7 of the best scents to wear this spring, according to professional perfumers

Gourmands aren't going anywhere this spring.

Although gourmands tend to be extra popular around the holidays, perfumers are stretching the category well into spring, according to Alexis Grugeon, a Paris-based perfumer at Givaudan.

Grugeon believes that fruit-and-gourmand scents — like Burberry Her Elixir de Parfum, an ambery, fruit-forward fragrance with notes of strawberry, blackberry, and vanilla — could be big.

Meanwhile, Bryson Ammons, New York City-based perfumer and founder of The Alloy Studio, predicts the gourmand category will skew a bit more vegetal and even savory.

Rather than leaning on obvious dessert notes like chocolate or coffee, perfumers are experimenting with compositions that feel closer to "food that you see in everyday life," said Ammons.

Case in point: Pho Breakfast by d'Annam, a fragrance heavily inspired by a comforting bowl of pho. Spicy and woodsy, it contains notes of cardamom, cedarwood, fresh basil, and star anise.

Salt-forward fragrances will also enter the zeitgeist.

Salt for spring? It might not be as out there as you'd expect.

Although musky, rice-inspired scents dominated winter, perfumer and founder of Scent Social Club Asia Grant would love to see more salt-forward, "beach-like" fragrances in the warmer months.

Salty undernotes can also help counteract and balance sweeter ingredients like caramel and vanilla, providing a bit more interest and depth.

A few of her favorite fragrances with salty notes are LORE's Sublimity Eau de Parfum and Glossier You Fleur.

Transparent florals are always a must for spring.

As springtime flowers begin to bud, let your perfume cabinet bloom in tandem with transparent florals. This fragrance category includes white flowers like jasmine, gardenia, and lily of the valley, which all offer an airy, uplifting scent.

One of Grugeon's favorite spring scents is Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum. Floral and a bit fruity, this delectable scent features notes of white gardenia, jasmine, pear, and brown sugar.

In the same vein, add some warmth with solar florals.

Toward the tail end of spring, match the warmer temps and prepare for summer with sunny florals.

Solar florals — which are florals that emanate heat and warmth, like orange blossom — will be very in vogue this spring, predicts Grant.

One of her go-to scents is Ormaie Paris' 28°, a warm perfume reminiscent of sun-kissed skin that includes notes of jasmine sambac, tuberose, orange blossom, and vanilla.

Look for green notes.

Green, fruit-tinged scents are also on Grugeon's radar for spring. This spring, "green" won't just mean grassy; it'll skew crisp and slightly tart, with notes like barely-ripe banana, watermelon rind, and violet leaf.

One scent that he likes is Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle L'Elixir de Parfum, a warm floral fragrance anchored by sparkling raspberry and violet leaf notes.

Expect more perfumes to play in that in-between space: not fully fruit, not fully floral, but still undeniably fresh and alive.

If you prefer a fruitier scent, opt for one with stone fruits.

Stone fruits, including apricots, peaches, and plums, will also gain traction in spring and summer, said Grugeon.

Unlike sugary peach perfumes that may have been popular a few years ago, however, 2026's take will likely be softer and fresher, with many fragrances also incorporating those greener notes.

Finally, you can never go wrong with a clean, fresh fragrance.

Breezy, laundry-like scents are usually a no-brainer for spring. However, if you'd like to switch things up a bit, Ammons recommends opting for a clean fragrance with a rosy profile.

He likes Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle Eau de Parfum, a vibrant scent with notes of rose, violet, vanilla, and sandalwood.

"I feel like it's perfect for spring because it smells like laundry, but sweet, rosy laundry," he said.