The 18 Best Classic Perfumes to Wear That Are Always In Style

Best Overall

Chanel No°5

View On Chanel View On Sephora $105 View On Ulta $172

It can be hard to believe that something over 100 years old can still be relevant to today’s landscape — but it’s called timeless style, honey, look it up. From the legendary glass bottle (to which Andy Warhol famously paid tribute) to the scent inside, Chanel No°5 is one of those perfumes that has been and will always be a classic. Notes like powdery iris, warm vanilla, cozy sandalwood, and crisp, sparkling aldehydes for a scent that’s all at once sophisticated, sultry, charming, and fresh. Kind of perfectly describes one of the scent’s most iconic wearers — Marilyn Monroe — perfectly, don’t you think?

What’s nice about a scent that’s as iconic as this one is that you’ll be able to get it in many different iterations, including body wash and bar soap, to really make the fragrance your signature. But don’t mistake this scent’s omnipresence for ease of wear! It definitely takes a certain kind of woman to effortlessly pull off Chanel No°5, so go ahead and test it to ensure you can make it your own. Everyone has smelled this scent in some way or form before, so you want it to smell like it was made for you, not like you’re trying on a perfume costume.

Key Notes: Jasmine, aldehydes, sandalwood｜Size: 1.7 oz

Best Budget

The Body Shop White Musk Eau de Parfum

View On Thebodyshop.com

This launch from 1981 is a “wonderful, classic fragrance,” says Alexandra Monet, perfumer at Dsm-Firmenich. “You can wear it in combination with another fragrance or just by itself — it’s comforting and very sensual.” That sensuality comes courtesy of jasmine, which is freshened up with lily of the valley. The soft, intimate aroma of musk transforms this blend into a true “girl next door” type of perfume that you’ll want to mist on over and over again throughout the day.

That desire to reapply may also end up being a necessity. That’s because White Musk isn’t the most long-wearing formula, but at such an affordable price point, we don’t mind burning through the bottle to get the staying power we want.

Key Notes: Lily of the valley, jasmine, musk｜Size: 1 oz

Best Long-Lasting

Robert Piguet Fracas Eau de Parfum

View On Amazon $185 View On Robertpiguetparfums.com View On Walmart $118

If you’re a white floral lover and have never tried Fracas, (a) what are you doing? And (b) you’re in for a real treat. This truly indulgent, luxurious scent boasts all the qualities of a fantastic white floral: It’s incredibly long-wearing, it’s both innocent and incredibly sultry, it’s sweet (thanks to the addition of peach and mandarin) and almost raw, and looks fabulous on any vanity.

Fracas has a timeless elegance to it — like a diamond tennis bracelet — that makes it the perfect accent to any outfit. Note that it’s incredibly powerful, with a little bit going a long way and the staying power to last for an entire day. That strength means that it might be too intense in certain settings, like on a very hot, humid day or in tight quarters. However, it should absolutely be on rotation if you love a white floral — trust us.

Key Notes: Tuberose, jasmine, gardenia｜Size: 1.7 oz

Best Luxury

Creed Fleurissimo Eau de Parfum

View On Nordstrom $425 View On Creedboutique.com View On Neiman Marcus $425

Few things are quite as luxurious as royalty — and this perfume from the legendary House of Creed was said to be commissioned by Prince Rainier III of Monaco as a wedding day gift for Grace Kelly. Designed to compliment her wedding bouquet, this fragrance features a delicate blend of florals like ylang-ylang, rose, jasmine, and neroli, with a squeeze of citrus and a touch of velvety orris root (one of the priciest ingredients used in perfume).

It’s feminine and sophisticated and, despite the inclusion of tuberose, is soft and demure rather than being an attention grabber — true quiet luxury. We will say that this delicate scent is not as long-wearing as some; the floral notes wear down into a skin scent rather than blooming into a lush garden. For us, that’s part of the appeal of this perfume. It makes you smell effortlessly gorgeous, not like you’re trying to make a statement.

Key Notes: Violet leaves, ylang-ylang, orris｜Size: 2.5 oz

Best Fruity

Krigler Mediterranean Peach 15 Eau de Parfum

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Imagine a peach orchard in the Mediterranean — someone’s just handed you freshly-plucked, slightly overripe fruit that’s positively dripping with honeyed nectar, while jasmine wafts through the air in the background. That’s this indulgent scent from Krigler, which was first crafted as a bespoke scent in 1915 for a British client who loved peaches. It’s sweet, juicy, and as elusive as a truly perfect peach.

Don’t get us wrong, we love when a scent is exclusive, but when considering such a big purchase, we like to try before we buy, ideally in person. To do that with Krigler, you’ll have to go to one of the brand’s few retail destinations, which include The Plaza Hotel in New York, the Ritz-Carlton in Miami, and (naturally) the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat along the French Riviera.

Key Notes: Peach, honey, jasmine｜Size: 1.7 oz

Best Vanilla

Guerlain L'Heure Bleue Eau de Toilette

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Fun fact: The most iconic Guerlain fragrances have an olfactory signature, which is also known as Guerlinade. This term refers to a specific blend of the house’s high-quality ingredients, and when they’re masterfully mixed into a fragrance.

