The best scents for spring, as selected by the MR PORTER team.

…And breathe. Springtime isn’t so far away now. Essential oils from freshly zested citrus; morning dew on an uncut lawn; clear, clean, salt-tinged sea air. Sure, it all sounds a little idealised (and possibly a little premature), but the arrival of the new season will herald a return to a lighter, fresher palette of fragrances that take their cue from the awakening world around us. And, with the lighter mood comes the opportunity to retire all those woody, smoky, leathery scents back into the wintry box from whence they came (unless your name is Mr Ashley Clarke – see below). But for the rest of us: rejoice! Hibernation is almost over.

My grandpa George died when I was eight, the first bereavement I experienced. I don’t remember all that much about him sadly, but I do recall that he always wore a cedar wood aftershave. The fragrance lingered in his bathroom cabinet and in the suits in his wardrobe after he had gone. Smell is perhaps the most evocative of all our senses. Whenever I catch a whiff of cedar wood I think of Grandpa. I recently bought a travel-size vial of this Byredo cologne and have decided to go for the full bottle as a spring-fresh addition to my fragrance selection. Plus, I’m a sucker for a good pun and Super Cedar is a good pun. I think Grandpa would have enjoyed it, too.

As with many of my style choices, I’ve found myself being a faithful devotee of a single fragrance brand for many years. Commes des Garçons Parfums 2 Man is my go-to daily scent. I’ve always though Comme des Garçons produce fragrances that are understated, but with a real depth and versatility which makes them appear to adapt to each person. This latest Amazinggreen scent has the rich, deep undertones I’m used to – but with added, lighter exotic elements. It will be a really nice new addition to my washbag for spring.

At the risk of sounding like Ms Shelley von Strunckel, the astrologer-extraordinaire, spring is a time of change. You change your coat, possibly your sweater, and quite likely your haircut. But it is also worth paying some mind to changing the way you smell. The fragrance you wear ought to, ideally, keep pace with the season. For instance, you might want to smell like an oudy tea chest in winter but come spring and summer it is wiser and nicer to spritz yourself with something a little more brassy, maybe a little wanton. And no more playful do they come than Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino Eau De Parfum, which is rich in bergamot, neroli and lemon.

That punchy leathery eau du parfum that warmed my spirits in winter seems too high-impact for use in spring. I’m after a scent that’s lighter, cooler and generally subtler, so I’ll be investing in Haeckels’ new GPS 26’ 3”E fragrance. It’s named after the precise geographical location of where it’s ingredients were picked (Margate), and evokes it’s blustering coastline through notes of fresh citrus and green florals. Its zesty opening makes quite a statement, but its base note of warm bergamot comes to the fore over time making it a versatile all-rounder.

This fragrance from The Perfumer’s Story by Azzi Glasser might not have the sexiest title, granted, but it appeals to my inner bibliomaniac, which is apparently dictating my fragrance choice this spring. Old Books is made from a heady mix of frankincense, olibanum, and myrrh to evoke “the memory of picking up that old book in grandma’s attic and watching it fall apart”, and while I can’t say that’s exactly what I had in mind, I do find the concept (and the scent) quite enchanting. I’m hoping that, rather than casting me as a fusty librarian, a spritz of this will give me an air of Byronesque charm.

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