If you aim to have the scent of an It Girl in 2026, you should be aware of this perfume.

      I am a huge admirer of a fragrance wardrobe. I enjoy changing my scent based on my mood and love the process of getting ready and selecting from my collection of top perfumes. Some days, I opt for a gourmand fragrance, while other days, I prefer a musky, woody aroma. Regardless of whether I'm feeling cheerful or down, if it's sunny or rainy, or if I'm dressed up or in sweatpants, there’s one fragrance note that I consistently lean towards: orange.

      As you will find in my compilation of the best orange perfumes below, this note is remarkably versatile. Naturally, it carries that zestiness we all expect, but its qualities can shift based on the accompanying notes. After testing numerous citrus scents over the years, I've learned that all orange perfumes possess a unique It-girl appeal that attracts compliments like no other. Before diving into that, I spoke with a fragrance expert to gain insight into one of my favorite scents.

      "What Do Orange Perfumes Smell Like?" "Orange can be interpreted in many different ways, which is why we love working with it," says Chriselle Lim, founder of the trendy fragrance brand Phlur. "Mandarin is juicy and vibrant, while orange blossom is more delicate and floral. Depending on what you combine it with, it can feel fresh and sparkling or warm and sensual."

      Why Are Orange Perfumes Popular? So, why do I find myself drawn to this scent? "I believe people are looking for fragrances that quickly elevate their mood, and orange achieves that effortlessly," Lim explains. "It's bright, optimistic, and joyful without being overly sweet."

      Can Orange Perfumes Work All Year Round? While many might think that orange is best suited for summer, this note is incredibly adaptable. "In summer, orange is bright, juicy, and refreshing, but when paired with woods, vanilla, or amber, it suddenly becomes cozy enough for fall and winter too," Lim shares. If you're interested in trying an orange perfume after hearing this, keep scrolling for my top recommendations that exude It-girl energy.

      The Best Orange Perfumes, Tried & Tested:

      1. Best Overall: Beauty Pie Orange Absolute Intense, £35

       - Key notes: Lemon, clementine, orange and tangerine essential oils, rose, sandalwood, jasmine, tonka bean. For a true orange scent, you can't go wrong with Beauty Pie. Spraying this fragrance is akin to being on vacation, biting into the juiciest orange after a refreshing swim. It’s vibrant, uplifting, and wonderfully addictive. Plus, the sandalwood and tonka bean base leave a warm, lasting impression sure to earn you compliments all day.

      2. Best Evening Scent: Phlur Golden Rule, £99

       - Key notes: Mandarin, pink pepper, coconut milk, vanilla cream, orange flower, jasmine. Although orange fragrances are mainly thought of as daytime scents, I consider this Phlur fragrance a perfect choice for a date night. The zesty blend of mandarin, pink pepper, and vanilla is bold and slightly spicy. After testing, I found it to be exceptionally well-rounded. Since I got it, I cannot stop wearing it.

      3. Best Daytime Scent: Acqua Di Parma Colonia Il Profumo, £146

       - Key notes: Lemon, sweet orange, lavender, rose, verbena, rosemary, sandalwood, patchouli. If you're looking for an everyday orange perfume that still feels special, Acqua Di Parma Colonia Il Profumo is the one. We've recognized it as one of the best citrus perfumes ever for a reason. With its typical citrus notes enhanced by lavender and rosemary, it presents a fresh, almost herbal undertone.

      4. Best New Perfume: Dior Paradise, £175

       - Key notes: Mandarin, almond, tonka bean. This new fragrance from Dior is warm and radiant, reminiscent of sunshine on the skin. Inspired by Château de La Colle Noire, Christian Dior's Provençal retreat filled with almond trees, it harmonizes the freshness of mandarin with the sweetness of almond for an unforgettable olfactory experience.

      5. Best Luxury Perfume: Tom Ford Taormina Orange, £220

       - Key notes: Blood orange, orange flower absolute, patchouli oil, oakmoss absolute. Tom Ford fragrances masterfully elevate a single note to new levels, as seen in Taormina Orange. Inspired by Sicily's sparkling waters, this scent emphasizes orange while incorporating earthy undertones of patchouli and oakmoss. It’s fresh, zesty, and utterly captivating.

      6. Best Sweet Perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Kurky, £150

       - Key notes: Tutti-frutti accord, white musk, vanilla. For those who adore gourmand fragrances, Kurky from Maison Francis Kurkdjian is a fantastic pick. While it doesn't focus primarily on orange, it blends fruity notes of orange