Guerlain aficionados generally regard this scent as the pinnacle of Guerlinade. One of those critical ingredients is vanilla, which isn’t sugary in this scent, but closer to the scent of an actual vanilla bean pod. It’s tempered by powdery iris, creamy tonka, and spicy clove for a truly legendary scent. “It is my favorite classic fragrance of all time,” says Monet. “My grandmother used to wear it — I love wearing it sometimes to feel elegant and confident.”

If you love a sophisticated classic fragrance, track down a bottle of this scent ASAP — it was first made in the early 1900s and has been increasingly challenging to find, especially if you prefer to test something in person first.

Key Notes: Vanilla, iris, anise｜Size: 2.5 oz

Best Sweet

Pink Sugar Eau de Toilette

View On Amazon $65 View On Fragrancenet.com $21

Ask any millennial what the ultimate sweet perfume is and you’re bound to hear Pink Sugar as a response. This iconic scent launched about 20 years ago and has been a staple of confectionery fragrance lovers ever since.

The most overt notes here are cotton candy, vanilla, and caramel, which give the scent an almost dense, chewy feel, which is brightened up by strawberry and raspberry and made slightly moody with a touch of licorice. The scent lasts a long while on skin; anyone who catches a whiff will enjoy its playful, feminine, and sugary vibes.

The only caveat is that it may smell a little youthful for some people’s tastes — but if you’re looking to harness the aesthetic of the early 2000s (it’s like Mean Girls and Juicy sweatsuits in perfume form), there’s no better scent than Pink Sugar.

Key Notes: Cotton candy, raspberry, caramel｜Size: 3.4 oz

Best Clean

Snif Crumb Couture

View On Snif.co

We find that gourmand fragrances inspired by baked goods can be remarkably hard to come by, and a smaller subset of those fragrances are actually good — and then even fewer of those are clean. That’s why we’re calling this croissant-inspired fragrance from Snif a new classic. It checks all the boxes, with an elevated aroma of the freshly-baked French pastry enhanced by fresh berries and vanilla. The addition of both sandalwood and tonka keep this scent sophisticated rather than childish.

Bonus: the sleek packaging features a magnetic cap, so it will never pop off when you bring this travel-friendly fragrance with you on your travels. The only downside to Crumb Couture is that it is so popular, it’s often sold out — but the good news is that you can always pre-order it so you can snag it when the brand restocks.

Key Notes: Croissant, wild berry jam, toasted vanilla｜Size: 1 oz

Best Unisex

Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Toilette

View On Nordstrom $130 View On Neiman Marcus $180 View On Diptyqueparis.com

Fans of this fragrance say it smells identical to sitting under a fig tree on a warm summer’s day on the Mediterranean coast — and while we haven’t had the privilege of that experience, we totally believe it.

Bright and green, this crisp scent taps the herbaceous energy of fig leaf with a kiss of sweetness from fig fruit and tempered by the creaminess of a touch of coconut. This all rests on a soft, woody fig tree note. It’s truly wearable by any gender and can be spritzed on in any season.

However, it is an eau de toilette, so it doesn’t have much of a sillage and isn’t the longest-lasting fragrance in our roster. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have it in your fragrance wardrobe — it’s the perfect “let me put on a little somethin’” scent.

Key Notes: Fig leaf, fig, green notes, coconut｜Size: 3.4 oz

Best Soft Floral

Philosophy Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette

View On Nordstrom $29 View On Ulta $64 View On QVC $74

When you want to smell effortlessly clean, fresh, and pretty, reach for a bottle of this classic scent. Sparkling bergamot, delicate lily of the valley, and soft musk create an eau de toilette that smells just like clothing that’s been freshly laundered with high-end detergent.

We spritz it all over our skin, outfit, and hair so we get a whiff every time we move — and when we’re not on the go, we get our Amazing Grace fix via shampoo, body wash, and salt scrub formulas. It’s a lightweight scent and an eau de toilette to boot, so don’t expect the scent to last all day on your skin. We don’t mind as it allows us to touch up throughout the day.

Key Notes: Bergamot, lily of the valley, musk｜Size: 2 oz

Best Woody

Le Labo Santal 33

View On Nordstrom $99 View On Net-a-Porter View On Sobelia.com

This woodsy perfume has surpassed cult-favorite status to scent icon, with an almost indescribable aroma that is all at once comfy, seductive, intoxicating, and effortless. Unexpectedly fresh, green notes of cucumber and cardamom create a bright opening to this scent, which mellows into a woody blend of cedar and sandalwood that’s made richer with buttery leather.

It’s definitely a masterpiece — and a masterpiece never stays a secret for long. Ever since The New York Times sang its praises for being a darling of creative types in 2015, Santal 33 has become omnipresent on people of all walks of life, regardless of gender. Keep that in mind if you’re looking for a super niche scent.

