11 Fig Scents That Capture the Fresh Air, Gentle Breeze, and Sun-Kissed Skies of a Mediterranean Summer

      Fig fragrances are officially the trendiest scents of 2026 (at least so far). What are my sources, you may wonder? Great question. Firstly, the fashion community has incorporated these rich, captivating elixirs into their well-curated scent collections (including Who What Wear editors). Secondly, several leading beauty brands have launched fig fragrances recently, such as Tom Ford, YSL, and Marc Jacobs. Lastly, beauty editors have secretly shared their admiration for these new favorites, seeking to keep them under wraps, if only temporarily.

      According to Octavia Morgan, Fragrance Expert and Founder of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles, the fig is deeply embedded in Mediterranean culture, symbolizing abundance, sensuality, and the sun-kissed summertime. Interestingly, fig fragrances are relatively new. "Unlike rose or jasmine, fig doesn’t yield a natural essential oil, so it’s an engineered accord designed to replicate the essence of the entire fig tree—its leaves, fruit, wood, and atmosphere," she explains. "It gained popularity during the 1990s niche fragrance movement as perfumers began crafting more 'realistic, atmospheric' scents. Today, fig has transitioned from niche to 'modern luxury.'"

      Morgan believes there are two main reasons fig fragrances are currently so relevant: their versatility and their unique scent profiles. "Fig is one of the most multi-faceted notes in perfumery. It doesn't smell like just one thing; it encapsulates an entire ambiance. At its heart, fig combines green freshness (leaf, stem, sap), creamy softness (almost like coconut), and subtle sweetness (fruit, but not overly sugary). This contrast is what distinguishes fig; it exists between fresh and warm, vegetal and gourmand, which is uncommon in fragrance. In contemporary perfumery, many fig scents actually merge both, creating that trademark 'green + creamy' duality." Thus, fig can serve as a top note, heart note, or base note, depending on which aspect of the fig the fragrance aims to capture, along with the accompanying notes.

      Because of this quality, fig fragrances can be perceived as "fresh and elevated" with citrus and herbal components, "floral and refined" with jasmine, rose, and neroli, "woody and grounded" with sandalwood and vetiver, or "creamy and captivating" with coconut and tonka bean. Regardless, they maintain an atmospheric quality, whisking you away to a dreamy setting, in this case, a Mediterranean summer. Morgan describes them as feeling "personal, soft, and close to the skin," while also being "transportative" and evoking "warm sun on the skin."

      As if that's not sufficient reason to build a collection of fig fragrances, Morgan notes that this scent category is less sugary and more refined compared to other traditional fruit scents. "Fig is not excessively sweet," she asserts, "It feels mature, clean, and sophisticated. [It embodies] 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

      Diptyque's Philosykos Eau de Parfum has held a prominent place on my vanity for years and is truly one of my most cherished fragrances, paying tribute to the fig tree as a whole. (Philosykos translates to "friend of the fig tree" in Greek). Therefore, the fruit isn’t the sole focus. Instead, you'll notice the crispness of fig leaves, the jam-like scent of fig sap, and "the aroma of bark warmed by the midday sun." Finally, there's a hint of the figs themselves. It's fresh, grounding, and reminiscent of a "memory of a Greek summer at Mount Pelion, where crossing a natural grove of wild sun-drenched fig trees was part of reaching the sea." This scent transports me there every time I wear it.

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

      Jo Malone is known for its fresh, floral fragrances, and this fig-inspired scent is no exception. Although it's based on fig, it lacks a fruity character. Instead, it highlights the herbal sharpness of fig leaves, the aquatic notes of lotus flower, and the grassy undertones of vetiver. It's "delicate" and "water-splashed," making it the ideal fig fragrance for those who