‘Tis the season to get cozy–and there’s no better companion than the soft flicker of candlelight. The best scented candles don’t just set the mood; they transform a space, infusing it with a trail of soft, cocooning scent. One of the easiest ways to make a room feel warm and welcoming, a little fragrance goes a long way.
“A good autumn candle should feel like all of your most comforting memories,” says Jessie Willner and Hanover Booth, co-founders of Discothèque. “It should capture that sense of transition—summer may be over, but the comfort of your home is ready to take its place.” Emilie Bouge, perfumer at Trudon, agrees; for her, lighting a candle is the ultimate seasonal ritual: “When your chosen candle releases a warm, enveloping scent–whether amber, woods, spices, or a hint of gourmand sweetness–everything changes. The home suddenly feels warmer, softer, and much more inviting.” All of which sounds grand, but even if all your favorite fall candle does is give you a quiet moment of calm at the end of a busy day—that’s reason enough to add another to your collection.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Scented Candles
So, what are the best scented candles for fall? Keep reading for some of our favorites.
The Amber Ones
With its rich, sweet, and grounding aroma, amber brings an instant sense of elegance and warmth to a space–the olfactory equivalent of being wrapped in a cashmere blanket. Whether you opt for Trudon’s Ernesto, with its woody accents of cedarwood, patchouli, and tobacco, or Diptyque’s Ambre, with its sweet, resinous blend of amber and spices, these candles make every room a sanctuary.
The Spiced Ones
Whether it’s cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, pink pepper, or ginger, you can’t go wrong with some spicy notes in a fall candle. Warming by their very nature, they layer beautifully with amber, wood, vanilla, and smoky accords, adding depth and complexity while keeping the scent from feeling too sweet. “Some of our favorites are pink pepper and cardamom,” says Booth. “They’re never overpowering, but temper and balance the rest of the composition beautifully.”
The Energy-Clearing Ones
The start of a new season is always a good time to refresh and reset–and an energy-clearing fall candle can help set the tone. Palo santo and sage don’t just smell grounding and meditative, but they have long been used for spiritual cleansing rituals; so if there’s bad energy lurking in your life, get one of these, stat.
The Smoky Wood Ones
“Wood notes make a space feel both snug and characterful,” says Booth. “A great sandalwood has a creamy, almost narcotic quality, while cedarwood is sharper–a little crisper–and feels instantly familiar in a home.” The duo bring the two together in Discothèque’s Crisco Disco, a candle designed to capture the sensuality of a suede jacket on a fictional night out in New York’s Meatpacking District, with notes of vanilla, suede, and blood orange. Effortlessly chic and addictive, these other woody wonders deserve a spot in your fall rotation, too (Byredo’s is a classic for a reason).
The Best Candle Accessories
Proper candle care ensures they last longer. And with the right accessories–whether a sleek candle snuffer or brass matchbox sleeve–you’ll quickly master the art of perfect candle etiquette.
- Jessie Willner and Hanover Booth are the co-founders of Discothèque.
- Emilie Bouge is a perfumer at Trudon