The best summer perfumes: Freshen up with the clean, bright scent of white flowers

Costa Azzurra EDP 50ml, £142, Tom Ford

The heat of summer seems to send everyday smells into overdrive – be they good or bad. It's this same heightened sense that makes hearty, warming winter fragrances suddenly feel all wrong.

Buying a new scent for the few months of summer can feel a bit indulgent but if stored in a cool, dark place, perfume can keep its integrity for up to two years. The clean, bright scent of white flowers such as jasmine, lily of the valley and gardenia are a perfect balance to more sugary notes, which can become cloying at this time of year.

California Reverie EDP 75ml

£126, Van Cleef & Arpels, harrods.co.uk

This smells as elegant and chic as could be expected from this legendary fine jeweller, thanks to white flowers and a light, bright – almost green-smelling – finish.

Flowerhead EDP 50ml

£88, Byredo, liberty.co.uk

Reportedly six years in the making, top notes of Sicilian lemon dries down to white jasmine sambac, rose petals and amber to recreate the scent of the floral garlands of traditional Indian weddings.

Gardenia Rattan EDP 50ml

£85, Aerin, esteelauder.co.uk

Gardenia and tuberose combine with a delicate coconut-y note which immediately conjures up memories of days at the beach with sun-warmed skin and suntan lotion.

Costa Azzurra EDP 50ml

£142, Tom Ford, 0870 034 2566

This is a permanent extension to Ford's classic Neroli Portofino and smells like the ultimate upscale version of that Nineties bloke favourite Davidoff Cool Water – which is a very good thing.

Candy Florale EDT 80ml

£68, Prada, harveynichols.com

With a name like candy you'd expect this to be a sugar rush, but the pretty pink packaging is disarming – there is a sweetness but it's a delicate honey note drizzled among fresh flowers.