Fragrance Families Explained: How to Choose Your Perfect Scent

Short answer: The main fragrance families are woody, floral, fresh, sweet/gourmand, and amber/oud. Knowing which you gravitate towards is the fastest way to find a scent you'll love — and every Leclair & Moreau fragrance below is vegan, cruelty-free and UK-made, from £4.95.

Perfumes are grouped into “families” based on their dominant notes — often visualised as a fragrance wheel. Once you know your family, choosing scents (and dupes) becomes far easier. Here's a quick guide.

The main fragrance families

Woody

Warm, smooth and long-lasting — sandalwood, cedar, vetiver and oud. Versatile and often unisex. See the best woody perfumes.

Floral

The classic heart of perfumery — jasmine, rose, tuberose and orange blossom, from delicate to bold. See the best floral perfumes.

Fresh & aquatic

Bright and clean — citrus, marine and aromatic notes, perfect for daytime and warm weather. See the best fresh fragrances.

Sweet & gourmand

Cosy and edible-smelling — vanilla, coffee, praline and caramel, ideal for evenings and cooler months. See the best gourmand perfumes.

Amber & oud

Deep, warm and luxurious — amber, resins, oud and spice, with strong projection and longevity. See the best amber & oud perfumes.

How to find your family

Think about scents you already enjoy — do you prefer clean and fresh, warm and sweet, or rich and woody? A discovery set is the easiest way to try several families at once and discover your signature.

New to dupes? Start with our best perfume dupes UK guide, or learn the lingo in our fragrance notes & terms guide.

FAQ

What are fragrance families?

Fragrance families group perfumes by their dominant notes — such as woody, floral, fresh, gourmand and amber/oud — to help you find scents you'll enjoy.

Can a perfume belong to more than one family?

Yes — many scents blend families, such as woody-fresh or floral-gourmand, which is part of what gives each fragrance its character.