For those who just want to smell soft and clean, these white linen perfumes are like the caress of floaty, freshly laundered fabrics against the skin.
When we think of minimalistic style, linen anything - be it bedding or white shirts and trouser sets - immediately springs to mind. This natural textile just seems to ooze chic, maturity and a sense of put-togetherness, so much so that several long-lasting perfumes have bottled up its crisp and airy feel. There's even a whole sub-genre of fresh perfumes dedicated to replicating and celebrating the powdery freshness of washed linens.
Why? Because it's the sort of scent that is timeless and universally pleasing, few people would turn their nose up at a blend that mimics a clean white shirt. So, if you're looking for an elegant everyday fragrance - that doesn't feel too imposing or heavy - these are the six breezy, linen-esque scents we recommend...
6 lightweight white linen perfumes for a fresh and easy-going signature
While bright floral perfumes and fruity signatures always have their place, sometimes you just want to smell nice but almost anonymous. Similar to when you're throwing together an outfit and want it to feel elevated, but also understated and casual. Simple neutral-coloured linens are usually our go-to for the latter, so why not apply the same premise to your scent?
Below are six blends that are directly inspired by, or reminiscent of, fresh linens and floaty outfits, ideal for the minimalists in our midst or those seeking a sheer, easy-to-wear fragrance this season...
RRP: £75 | Key notes: Damask Rose, jasmine, muguet, violet, orris, vetiver, moss and amber
Perhaps the most iconic white linen scent and likely the one that first springs to mind when thinking of the concept is Estée Lauder White Linen perfume. It blends classic florals like rose and jasmine with fresh, green hints of muguet and vetiver, in a bid to recreate the crispness of laundered sheets, billowing in a breeze, which, of course, it achieves.
Who should buy it: those seeking an easy spring-summer perfume, or a clean and subtle everyday signature
RRP: from £150 for 50ml | Key notes: aldehyde, Rose Centifolia, peony, violet, musks and sandalwood
Byredo's Blanche manages to bottle up the idea and scent of freshly-washed linen clothes. It's soapy and fresh, thanks to its leading notes of aldehyde, peony and Rose Centifolia, with an almost baby-powdery quality to it. It's soft, like a fluffy hotel towel, and there's a delicate warmth, which, when mingled with your natural skin's scent, will deliver that 'just-showered' aroma that many of us crave. To us, Blanche is the flowy white shirt of fragrances and is ideal for those who don't like anything too, well, perfume-y.
Who should buy it: those who love floral, soapy perfumes and want to smell elegant at all times
RRP: from £98 for 50ml | Key notes: white musks, mimosa, blonde woods accord and rice steam accord
Now, this doesn't smell like fresh laundry per se, but would perfectly complement a white linen dress or shirt, thanks to its delicate blend of white musks, mimosa, blonde woods and rice steam accord. The latter really gives this scent an almost vapour-y feel, it's so lightweight, with a hint of powdery floral and musk twirled in there. It's beautifully elegant, airy and even a little bit cosy - like being tucked under a luxe linen bedsheet - and is touted as one of the best Diptyque perfumes.
Who should buy it: anyone seeking endless compliments (we can attest) and a chic, comforting scent that is distinctive but subtle
RRP: £59 for 60ml | Key notes: Asian Pear, clementine, Rain Lily, orchid, blonde woods, skin musk, sandalwood and amber
If you're on the hunt for a truly linen-y scent, the clue is in this one's name. Clean's Fresh Linen's parfum is all sheer white florals and fresh citrus notes - like pear and clementine - which then softens down into a comforting blonde wood and amber base. It's musk, skin-like quality makes this scent feel intimate and warm, like being tucked up in a freshly-made bed.
Who should buy it: those seeking an affordable and delicate scent that is both sheer and cosy.
RRP: from £62 for 30ml | Key notes: Lily Of The Valley, pear, aldehydes, ambrette seeds, iris, rose absolute, orange flower, white musks and patchouli
Another scent that radiates 'white linens' to us is Maison Margiela's Replica perfume: Lazy Sunday. As the name suggests, the blend is designed to smell nostalgic, inspiring memories and thoughts of waking up, wrapped in a chic white duvet with hazy spring-morning sun pouring through the open window. It's aldehydic notes and hint of Lily of the Valley and powdery iris give this fragrance a sheer, delicate quality, while the musk base reminds us of warm skin and soft cotton pjs.
Who should buy it: those who love slow mornings and delicate, non-imposing scents
RRP: £13 for 100ml | Key notes: aldehydes and jasmine
This sort of clean-smelling perfume is a great option for when you're not really in the mood for a punchy, standout signature but still want to smell nice. They're also easy to layer and in case you're searching for a lightweight, versatile option, look no further than The Body Shop's iconic White Musk spray. You can find this in a parfum, but we think this body mist offers just the right amount of floral freshness too. It's musky, bright, and for just £13, it's a bargain too.
Who should buy it: those who love to layer scents or just want an easy, pleasant-smelling spray for day-to-day use
What notes make a perfume smell clean and linen-like?
Many of the fragrances above (most of which were inspired by fresh linens) have notes in common, from powdery florals like iris and rose, to cosy blonde woods and musks.
Aldehydes are a key note to look for when seeking out a very fresh, palate cleanser-like scent, as they afford a very soapy and sometimes metallic quality to perfumes. Byredo's Blanche and Maison Margiela's Lazy Sunday perfume, both of which are famous for their fresh, laundry-like appeal, feature aldehydes in their formulas.
White musk and florals - like lily and jasmine - can also deliver that soft, crispness we often attribute to white linens and other clothing fabrics - likely because they're also a frequently used scent in laundry detergents and soaps.
