4 Scents for Spring
Fragrances that capture the season, without trying too hard.
Every season, when I’m putting together my capsule wardrobes, I also test out a few perfumes to match the mood. Scent is just as much a part of personal style as clothing, and the right fragrance completes a look just as much as the perfect accessory.
I don’t pick perfumes at random. Each one is carefully chosen to suit the theme of the capsule, whether it's minimalist, edgy, elegant, or casual. A crisp floral for a pared-back wardrobe. Something bold and spicy for a more daring aesthetic. A soft, cosy scent for laid-back days. You get the idea.
For spring, I’ve picked four fragrances that fit the season’s fresh, bright energy: a watery lilac, a salted green mango, a sweet jammy rose, and a milky green-floral. Each one brings something different to the table, but all of them capture the feeling of a spring wardrobe in their own way.
Here are my picks for four scents that pair perfectly with a spring wardrobe.
Spring Perfumes
Frédéric Malle En Passant
Top notes: Streamlined lilac, cucumber
Base notes: White-musk, cedar
When I first sprayed Frédéric Malle’s En Passant, I couldn’t shake the thought: baby wipes. Not the most promising start. But the more I wore it, the more I appreciated its soft, fresh, clean floral scent.
This isn’t your typical floral perfume. There’s no overpowering soapy-powdery note. Instead, En Passant offers a delicate, hyperrealistic lilac that’s far more interesting than you'd expect from a light floral.
The balance is beautiful. A crisp cucumber note cuts through the lilac’s sweetness, giving it a dewy, airy quality without watering it down.
It’s a fleeting scent—moderate projection but impressive longevity. Hours later, it lingers as a barely-there skin scent that sticks around longer than you'd expect.
This is a perfume for early spring mornings or lazy summer afternoons. Would I buy a full bottle? Probably not. But the sample was a joy while it lasted.
Strangers Parfumerie Salted Green Mango
Notes: Green mango, orange bitter, petitgrain, lime, bergamot, elemi, pineapple, pomelo, Star gooseberry, Magnolia, Rose damask, green chilli, sandalwood, guava leaf, vetiver, salt accord, seaweed
Fresh, bright, and a little unexpected, Salted Green Mango is made for warm weather. It’s fruity, but not in a sticky, syrupy way. This is green, zesty mango with a mouthwatering hit of salt that keeps it sharp and distinctive.
The salt note is prominent, giving the scent an almost aquatic, briny edge. It’s as if you were holding an unripe mango sprinkled with chili salt. Clean, refreshing, and just bitter enough to stop it from feeling too tropical.
The performance is short-lived, fading into a skin scent within a couple of hours, which isn’t surprising for a fruity, marine-leaning fragrance. But it’s worth it for something this unique and intriguing.
I don’t usually go for fruity perfumes, or anything remotely aquatic, but this one is hard to resist. Bright, uplifting, and easy to wear. A perfect choice for a sweltering summer day.
Matière Première Radical Rose
Notes: Rose, patchouli, saffron, labdanum, pepper
If you’re a rose lover, Matière Première Radical Rose is an absolute treat. It's rich, jammy, and spicy, with an almost edible quality. But, fair warning: if you’re not into roses, this might be a bit too much.
This is a rose in full bloom—not vintage, not soapy—just a fresh, deliciously sweet flower. Despite being a simple scent, it's effective and captivating. A smoky pepper note adds a sultry edge, making it feel bold but not overwhelming.
Performance-wise, Radical Rose impresses. The projection is bold but never too much, and the longevity is even better. Every time I wore it, I got compliments, so it’s safe to say it’s a crowd-pleaser.
I’m absolutely obsessed with this one and would definitely buy a full-size bottle. If you’re after a rose scent that’s fresh, rich, and sophisticated, this is your fragrance.
Zoologist Cow
Top notes: Sage, apple
Heart notes: Milk, lily of the valley, heliotrope, violet, jasmine
Base notes: Cedarwood, vetiver, benzoin, musks, amber
Unlike most Zoologist fragrances, Cow skips the usual animalic weirdness in favour of something much softer, fresher, and easier to wear.
It opens with a crisp, tart apple note—juicy, familiar, and bright—before settling into a sweet, botanical fragrance with a subtle milky undertone. Freshly cut sage and delicate florals give it a soft, pastoral feel, while musk and cedarwood add just enough depth to stop it from being too airy.
Like most green-fruity perfumes, Cow doesn’t have the best longevity. It starts with a burst of freshness but fades into a quiet skin scent fairly quickly. Still, it’s happy, easy going fragrance that works for anyone who loves fresh, green florals.
It's not my favourite Zoologist perfume—I prefer the heady, honeyed Bee or the cosy vanilla cloud of Harvest Mouse—but Cow is a bright, refreshing spring fragrance that's a joy to wear.