When it comes to fragrance, many of us know what we like and, even more vehemently, what we don’t. Within all the perfume categories—woody, fruity, fresh, spicy, floral—the latter might be the most controversial and misunderstood. After all, flashbacks to grandma’s lace-trimmed sacks of potpourri or powdery bottles of rose or gardenia are hard to erase from a scarred memory. However, if done right, nothing is chicer or more sophisticated than a truly exquisite floral fragrance, and certain flowery blends have become top-selling favorites at beloved retailers like Nordstrom and Net-a-Porter. Curious to see what your fellow fragrance enthusiasts are loving within the floral perfume pool? We rounded up 16 of the most covetable bottles you can buy at the aforementioned stores. From classics like Chanel Nº5 to newer debuts from brands like Byredo, this crop of best-of-the-best floral scents is bound to turn you into a blossom lover through and through (if you weren’t one already). Keep scrolling!
We don’t typically think of floral perfumes as particularly unisex, but this fan-favorite scent from Diptyque is lauded by the brand as the perfect compromise. Geranium is the main power player here (as the name would suggest), but the additions of cardamom, tonka bean, and vetiver keep it down to earth and far from fussy.
Fun fact: This classic floral perfume was the first fragrance debuted by the American designer. Unlike so many of its designer counterparts, this scent has withstood the test of time and is still one of the highest-rated bottles among Nordstrom shoppers. The flowery scents of peony and tuberose pair with crisper notes from citrusy grapefruit and neroli plus a hit of vetiver and sandalwood for some earthiness.
Described by the brand as “a symbol of wisdom and truth,” this floral fragrance belongs to Armani’s Privé Collection and is said to be a tribute and celebration of India and Italy. For Bleu Lazuli, think woodsy notes mixed with honeyed tobacco.
Regardless of whether you’re looking for one of the best floral perfumes with the most cult of followings or simply want to embody Charlize Theron 24/7 (the actress has been the face of the scent since its launch in 1999), Dior’s classic perfume, J’Adore, fits the bill. Blood orange, rose, and neroli envelop you instantly.
Yes, this floral fragrance is an investment, but it’s also one of the most luxurious of scents that will last throughout the rest of the season and right into spring. Steeped in the stunning scent of jasmine, this beloved scent also features bitter orange, neroli, orange blossom, sandalwood, amber, musk, and vanilla.
“I wanted to express the essence of femininity with flowers, nothing but flowers,” explains longtime Hermès perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. So which flowers exactly does Jour d’Hermès house? Gardenia, rose, tuberose, and jasmine.
If you typically favor fruity scents but are curious to dip your toe into the world of florals, consider this best-selling perfume from Diptyque. It’s a daydream-worthy mix of rose, black currant berries, and petitgrain. Put simply, it’s pretty but not precious.
Fact: No floral perfume roundup (or any perfume roundup for that matter) would be complete without Chanel Nº5. Even though the covetable scent has been around since 1921, it hasn’t lost an ounce of its luster. Since perfumer Jacques Polge revamped Ernest Beaux’s blend in 1986, Nº5 blooms with a robust blend of may rose, jasmine, and a touch of bourbon vanilla to keep it from veering overly flowery.
Flowerhead is another no-brainer if you love a perfume rich in florals. That said, this isn’t your grandma’s powdery mix of rose or gardenia. Instead, a spritz of this massive hit invites the scent of Angelica seeds, lingonberry, Sicilian lemon, tuberose, rose petals, wild jasmine sambac, and fresh amber and suede to round out the fuller base.
A floral confection from the hands of renowned perfumer Frederic Malle, this perfume is a cult favorite for a reason. It strikes the perfect balance between rose and patchouli to create a spicy, sensual scent.
Byredo has yet to debut a fragrance that hasn’t become an instant hit. One such scent? This stunning rosy blend called Rose of No Man’s Land. Of course, that namesake flower is at the heart of the perfume’s olfactory magic, but the name also has another unique meaning. According to the brand, Rose of No Man’s Land is the nickname given by soldiers to the nurses who saved thousands of lives during WWI. (Thus, they say the scent is a tribute to selflessness and compassion.) . Alongside the lush smell of Turkish rose petals, you’ll also get whiffs of pink pepper, raspberry blossom, papyrus, and white amber. So divine.
Evocative of those in-between moments of sunset and evening, A Kiss from Violet is a rich perfume brimming with notes of luxe iris and musk. Leave it to Gucci to give us one of the best perfect floral fragrances we’ve ever laid nose on.
How’s this for an amazing floral lineup? Blue chamomile from Morocco, rose from Bulgaria, oud from Laos, and vanilla, patchouli, and violet. This bottle from Maison Francis Kurkdjian is the perfect compromise between sweet, elegant, and earthy woods.
Jo Malone has a very loyal following, and the brand’s roster of scents is impressive. Like Byredo, it’s hard to smell a miss within the collection. That said, this mysterious scent is a clear winner. Black cardamom, orchid, water lily, and Kyara wood (a rare wood prized in Japan) make this fragrance unique.
Yes, apparently Net-a-Porter shoppers really love their Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances, but if you smelled this vixenish scent, you wouldn’t have any trouble understanding why. Enter the designer’s compelling mix of jasmine, saffron, cedar, and fir resin.
Last but certainly not least comes this chic bottle of floral magic from Byredo. More fresh-smelling than any of the above options, this perfume yields notes of lemon, mandarin, jasmine, neroli, and musks.
This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated.
