15 Summer Fragrances to Switch Up Your Scent This Season

Summer colognes are like shorts: no one needs to wear them, but damn, do they feel good. After a long winter of cozy, warm smells, it’s refreshing to lighten up a bit and air things out.

The secret of summer colognes is that the ingredients should come from summer things: citrus, plants, flowers. There are even colognes with “marine” notes, which is a fancy fragrance-person speak for trying to capture the smell of water. This usually translates into the smell of the beach, which if that’s not summery, I don’t know what is.

The best way to choose a summer scent is to pick something with notes you’re already familiar with or are known for wearing. Chances are, since we’re talking men’s cologne here, those notes are musk, wood, vetiver, or leather. You know, man stuff. Summer colognes will have those same elements, but blend them with lighter fare to make them less heavy and more seasonally appropriate.

Most summer colognes usually fall into a category called Fougère, which basically means fresh. These scents are herbaceous, sharp, and sometimes literally smell green. Think of them as your summer vacation colognes—perfect for when you want a little change of scenery. Added value: they can actually make you feel like you’re outside even when you’re not. But whether you go full-on fougère or just dip your toe in, the best summer colognes all do one thing, allow you to lighten up. Check out the 15 best summer colognes for men to wear this year.