Choosing the best perfume is a very personal matter. While some may prefer warm, woody scents, others may want a floral fragrance or a fruity perfume. However, there’s one fragrance family that everyone seems to love, and I like to think of myself as an expert in the matter. Yes, I’m talking about those clean-smelling perfumes that make you smell as if you’ve just stepped out of the shower.
As someone who loves a soft, delicate, lightweight scent as much as the next person, I’ve tried plenty of these clean-girl fragrances and have spoken to various experts over the years to understand what notes to look out for when it comes to choosing a light and breezy scent. While some of these fresh fragrances work better for the winter months, there is a handful of clean-smelling perfumes that I reserve for the warmer weather due to their soft, airy nature. I like to refer to these as linen perfumes.
Spritzing a linen perfume feels just as refreshing as slipping on a cool linen shirt after a day at the beach. Don’t be fooled, though, as these clean, lightweight fragrances are still undeniably elegant. They are just as timeless as your summer wardrobe staples and are bound to be with you for many years to come. If this sounds like your kind of thing, then keep on scrolling for my favourite linen perfumes of all time…
The Best Linen Perfumes
1. Maison Margiela Lazy Sunday Morning
Maison Margiela
Lazy Sunday Morning Eau De Toilette
Key notes: Lily of the valley, white musk, iris, ambrette seeds
First up is an absolute classic. This fragrance from Maison Margiela is loved for its fresh, comforting, linen-like scent. If you were to ask me to describe this perfume, I would say it’s like waking up on a sunny Sunday morning in crisp, white, freshly washed sheets with nowhere to be for the entire day. It’s an eau de toilette rather than an eau de parfum, which means it contains a lower concentration of fragrance oils, so it’s a lot lighter and fresher on the skin. Sure, it might not last as long, but who cares about having to top up their fragrance when it smells this good? Notes of lily of the valley mingle with comforting white musks for the ultimate clean-girl scent.
2. Loewe 001 Woman
Loewe
001 Woman Eau De Toilette
Key notes: Sicilian lemon, bergamot, peony, linen chord, jasmine, sandalwood, musk
Next up is a luxury favourite of mine. Loewe has so many stylish scents, but this particular fragrance is like slipping on a designer linen shirt on a hot summer’s day. It’s another eau de toilette, so it feels light and crisp on the skin. It opens with hints of mandarin and bergamot, but these citrus notes are beautifully balanced by florals such as peony and jasmine. A base of musk gives it that warm, comforting aroma, while a bespoke, clean linen accord makes this the ultimate choice for the warmer months.
3. The Body Shop White Musk
The Body Shop
White Musk® Eau De Toilette
Key notes: Clean aldehydes, lily of the valley, jasmine, white musk
A good perfume doesn’t have to break the bank. Case in point: this fresh, breezy, affordable fragrance from The Body Shop. This is one of the brand’s most iconic scents, and for good reason. It has all the makings of a clean-smelling perfume, with notes of lily of the valley, jasmine and white musk. However, it’s the addition of aldehydes that gives the fragrance a soapy quality that reminds me of white linen trousers floating in the breeze on the washing line outside.
4. Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle
Acne Studios par Frederic Malle
Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Aldehydes, rose, violet, sandalwood, peach, white musk
I didn’t think I could ever justify spending £290 on a fragrance until I got my hands on this particular scent. A collaboration between French perfume house Frédéric Malle and Stockholm-based fashion house Acne Studios, this is the ultimate it-girl perfume. Similar to the fragrance above, it also contains notes of fresh aldehydes, but these notes are enhanced by delicate florals, sweet peach and creamy sandalwood. If you asked me to close my eyes and describe this fragrance as an item of clothing, I would picture an oversized cream linen blazer perched on the shoulders of the coolest person around.
5. Philosophy Pure Grace
Philosophy
Pure Grace Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Waterlily, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, musk
I love wearing linen in the summer because it’s so breezy and light, and that’s exactly how I would describe this scent from Philosophy. One spritz of this is like diving into fresh linen sheets after a long day at work. Opening notes of waterlily give it a calm, aquatic feel, while sparkling bergamot adds a zesty, refreshing touch. However, lavender and musk ground this scent and create a comforting, enveloping aroma that you want to wrap yourself in and never take off.
6. Fenty Fragrance Parfum Hair + Body Mist
Fenty Fragrance
Parfum Hair + Body Mist
Key notes: Musk, magnolia, rose
If you’ve smelled Fenty’s original fragrance, then you might be surprised to see this one on the list. However, the newest scent from the brand is a softer take on the bestselling scent. This delicate hair and body mist is fresh, clean, warm and spicy all at once. It’s like reaching for your lover’s favourite linen shirt when you’ve forgotten what they smell like. It’s the kind of fragrance you want to nuzzle your nose into again and again. Rihanna, you’ve outdone yourself on this one.
7. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Aqua Universalis Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Bergamot, white flowers, musk
As the name suggests, this is a universal fragrance that will become a staple in your collection, like those white linen trousers that you bring out every summer. It’s fresh, breezy and light, yet it manages to settle on the skin in a luxurious way that many clean-girl scents are unable to do. I can’t imagine anyone not liking this fragrance, and I know that I will have it on rotation for many years to come.
8. Byredo Mojave Ghost Alcohol-Free
Byredo
Mojave Ghost Alcohol-Free
Key notes: Ambrette, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, amber, cedarwood, musk
If you’re a fan of Byredo’s Mojave Ghost scent but are looking for something a bit more lightweight, then you will love this. The alcohol-free version is a delicate iteration of the popular fragrance and is great for those with sensitive skin. It’s a fresh scent at the heart, but it has a beautifully warm aroma thanks to notes of sandalwood, cedarwood and musk. Spritzing this feels like slipping on a linen robe after that post-beach shower while on holiday.
9. Guerlain Les Matières Confidentielles Eau de Coton
Guerlain
Les Matières Confidentielles Eau de Coton Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Almond, orange blossom, musk
Last but by no means least, let me introduce you to Eau de Coton by Guerlain. This is a unique scent that has been designed to be misted over the skin or household linens for a soft, comforting and enveloping effect. The tender fragrance features notes of almond and orange blossom, but the overarching scent of musk is what makes it so delicately intoxicating. If I could bathe in it, I would.