Guide

Best fragrances for formal events

Refined and confident, from weddings to interviews. These are the highest-scoring fragrances for formal events in Scent Hub's when-to-wear model, which scores every fragrance from its notes, how far it projects and how long it lasts. It is ranked on composition, not on reviews or marketing.

For formal events, the model rewards woody, powdery and leather notes and marks down sweet, gourmand and aquatic. Each score is out of 100, averaged across all four seasons. Fragrances with fewer than 4 notes are left out, and no more than 2 come from any one house, so the list is a spread.

Top picks

The 15 highest-scoring fragrances at any price.

1. 1
   Commodity Paper BoldDesigner · Parfum · woody · 62/100
2. 2
   Di Ser KyaraLuxury · EDP · woody and floral · 61/100
3. 3
   DS & Durga BowmakersNiche · EDP · woody and amber · 59/100
4. 4
   Abel Green CedarNiche · EDP · woody and floral · 59/100
5. 5
   Lalique Encre NoireBudget · EDT · woody and musk · 59/100
6. 6
   Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Eau & CèdreDesigner · EDT · woody and fresh spicy · 58/100
7. 7
   Yves Saint Laurent 24 Rue de L'UniversitéLuxury · EDP · woody and leather · 57/100
8. 8
   DS & Durga KisoNiche · EDP · woody and leather · 57/100
9. 9
   Profumum Roma AmanteNiche · Parfum · woody and amber · 57/100
10. 10
    Matière Première Bois d'ÉbèneNiche · EDP · woody and fresh spicy · 57/100
11. 11
    Universal Flowering DaddyNiche · EDP · woody and fresh spicy · 57/100
12. 12
    Aesop HwylPremium · EDP · woody and musk · 56/100
13. 13
    Memo Paris InvernessNiche · EDP · woody and powdery · 56/100
14. 14
    Dior Dior Homme ParfumPremium · Parfum · woody and powdery · 56/100
15. 15
    Gucci Guilty AbsoluteDesigner · EDP · woody and amber · 56/100

Best on a budget

The 10 highest-scoring budget fragrances.

1. 1
   Lalique Encre NoireBudget · EDT · woody and musk · 59/100
2. 2
   Lattafa GhinwaBudget · EDP · woody and amber · 53/100
3. 3
   Dossier Woody SandalwoodBudget · EDP · woody and leather · 53/100
4. 4
   Lattafa Fakhar Lattafa WomenBudget · EDP · floral and woody · 52/100
5. 5
   Maison Alhambra Jean Lowe OmbreBudget · EDP · woody and amber · 51/100
6. 6
   Billie Eilish Eilish No. 2Budget · EDP · woody and musk · 51/100
7. 7
   Afnan Edict OuddictionBudget · EDP · woody and leather · 50/100
8. 8
   Swiss Arabian Pretty OudBudget · EDP · woody and floral · 49/100
9. 9
   Billie Eilish Eilish No. 3Budget · EDP · woody and fresh spicy · 49/100
10. 10
    Zara OakwoodBudget · EDP · leather and woody · 49/100

Worth the splurge

The 8 highest-scoring niche and luxury fragrances.

1. 1
   Di Ser KyaraLuxury · EDP · woody and floral · 61/100
2. 2
   DS & Durga BowmakersNiche · EDP · woody and amber · 59/100
3. 3
   Abel Green CedarNiche · EDP · woody and floral · 59/100
4. 4
   Yves Saint Laurent 24 Rue de L'UniversitéLuxury · EDP · woody and leather · 57/100
5. 5
   DS & Durga KisoNiche · EDP · woody and leather · 57/100
6. 6
   Profumum Roma AmanteNiche · Parfum · woody and amber · 57/100
7. 7
   Matière Première Bois d'ÉbèneNiche · EDP · woody and fresh spicy · 57/100
8. 8
   Universal Flowering DaddyNiche · EDP · woody and fresh spicy · 57/100

Want it cheaper?

Every fragrance page lists what costs less and smells close to it, with anything sold as a dupe marked. Search for a fragrance to see its cheaper alternatives.

More guides

• Best fragrances for springFresh florals and green, light enough for warming days.
• Best fragrances for summerCitrus and aquatic scents that stay bright in the heat.
• Best fragrances for fallWarm spice, wood and amber for cooler days.
• Best fragrances for winterHeavy, cosy scents that hold up in the cold.
• Best fragrances for schoolClean and quiet, because the air is shared all day.
• Best fragrances for workPolished and easy on the people sat near you.
• Best fragrances for the gymLight and fresh, nothing that fights with sweat.
• Best everyday fragrancesEasy to wear nearly anywhere, in any season.
• Best fragrances for a dateWarm, close and a little bit memorable.
• Best fragrances for a night outLoud and long-lasting, built for a crowded room.