it's certainly not immature. 3. Vilhelm Parfumerie Mango Skin
Not your typical tropical-fruit fragrance, Mango Skin opens with juicy sweetness, then morphs into something darker and almost leathery. The mango is joined by blackcurrant and a whisper of floral and musky notes. It's surprisingly complex for a fruit-forward scent, and the skin-like dry-down gives it a grown-up sensuality. 4. Jo Loves Pomelo
Created by Jo Malone herself, Pomelo is bright, clean and energetic without veering into sporty territory. The grapefruit-adjacent pomelo gives the scent a tartness that's tempered by vetiver and rose, making it more refined than most citrus-heavy fruity perfumes. It's perfect for warm days when you want something crisp and uncomplicated. 5. DKNY Be Delicious EDP
An apple a day might not change your life, but Be Delicious has earned its place in the fruity perfume canon. The green apple note is front and centre, but it's supported by cucumber, magnolia and woods, giving it a crisp freshness rather than a fruit salad effect. It's not trying to be niche or avant-garde, but it's undeniably wearable and has aged better than most early-2000s icons. 6. Malin+Goetz Strawberry EDP
Forget the synthetic strawberry scents of adolescence—this version is moodier and more conceptual. Strawberry opens with a burst of sweetness, but quickly settles into cedar, musk and orris. It walks an interesting line between familiar and offbeat, proving that fruity perfumes can be both playful and artful. 7. Byredo Rouge Chaotique
This is a dense, textured take on fruit. Byredo Rouge Chaotique is led by dates, plum and berries, but they're soaked in rum and wrapped in vanilla and praline. The result is boozy, rich and just the right amount of excessive. It's not your usual daytime scent, but it's a statement-maker for nights when you want to smell unforgettable. 8. Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne
One of the brand's more enduring blends, Blackberry & Bay is green, tart and a little earthy. The blackberry note is juicy but restrained, complemented by bay leaves and a whisper of florals. It doesn't overstay its welcome and works brilliantly as a daily scent, especially if you like your fruity perfumes with a herbal twist. 9. D.S. & Durga Debaser
Inspired by the Pixies song of the same name, Debaser doesn't follow the traditional fruity route. Fig is the fruit of choice here, and it's rendered in a creamy, almost coconut-like way. Balanced by tonka and iris, the result is warm, musky and just eccentric enough to be memorable. Think late summer skin rather than fig jam.
These nine fruity perfumes challenge the idea that fruit equals frivolous. Whether you lean toward crisp citrus, juicy berries or overripe tropicals, there's a grown-up version out there waiting to be discovered.
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Tatler Asia
11-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
9 fruity perfumes you won't regret wearing as an adult
2. Tom Ford Lost Cherry Probably one of the most polarising fruity perfumes of the past decade, Tom Ford Lost Cherry doesn't shy away from being provocative. The syrupy black cherry is unmistakable, but it's layered with almond, Turkish rose and smoky woods to add dimension. It toes the line between playful and seductive, and while it's not for minimalists, it's certainly not immature. 3. Vilhelm Parfumerie Mango Skin Not your typical tropical-fruit fragrance, Mango Skin opens with juicy sweetness, then morphs into something darker and almost leathery. The mango is joined by blackcurrant and a whisper of floral and musky notes. It's surprisingly complex for a fruit-forward scent, and the skin-like dry-down gives it a grown-up sensuality. 4. Jo Loves Pomelo Created by Jo Malone herself, Pomelo is bright, clean and energetic without veering into sporty territory. The grapefruit-adjacent pomelo gives the scent a tartness that's tempered by vetiver and rose, making it more refined than most citrus-heavy fruity perfumes. It's perfect for warm days when you want something crisp and uncomplicated. 5. DKNY Be Delicious EDP An apple a day might not change your life, but Be Delicious has earned its place in the fruity perfume canon. The green apple note is front and centre, but it's supported by cucumber, magnolia and woods, giving it a crisp freshness rather than a fruit salad effect. It's not trying to be niche or avant-garde, but it's undeniably wearable and has aged better than most early-2000s icons. 6. Malin+Goetz Strawberry EDP Forget the synthetic strawberry scents of adolescence—this version is moodier and more conceptual. Strawberry opens with a burst of sweetness, but quickly settles into cedar, musk and orris. It walks an interesting line between familiar and offbeat, proving that fruity perfumes can be both playful and artful. 7. Byredo Rouge Chaotique This is a dense, textured take on fruit. Byredo Rouge Chaotique is led by dates, plum and berries, but they're soaked in rum and wrapped in vanilla and praline. The result is boozy, rich and just the right amount of excessive. It's not your usual daytime scent, but it's a statement-maker for nights when you want to smell unforgettable. 8. Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne One of the brand's more enduring blends, Blackberry & Bay is green, tart and a little earthy. The blackberry note is juicy but restrained, complemented by bay leaves and a whisper of florals. It doesn't overstay its welcome and works brilliantly as a daily scent, especially if you like your fruity perfumes with a herbal twist. 9. D.S. & Durga Debaser Inspired by the Pixies song of the same name, Debaser doesn't follow the traditional fruity route. Fig is the fruit of choice here, and it's rendered in a creamy, almost coconut-like way. Balanced by tonka and iris, the result is warm, musky and just eccentric enough to be memorable. Think late summer skin rather than fig jam. These nine fruity perfumes challenge the idea that fruit equals frivolous. Whether you lean toward crisp citrus, juicy berries or overripe tropicals, there's a grown-up version out there waiting to be discovered. READ MORE 5 Chinese perfume brands to add to your scent rotation 6 summery hair mists to pack in your beach tote 5 viral sunscreen sticks South Koreans swear by