Key Notes: Cedarwood, leather, cardamom｜Size: 1.7 oz

Best Smoky

Tom Ford Ébène Fumé Eau de Parfum

View On Nordstrom $195 View On Sephora $70 View On Neiman Marcus $445

This heady, smoky scent from Tom Ford projects and lasts for hours on end, letting others in your circle know that you have impeccable taste when it comes to fragrance. With notes of incense, palo santo, ebony tree (hence the name, “smoked ebony” en Français), and pepper, the scent is dark, seductive, and spicy, with a subtle touch of sweetness thanks to a surprising rose note.

Some liken the aroma to a church pew while others compare it to a summer bonfire — but wherever it transports you, you’ll likely find the scent meditative and a must have. This may not come as a surprise due to the blend of notes, but this unisex perfume leans masculine. If you’re looking for a hyper-feminine smoky option, this one may not be for you.

Key Notes: Incense, palo santo, guaiac wood｜Size: 1.7 oz

Best Spicy

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540

View On Nordstrom $325 View On Bloomingdales $325 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $325

There’s a reason that this fragrance has surged in popularity on TikTok and beauty retailers’ shelves: “This perfume is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and I have yet to find something else that comes close to how special it is,” gushes Meg Gray, Director of Merchandising at Bluemercury. “It’s warm, spicy and sweet and is one of those fragrances that is great for everyday use, but also feels perfect for a special occasion.”

The unique blend of notes include sweet and spicy saffron, rich jasmine, and funky synthetic ambergris to create an incomparable scent. It’s worth noting that body chemistry plays a big part in how this perfume wears — some people say this smells like strawberries and cotton candy, a spicy butterscotch-y forest, or even a Band-Aid, so be sure to test this one out before committing to a full-sized bottle.

Key Notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedar, ambergris｜Size: 2.4 oz

Best Musk

Juliette Has a Gun Not A Perfume

View On Amazon $145 View On Sephora $30

When we want to be the best-smelling iteration of ourselves without actually smelling like perfume, we spray on this classic from Juliette Has a Gun. The unique fragrance features just one element, Cetalox, which is typically used as a base note to mimic the now-illegal note of ambergris. It’s what you’d call a skin scent — it lies close to the skin to create a subdued, musky aroma that smells like you, just fresh, clean, and classy.

You can even buy this scent in body wash, body lotion, candle, and laundry detergent formats to add it to every aspect of your lifestyle. However, because it’s so subtle, some people actually can’t smell it on themselves, but that’s not to say that others can’t smell it on you! If you can’t identify it once you’ve misted on your skin, ask your friends and family — we’re confident they’ll give you nothing but compliments.

Key Notes: Cetalox｜Size: 3.3 oz

Best Water

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne

View On Nordstrom $24 View On Sephora $30 View On Jomalone.com

This classic, best-smelling perfume is one of Gray’s favorites. “I love that this fragrance is a little different,” she says. “With the top note of ambrette seeds combined with sea salt and sage, this reminds me of a fall day at the beach.” It wears close to the skin to emit a fresh shoreline scent that’s not like a tropical vacation, but closer to time spent on the Atlantic coast.

“What makes this fragrance unique is that it is truly genderless and sophisticated,” adds Gray. This ultra-wearable scent is light and airy not just because of the aroma itself, but the formulation — it’s a cologne, which has one of the lowest concentrations of perfume than any type of wearable scent. That means it doesn’t last very long on the skin. However, we can almost guarantee you’ll look forward to midday touch-ups.

Key Notes: Sea salt, sage, ambrette seeds｜Size: 3.4 oz

Best Rose

Frederic Malle Rose Tonnerre Eau de Parfum

View On Nordstrom $470 View On Fredericmalle.com View On Selfridges.com

In our humble opinions, there are far too many rose scents out there that come across as dusty and overly mature — like an old sachet of dried rosebuds forgotten in the back of an underwear drawer — and not enough that smell like a fresh blossom.

This perfume from Frederic Malle smells just like the real thing, a lush and velvety red rose freshly picked from a garden tilled with organic soil. That’s because there are three rosy notes in here: rose, Turkish rose, and geranium, which does have a rose-like quality to its scent. The slightly “dirty” aspect comes from earthy patchouli and truffle, which amplify the authenticity of this fragrance.

If you’re someone who prefers a sweeter, almost sugared rose perfume, you may not like this one. While you will find honey in the notes, it doesn’t add a caramelized quality, but mellows out the aroma.

Key Notes: Rose, truffle, patchouli｜Size: 1.7 oz

Best Green

Hermès Un Jardin Sur Le Toit Eau de Toilette

View On Nordstrom $116 View On Sephora $85 View On Bergdorfgoodman.com

On days that the air is thick and all you want to do is escape to a country club with a glass of iced tea, transport yourself with this scent from Hermès. It’s crisp, with opening notes of grass and tangy rosemary, which is brightened up with juicy apple and pear to create a refreshing linen blouse of a fragrance. It’s ultra classy and has impressive lasting power for an eau de toilette — an entire work day.

Those who like sharper green scents may be disappointed by this scent, however, as subtle rose and magnolia notes make this fragrance more girlie than other green scents out there.

Key Notes: Grass, rose, red apple｜Size: 1.6 oz