Scandi Women Know How to Smell Good—6 Perfume Brands You'll Find on Their Dressing Tables

The Best Scandi Perfumes

1. Byredo

Perhaps the chicest and most-loved of all the Scandi perfume brands is Byredo. Founded in Stockholm in 2006 by Ben Gorham, its fragrances evoke universal emotions and memories (think Bibliotheque, which captures the sweet smell of old books in a library) while drawing upon the sleek minimalism of Scandinavian design—the monochrome, dome-topped bottles are inherently something you want on your dressing table. I have to admit, I've not met a Byredo fragrance that I didn't like, but I have a soft spot for Mojave Ghost, a sultry woody-musk that gets me endless compliments, and Vanille Antique, a glowing resinous take on vanilla that is utterly addictive.

2. & Other Stories

If you want a Scandi fragrance that won't make your bank account cry, then don't sleep on & Other Stories perfumes. Leave it to Sweden’s most stylish high-street export to bring chic yet affordable perfumes into our everyday routines. & Other Stories’ fragrance collection is built around a sense of playfulness, but they don't smell like your typical high street perfumes—they smell luxurious. Some of the noses behind & Other Stories perfumes are also behind fragrances from Byredo and Victoria Beckham Beauty. The uncomplicated blends nod to notes from nature, while the packaging mirrors the brand’s effortless aesthetic.

3. Maya Njie

Although based in London, Maya Njie’s Swedish and Gambian roots shine through her eponymous perfume house. Her scents combine a love of family heritage and memories in tandem with a Scandi appreciation for raw materials that evoke a sense of shared nostalgia. Take Nordic Cedar, which captures a family photo of Nije's family at a cabin near Swedish woodlands with its woodsy, aromatic notes that are grounding and invigorating as a walk in the forest.

4. COS

Much to the delight of our Who What Wear UK beauty editors, Cos extended its minimalist design language into fragrance this year, and some of the scents have become some of my new favourites—they could easily pass for four times the price. Cos perfumes channel the same ethos of simplicity and timelessness of its clothing with an understated Scandi sophistication, and they're very long-lasting, too. Auburn speaks to me the most from the collection and especially at this time of the year—it's the most perfect autumn perfume that makes you feel like you're sitting by a roaring fire with a warm, spiced beverage.

5. Bibbi

Founded by creative designer Bibbi Sæmundsen, this niche fragrance brand embraces storytelling through her vivid moments during meditation. With her magic, she's bottled the feeling of a masked ball, swimming naked in a pool and the feeling of love at first sight. Think hypnotic woods, inky teas and powdery florals that exude a cool Scandi aesthetic and conjure a dream-like world. Housed in bright blue accents and fluted glass bottles, they're just as much a treat for the eyes as they are for the nose.

6. Björk & Berries

Born out of a small family farm in northern Sweden, Björk & Berries is rooted in nature and sustainability. Its fragrances capture the Swedish landscapes, with wild forests and crisp air, all bottled with eco-conscious consideration for the environment. "A classic in Swedish fragrance—Bjork & Berries is known for its cult, clean and 'ecoluxury' scents with natural healing properties," says acting deputy editor, Rebecca Rhys-Evans. "But I mainly love it for its incredibly well-designed bottles. I only have one, White Forest, but it's so fresh and clean that I've used almost all of it in just six months."