It’s True: This Underrated Scent Is the Secret to Always Smelling Sophisticated

When it comes to fragrance, we like what we like. Right? Those of us who veer toward the smoky, leathery, and woody will pick things like Byredo’s De Los Santos and Maya Njie’s Tobak in a heartbeat. For those loyal to warm, solar scents, Diptyque’s Ilio, Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Portofino ’97, and the infallible Bronze Goddess by Estée Lauder will win top spots.

I know how hard it is to inch out of our comfort zones, especially when it has to do with something as emotional and visceral as the perfumes we wear. Well, allow me to introduce you to something new. It’s something that’ll satisfy the people who like fresh, bright, summery perfumes as well as those who prefer more unusual, unisex fragrances—lime.

“Citrus gives an effervescent effect in the top-note section of a perfume,” says David Seth Moltz, co-founder of cult fragrance brand D.S. & Durga. “Since lime also smells green (think plants, herbs, moss, and grass), it’s the perfect top note to announce other green notes.”

The first time I tried a lime fragrance, I kicked myself for not doing so sooner. It was the freshness I craved to cut through the summer mugginess with enough kick and personality to feel like I wasn’t wearing the same thing as everyone else. It was something of a scent revelation. Here are the zingy ones worth your time, broken down into what makes them special.

The Best Lime Fragrances, Listed:

1. Skylar Lime Sands Eau de Parfum
2. Creed Virgin Island Water Eau de Parfum
3. Tom Ford Azure Lime Eau de Parfum
4. Beauty Pie Brazilian Lime, Fig Leaves & Tea Eau de Parfum
5. Jo Loves Mango Thai Lime
6. Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne
7. Atelier Cologne Pacific Lime Cologne
8. D.S. & Durga Bistro Waters Eau de Parfum
9. Goldfield & Banks Bohemian Lime Pure Perfume Concentrate
10. Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees Eau de Toilette
11. Commodity Gin Eau de Parfum

1. Skylar Lime Sands Eau de Parfum

2. Creed Virgin Island Water Eau de Parfum

3. Tom Ford Azure Lime Eau de Parfum

4. Beauty Pie Brazilian Lime, Fig Leaves & Tea Eau de Parfum

5. Jo Loves Mango Thai Lime

6. Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne

7. Atelier Cologne Pacific Lime Cologne

8. D.S. & Durga Bistro Waters Eau de Parfum

9. Goldfield & Banks Bohemian Lime Pure Perfume Concentrate

10. Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees Eau de Toilette

11. Commodity Gin

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.