The 9 chic and cosy perfumes we're layering with our jumpers and coats this season
Spanning warming spices and sweet, honeyed accords, these rich scents will keep you smelling warm and cosy
As the cold sets in, we find ourselves longing for heavy knits, crackling log fires and cosy perfumes that will envelop us in comforting notes of cashmere, smoky woods and warming spices.
While there are plenty of chic and timeless blends to be found among the best long-lasting perfumes that lend themselves to every season and occasion, when the 'ber' months arrive, the thing we crave most from our scents is comfort. A cashmere perfume that bottles up the fuzzy softness of the luxe fabric, for instance, or a coffee-like blend that captures the warm, nutty aroma that emanates from a fresh shot of espresso. These so-called cosy fragrances are inviting and span every genre, from smooth gourmands to smoky fireside perfumes.
That said, if you're on the hunt for a new winter perfume and need to narrow things down, our beauty team are no strangers to an atmospheric fragrance that warms the senses with every spritz and makes you want to curl up with a good book. In fact, we have nine we love and always recommend for fellow cosy-seekers.
9 of the cosiest perfumes to wear this season, per our beauty team
RRP: From £176 for 50ml | Notes: ambroxan, jasmine, moss and ambrette seeds absolute
A cult favourite but a relatively new scent in Digital Beauty Writer Naomi Jamieson's collection, Le Labo's Another 13 has been her go-to autumn/winter perfume this year. "Combing musky notes of ambroxan with soft jasmine and spicy ambrette seeds, this fragrance is definitely what I would class as a skin-scent, and it's what I reach for whenever I want to smell soft and cosy or am wearing a chunky knit, which, at the moment, is everyday. It's literally like a warm hug in perfume form, but a very chic one that lends itself to any occasion."
Who should buy it: lovers of musky perfumes seeking something very versatile and soft.
RRP: from £150 for 50ml | Notes: davana, tonka bean, coffee, labdanum, agarwood and sandalwood.
Byredo's Mumbai Noise is Beauty Editor Stephanie Maylor's go-to for a cosy moment. "It’s rich, warm and ambery with a hint of smoky incense," she notes, adding that: "It makes me think of hunkering down with a glass of wine in a cute little pub on a Sunday afternoon."
Who should buy it: Amber perfume lovers who are seeking something with a smoky edge.
RRP: from £105 for 50ml | Notes: orange, ginger, cardamom, rum, tonka bean, cedarwood and cashmeran.
Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett recommends this spicy number from Jo Loves to anyone seeking a wintery signature: "With warm and spicy notes that ooze an element of old money, plus an ever so slightly masculine edge, this fragrance boasts a scent that’s reminiscent of cosying up by a toasty fireplace in autumn - perfect for the colder months ahead."
Who should buy it: Those who favour more gender-neutral perfumes and are seeking something fiery for the winter months.
RRP: from £62 for 30ml | Notes: Clove Oil, pink pepper, orange flower petals, chestnut, gaiic wood oil, vanilla accord and cashmeran.
Ranked among the best REPLICA perfumes, and another wintery favourite of Naomi's Maison Margiela's By The Fireplace in her book, "truly lives up to the name." She adds that, "it somehow manages to capture the warmth and smokiness of a crackling hearth without being too heady or overpowering. Plus, it imparts this beautiful muskiness to the skin that lingers and makes me feel so calm every time I catch a hint of it throughout the day."
Who should buy it: Anyone who loves the smell of a bonfire and favours autumn over summer.
RRP: £79 for 30ml | Notes: pink pepper, angelica seed, orange flower, ylang-ylang, honey floral accord, benzoin, labdanum, olibanum, patchouli, ambroxan, musk, cypriol, vetiver, tobacco accord, cedarwood, heart oakwood, vanilla bean and tonka bean
One of the most anticipated beauty launches of 2026, Merit's new fragrance is definitely a cosy one. It's a favourite of both our Digital Beauty Writers, with Sennen describing it as 'a true minimalist scent,' adding that it's "warm and musky at its core, with notes of amber, pink pepper, vetiver, and cedarwood, making it a truly sensual and powerful blend with endless versatility. Not to mention, it has a slightly sophisticated spicy edge that brings an element of wintry cosiness to it. It especially lends itself well to the colder months and evening time, transporting you to a snug fireside in a countryside pub."
