11 Fig Scents That Capture the Fresh Air, Gentle Breeze, and Sun-Drenched Skies of Mediterranean Summers

      Fig fragrances have officially claimed the title of the trendiest scents of 2026 (at least for now). What’s the evidence, you ask? Great question. To start, the fashion community has incorporated these lush, captivating scents into their carefully curated fragrance collections (including the Who What Wear editors). Additionally, several leading beauty brands have launched fig fragrances lately, with names like Tom Ford, YSL, and Marc Jacobs at the forefront. Lastly, beauty editors have been quietly recommending them, wishing to keep their newfound favorites under wraps for a brief moment.

      As Octavia Morgan, Fragrance Expert & Founder of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles, explains, figs have deep roots in the Mediterranean, where they represent abundance, sensuality, and the sun-drenched summer. Interestingly, fig fragrances are relatively new to the scene. "Unlike rose or jasmine, fig doesn’t naturally yield an essential oil, so it’s a crafted accord designed to emulate the full essence of the fig tree—its leaves, fruit, wood, and surrounding air," she notes. "It gained popularity during the niche fragrance movement of the 1990s, when perfumers began crafting more 'realistic, atmospheric' scents. Today, she asserts, fig has transitioned from niche to 'modern luxury.'"

      Morgan suggests two reasons for the current relevance of fig fragrances: their versatile nature and atmospheric scent profiles. "Fig is among the most multi-dimensional notes in perfumery. It doesn’t present as a singular aroma; instead, it encapsulates an entire environment. At its core, fig weaves together green freshness (leaf, stem, sap), creamy softness (almost reminiscent of coconut), and mild sweetness (fruit, but not overly sugary). This interplay makes fig unique; it balances between fresh and warm, vegetal and gourmand, which is a rarity in fragrance. In contemporary perfumery, many fig scents actually merge both, achieving that characteristic 'green + creamy' contrast." Therefore, fig can function as a top note, heart note, or base note, depending on which aspect of the fig the fragrance aims to evoke and the other fragrance notes it is paired with.

      Consequently, fig fragrances can be "fresh and elevated" with citrus and herb elements, "floral and refined" with jasmine, rose, and neroli, "woodsy and rooted" with sandalwood and vetiver, or "creamy and irresistible" with coconut and tonka bean. Regardless of the direction, they are consistently atmospheric, transporting you to an imagined time and place—specifically, a Mediterranean summer. Morgan describes them as feeling "personal, soft, and intimate," while also being "transportive" and reminiscent of "the warm sun on the skin."

      If you need more justification for assembling a selection of fig fragrances, Morgan points out that this category is less sweet and possesses a greater sophistication than other, traditional fruit notes. "Fig isn’t excessively sugary," she remarks, "It feels mature, clean, and refined. [It’s] a blend of nature and luxury."

      **Top Picks**

      - **Best Overall:** Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum

      - **Best Fresh Scent:** Jo Malone London Fig & Lotus Flower Cologne

      - **Best Citrus Scent:** Tom Ford Figue Érotique Eau de Parfum

      - **Best "Green" Scent:** D.S. & Durga Debaser Eau de Parfum

      - **Best Woody Scent:** Boy Smells Woodphoria Eau de Parfum

      - **Best Floral Scent:** Yves Saint Laurent Lavallière Eau De Parfum

      - **Editor-Favorite Scent:** Phlur Father Figure Eau de Parfum

      **Best Overall: Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum**

      Fragrance notes: Fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood, black pepper

      Philosykos Eau de Parfum from Diptyque has been one of my cherished fragrances for years, embodying an ode to the fig tree as a whole. (Philosykos means "friend of the fig tree" in Greek). As a result, the fruit isn’t the sole focus. Instead, it highlights the sharpness of fig leaves, the jammy aroma of fig sap, and "the scent of bark warming under the midday sun." Finally, there’s a hint of the milky essence of the figs. It’s fresh, grounding, and reminiscent of "a Greek summer at Mount Pelion, where one crossed a wild grove of sun-drenched fig trees to reach the sea." I’m transported there each time I use it.

      **Best Fresh Scent: Jo Malone London Fig & Lotus Flower Cologne**

      Fragrance notes: Fig leaf, lotus flower, vetiver

      Jo Malone specializes in fresh, floral scents, and this fig-inspired fragrance is no exception. While inspired by fig, it avoids a fruity profile, instead featuring the herbal sharpness of fig leaves, aquatic