Vogue Arabia
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Musky Perfumes Are the Most Versatile Tool in My Fragrance Wardrobe – Meet My Favourite Scents
Meanwhile, Emma South, fragrance and lifestyle expert at Jo Malone London, shares that musk was 'originally sourced from animals, it's now entirely replaced by plant extracts or synthetic recreations.' 'Consequently, 'musk' is elusive to pin down, there are many interpretations ranging from airy with hints of powder to deep, animalic and amber-like,' she adds. Emma also shares that 'each musk has its own nuance' and that it has the ability to 'enhance the scent trail.' What kind of notes best complement musk? 'Musk pairs well with a wide range of floral and powdery notes, which blend seamlessly to enhance each other,' shares Thibaud. 'At Maison Crivelli, we often use musks as a drydown, combined with vanilla and leather. They allow us to highlight textures and prolong the trail of the perfume,' he explains. 'You'll find it in the background of some of our best-sellers such as Hibiscus Mahajad, Oud Maracuja and Tubéreuse Astrale, where it brings roundness, elegance, and a tactile sensuality that anchors the composition while amplifying its emotional impact,' Thibaud says. According to Emma, musk pairs effortlessly with 'delicate, dewy florals', such as Jo Malone London's Wild Bluebell cologne. 'Whilst deeper, magnetic musks can give even more gravitas to incense notes or create the perfect foil for the iridescence of citrus,' she adds. How to best layer musky perfumes Emma suggests 'layering a minimal, airy musky scent with a soft citrus such as bergamot.' 'Alternatively, use musk to illuminate rich balmy white florals and let them take flight, this makes a mesmerizing way to wear musk into the evening,' she explains. Thibaud agrees: 'I would pair musks with fresh notes such as citrus or peony, or with soft powdery notes like violet or iris. These combinations create contrast and reveal new dimensions of both the musk and the supporting notes.' What are the challenges of creating a musky scent? 'As with any formula, true artistry lies in the balance of ingredients and musk can make or break a fragrance,' shares Emma. 'I have heard perfumers refer to musks as the triangles of the orchestra (if a bright and shimmering musk) or the garlic in cuisine (if rich and animalic),' she says. 'Musk requires a high level of technical skill to be handled well. One challenge is to avoid a flat or overly linear structure, especially since musks are often very diffusive yet subtle,' explains Thibaud. 'The goal is to blend them elegantly so they feel both complex and soft, with long-lasting qualities that stay close to the skin without losing their character,' he says.
Vogue Arabia
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How Oudh Found Its Way Back Into My Life
And then, without warning, the scent of my childhood was everywhere. Somewhere between social media and artisanal perfumers, oudh became aspirational. When Tom Ford launched Oud Wood in 2007, a shift began. A scent long tied to Middle Eastern and South Asian traditions entered the Western luxury lexicon, setting off a ripple effect. The oudh extracts market alone is projected to reach $2.66 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9 per cent. The same fragrance profile I once distanced myself from is now bottled into $400 (₹35,000) perfumes, a marker of sophistication. Roberto Cavalli's Divine Oud. Oud Satin Mood by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Oud Ispahan by Dior. Repackaged, rebranded and reclaimed—except not by me, not yet. According to Abdulla Ajmal, CEO of Ajmal Perfumes, international fragrance houses have been reinterpreting oudh for over a decade, sometimes using real oudh but more often creating an 'oudh accord' with saffron, rose, leather and vanilla. This makes the scent more accessible but also dilutes its meaning. Traditionally, oudh symbolises spirituality, wealth and heritage. The resinous heartwood of the Aquilaria tree, found in abundance in Assam, has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, meditation and old-school perfumery. Yet, its reinvention isn't necessarily a loss—it has introduced new audiences to its depth, ones who may eventually seek the real thing. I am one of them, moving from hesitant traces to something bolder, learning to embrace what I once kept at arm's length. When my sister and I smelled the Fenty perfume for the first time, a rich woody-rose tickled my nose and we exchanged a knowing look. 'This smells so Dubai,' we both thought. But this time, I didn't shrink away from it. Oudh burrows into my memory, unlocking the past in an instant, what psychologists call the Proustian effect. Marcel Proust discovered it in a madeleine; for me, it lingers in this fragrance, carrying the warmth of summer evenings and the echo of my grandmother's laughter. It's the scent of childhood, of history, of a self I spent years trying to distance myself from, only to realise that I never wanted to let go. Perhaps that's why I finally stopped avoiding it. Nostalgia isn't just about longing for the past; it's about deciding what's worth holding on to. I choose the scent of home. Article originally published on Vogue India