Who should buy it: those, like Sennen, who love a wintry walk that ends in a cosy, fire-lit pub and are looking for a chic scent to match.
RRP: from £97 for 50 ml | Notes: tangerine, neroli, lavender, jasmine sambac, orange blossom, white musks and vanilla extract.
YSL Libre is another scent that Naomi recommends for cravers of cosiness: "Blending sparkling notes of tangerine and lavender with a velvety base of white musks and vanilla, this perfume is the definition of a date-night scent. It's sexy and smooth, and boasts this irresistible warmth that really envelops you."
Who should buy it: Those seeking a warm and sultry evening scent
RRP: £71 for 50ml | Notes: bergamot, white musk and amber
For those seeking a subtle perfume, Naomi also recommends Dedcool's Xtra Milk as a very soft and cosy blend: "I actually really like wearing this at home and even to bed as it's just so musky and almost fluffy. For me, it exists in the same universe as Glossier You, Molecule 01 and even Another 13 (which is probably why I like it so much). It's skin-like and powdery, offering comfort without being overpowering. It's, however, not the most long-lasting blend I've tried, though I think that's quite nice for a 'cosy' sort of scent. Plus, it layers really well with other fragrances."
Who should buy it: those who avoid very heady, heavy perfumes but still want something warm and musky
RRP: from £60 for 30ml | Notes: Pink pepper essence, orange flower petals, patchouli, benzoin, tonka bean absolute, cedarwood, vanilla absolute and vetiver.
Group Beauty Director, Sarah Cooper-White says Whispers In The Library is one of her all-time favourite perfumes but she reserves it for the wintertime as it's 'so cosy.' It offers the perfect blend of spicy and woodiness, with creamy hints of tonka bean and vanilla: "It's amazing! I always feel warm and fuzzy when I wear it!".
Who should buy it: Those who love being tucked under a woollen blanket and favour woody perfumes with a sweet edge.
RRP: from £82 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, pink pepper, blackcurrant, white amber, cedarwood, lime, suede, patchouli and vetiver.
Another Jo Loves scent that is on our radar for cosiness is Amber Lime & Basil, in fact, Senior Beauty Editor, Rhiannon Derbyshire loves to bring this scent out when the winter rolls around. This is thanks to its sparkling opening of bergamot and mandarin, which are then warmed by spicy pink pepper, amber, cedarwood and suede.
Who should buy it: Those who favour woody and citrus blends.
What makes a cosy perfume?
This is a very subjective question as scents, in general, are very personal. One fragrance may evoke emotions and memories in one wearer, that another may not experience - especially if your overall tastes in aromas differ. Thus, your cosy favourite may not have the same warming and comforting effects on someone else, as it does on you.
That said, so-called 'cosy' and warm perfumes do often share a few key notes in common. Woody perfumes, for example, are often attributed with cosiness, as they offer a rich and earthy impression. Smokey blends are also often chalked up as being warm and comforting, as smoke goes hand in hand with fire - and what do we all love to curl up in front of when it's cold out? A crackling fireplace, of course. Spicy notes too, like cardamon and pink pepper, offer a depth and heat that can create an aura of warmth around you.
Some florals can also be deemed comforting, especially ones that boast a powderiness or muskiness to them, like that of iris perfumes and perfumes with jasmine. Many of our beauty team's picks feature woody notes and spice, as well as hints of vanilla and amber, so if you're ever in doubt, we recommend opting for a blend that features a similar lineup - if your goal is a comforting and cosy signature.
