From ‘F**k Boy’ To Algae: 6 Niche Summer Fragrances To Stand Out From The Crowd

In summer, fragrances bloom. The heat exaggerates notes — which is why refreshing citrus-based fragrances are so popular.

Those looking for an easy option may go for the classics: Acqua di Parma, L’Eau D’Issey, Tom Ford blue bottles, Acqua di Gio, Spicebomb, Terre d’Hermes, or anything that smells like they’ve gotten lost on the ground floor of Myer. Then there’s those of us who want to smell like something less… generic.

Beat the Erémia accusations by adopting any of these six niche (citrus-free) summer fragrances to stand out from the sweaty crowd.

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Seahorse by Zoologist (Fresh Marine)

From the unique house of Zoologist comes one of their more wearable fragrances.

Unlike some aquatics which lean towards sunscreen, citrus, or neroli, this has been described as a true “salty cucumber” marine. Its cooling opening of fennel and ambrette dry down to a savoury floral mix of neroli, tuberose, and clary sage, with ambergris and yes, algae, seeping through.

Smells like: Fennel, Cardamom, Ambrette, Tuberose, Clary Sage, Neroli, Algae, Ambergris, Vetiver
Sounds like: ‘Aquamarine‘ by Lone
Feels like: Snorkelling on a private beach

Zero by Comme Des Garçons (Polished Wood)

One of their lesser-hyped fragrances, Zero stands apart from Wonderwood, Amazinggreen, and Concrete with an intoxicating hard-to-pin-down-exactly-what fresh woody fragrance.

Having been likened to Le Labo’s Another 13, Glossier You, and Lalique’s Encre Noir, its polarising varnish opening dries down to a green, vegetal scent, settling to a warm cedar.

Smells like: Bergamot, Varnish, Rose Oxide, Vetiver, Cedar, Cashmere, Musk
Sounds like: ‘Moth‘ by Burial & Four Tet
Feels like: Sitting on the hardwood floor of a modern art gallery

Fuck Boy by Perdrisât (Salty & Fruity)

Silly season’s in full swing and you’re looking for something a bit riskier. Enter Fuck Boy: he’s late, he leaves early, you barely see him, but everyone’s talking about him.

Despite spending the day indulging in piña coladas and other substances, the sweet-talking cad is cool, calm, and enigmatic. This fragrance isn’t overly sweet, loud, or obnoxious, and wears well on anyone looking to have a bit of fun in the sun.

Smells like: Cocaine, Sea Salt, Pineapple, Musk, Coconut Milk, Solar Notes
Sounds like: ‘Perfect (Exceeder)‘ by Mason & Princess Superstar
Feels like: Dusk at a Malibu pool party

Geranium Pour Monsieur by Frederic Malle (Minty Aromatic)

Like plunging head-first into a water basin in the morning, this intriguing contradiction of mint and spice takes a while to develop into an elegant but exuberant skin scent.

Inspired by traditional 1920s gentlemen’s products (using geranium-clove scents), GPM is a modern classic. This icy mint opening is accompanied by a blooming geranium, drying down to a woodsy clove.

Smells like: Mint, Geranium, Star Anise, Clove, Cinnamon, Musk, Sandalwood, Incense, Styrax, Benzoin
Sounds like: The Grand Budapest Hotel soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat
Feels like: Off to the races, freshly shaven, Pimm’s in hand

Antiheros by Etat Libre D’Orange (Musky Floral)

Florals like lavender are synonymous with barber-shop fragrances like JPG’s Le Male flankers, but Antiheros presents a soapless lavender with a more animalic musk base.

Almost a photorealistic grassy lavender dries down to a musky wood to reveal something ultra-cool, ultra-clean, and ultra-masculine.

Smells like: Lavender, Cedar, Musk, Woody Notes
Sounds like: ‘Belong in the Sun‘ by Téo, Lido
Feels like: Hiking through a lavender field

1899: Hemingway by Histoires de Parfums (Green Vanilla)

We typically associate spices and vanillas with the colder months, but like the contradictory eponymous writer, Hemingway is green enough to wear in summer.

An overall impression of vanilla dries down to a skin layer of evergreen spices and tobacco.

Smells like: Juniper, Black Pepper, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Iris, Orange Blossom, Vanilla, Amber, Vetiver
Sounds like: Music for Films by Brian Eno
Feels like: Pencilling your novel in your Summer house