All out of PTO for the summer? No problem. If your out-of-office reply is wishful thinking or your summer getaway looks more like chasing shade in the backyard, the right summer fragrance is going to be key.
Scent is powerful. It can shift your mood, change the energy in a room, and yes, mentally transport you from a stuffy office straight to a sun-soaked cabana in Bali. No sandy shoes, sunburns, or delayed flights needed.
So if you're staying put but still want to feel like you're sipping from a coconut or yachting in paradise, we've rounded up four vacation-worthy scents that bring the getaway to you. These beachy scents and summer standouts smell like confidence, cool breezes, and a life of leisure.
- Layton by Parfums de Marly
Layton smells like luxury and late nights in Monaco. Think sun-warmed skin, crisp white shirts, and expensive cocktails on the coast. It’s warm, spicy, a little sweet, and totally hypnotic. This is one of the best colognes out there if you want to seem like you definitely have a private jet on standby.
- Greenwich Village by Bond No. 9
Greenwich Village is fresh, slightly aquatic, and somehow smells like both vacation and ambition. Picture yourself strolling through a sunlit city park, gelato in hand, with nothing on the agenda but enjoying the moment. It’s light enough to wear daily, but interesting enough to make people stop and ask what you’re wearing. A perfect summer fragrance when you want to keep things polished but playful.
Greenwich Village – Shop it here
- Good Fortune by Viktor & Rolf
Want to channel your inner goddess of summer? This is the one. Good Fortune is creamy, herbal, and just a little mystical. It feels like golden hour on a breezy balcony or a quiet evening stroll through a moonlit Mediterranean garden. It’s not your typical beachy scent, but it captures the magic of summer in a way that’s totally unexpected.
- Invictus Platinum by Paco Rabanne
For the sporty summer types, this one is all adrenaline and fresh air. Minty, woody, and bright, Invictus Platinum smells like movement and motivation. Like going from a hillside hike to a beach bonfire without missing a beat. It’s one of the best colognes for guys who want something clean but with an edge. It practically demands sunshine.
Invictus Platinum – Shop it here
Final Boarding Call
You don’t need a travel itinerary to smell like you’re on vacation. Whether you’re chasing the best cologne for rooftop drinks or the perfect summer fragrance to keep you inspired through another Zoom call, there’s a scent out there that can bring the vacation to you.
So throw on your favorite sunglasses, spritz something that makes you feel like a beachside version of yourself, and remember, the right beachy scent can turn even the most ordinary day into something worth dreaming about.