UrbanUpdate

The best spring colognes are guaranteed to put you in a good mood. The right accord can put a little extra pep in your step, even if it’s a chilly groundhog-seeing-its-shadow type of year. Those green, floral, and citrus notes wake up something in you, stimulating optimism and energy. Those aren't the only notes that can stimulate an olfactive spring awakening, though: The season celebrates lighter scents above all, but you’ll find plenty of ambrous, musky, and woody aromas in the best spring colognes.

If you've already refreshed your wardrobe but not your rotation of smell-goods, we've curated a sensational roster below. Some of them are as crisp and bright as the summer sun, while others are more transitional, think warm musk but not as heavy as the one you'd wear in winter. A few could be candidates for your new signature scent, while others are more of a change of pace. (For starters: consider having a floral fragrance on standby, to embrace a softer side of those first warm weekends.)

Acqua di Parma “Colonia”

Acqua di Parma "Colonia"$231

Neiman Marcus

A century (plus a few more years) later, a couple whiffs of “Colonia” is all it'll take to transport you to a sun-drenched locale far, far away. Created in 1916, Acqua di Parma's signature scent blends together notes of zesty lemon and bergamot, softened with florals like lavender and rose, and grounded by sandalwood and patchouli. It's rich without being intense, making it the perfect whirlwind of seasons come together for the a transitional scent to carry you from spring cleaning to summer flinging.

Diptyque “Do Son”

Diptyque "Do Son"$205

Bloomingdales

With tuberose as a leading note, “Do Son” pays homage to Dipyque co-founder Yves Coueslant's childhood spent in Vietnam. The scent is sweet and creamy with a floral freshness that calls to mind winding down in the shade after a long day out in the sun. It's the type of fragrance that will soften throughout the day enveloping into a scented “aura”–and who doesn't want their spiritual energy to smell this good?

Elorea “Heaven”

Elorea "Heaven"$125

Elorea

This indie darling fell from the skies and onto a bed of roses. It puts a welcome spin on spring with a vanilla-passion-fruit-pink-pepper melange, but more than anything this is a green-floral spritz. I reckon it will attract more masculine-identifying wearers than you might expect from just reading the notes.

Parfums de Marly “Carlisle”

Parfums de Marly "Carlisle"$405

Nordstrom

Woods and spices don't have to take a backseat when winter closes out –in fact, the right balance can heat things up even more. “Carlisle” is an intoxicating blend of vanilla and patchouli that is musky yet crisp thanks to notes of green apple. Whether you're layering on before an evening dinner for two or a much larger night out, this fragrance will leave your companions in a blissful trance.

Ermenegildo Zegna "XXX Verdigris"

Ermenegildo Zegna "XXX Verdigris"$180

Bloomingdales

You'd think the metallic, icy, and spicy notes in XXX Verdigris would signal a pure wintry scent. But a through-line of green and floral elements makes it an ideal shoulder-season spritz.

Amouage “Reflection”

Amouage "Reflection"$360

Bloomingdales

What do red pepper leaves, rosemary and bitter orange have in common? They all play a starring role in Amouage's spicy eau de parfum. Regardless if you're one dress yourself up in fragrance or cap it at a couple spritzes, the Omani perfumer has perfected heady blends ranging from springy concoctions to moodier collectives that will last you all day–and leave an impression that'll last much longer.

Officine Universelle Buly “Triple Fleur d'Oranger”

Officine Universelle Buly "Triple Fleur d'Oranger"$121

Officine Universelle Buly

Buly 1803 has been making sure Paris' finest smell like it for more than two hundred years, so you can be rest assured they know a thing or two about mixing together your next signature scent. The “Triple Fleur d'Oranger” is an explosion of citrus–orange blossom, lemon, neroli–paired together with sweet freesia and a delicate white musk. It quite literally smells like spring in a bottle, perfect for a morning pick-me-up or an evening night cap. And thanks to the world wide web you won't have to book a flight to experience the best of what this Parisian apothecary has to offer.

Chanel “Bleu de Chanel”

Chanel "Bleu de Chanel"$130

Chanel

Honestly, “Bleu” is a year-round type of scent because it simply smells fantastic (hence it's lasting presence in the fragrance sphere). But what makes it particularly well-suited for spring are the fine notes of grapefruit and labdanum mixing together for a buildable scent that is earthy and citrusy, the best of both worlds when you're just starting to shed your thick knits but aren't quite ready to reach for the sangria.

Régime des Fleurs “Rock River Melody”

Régime des Fleurs "Rock River Melody"$225

Lucky Scent

"A muddy ride on horseback in sparkling green Fontainebleau forest," according to Régime des Fleurs. You get sap, you get resin, you get patchouli, you get cedar, you get ivy—it's like walking straight from a cold day into an overgrown greenhouse, as if you're emerging from the longest of winter hibernations.

Arquiste “Peau”

Arquiste "Peau"$205

Arquiste

Peau is like a steady trailing off of winter—a lingering, ambrous musk that settles on skin like dew. You might swap this out for summer, but it'll be back in rotation from September to May.

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Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagram

Michella Oré is GQ's commerce writer covering all things style and grooming. Her writing has been published in Vogue, Allure, i-D, 10 Magazine, Barron's, and WWD. Michella holds a B.A. in political science from Williams College and an M.A. in fashion journalism from Central Saint Martins.Commerce WriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQGQ RecommendsColognes and Fragrances