You don’t have to, but plenty of people find a slightly richer, warmer fragrance suits autumn better than the lighter, fresher scent they wore all summer, simply because cooler air and warmer clothing change how a perfume comes across.

Why autumn genuinely calls for a shift

Cooler air slows down evaporation, meaning lighter summer fragrances, especially citrus and aquatic ones, can feel a bit thin or underwhelming once the weather turns. Layers of clothing also change how scent sits and releases through the day, and a fragrance with a bit more depth, spice, amber, or a soft wood, tends to come through more satisfyingly against wool and knitwear than a scent designed to feel weightless on bare summer skin.

You don’t need a whole new bottle

If you love your summer scent, wearing it slightly heavier-handed as the weather cools is a perfectly reasonable middle ground rather than buying something new purely for the season. But if you enjoy the ritual of a seasonal switch, moving towards amber, spice or a warmer woody blend for autumn is a genuinely satisfying change. Our seasonal fragrance guide and complete guide to perfume cover this properly.