The best perfume bottles of 2016

We picked our favourite perfume bottles of 2016—because style matters too.

If you’re after substance, check out our best perfume picks of 2016—here we’re only concerned about looks. Though, if we’re being honest, this year was a little light on crazy interesting perfume bottles. Instead, we got clean lines and simple beauty. Which is probably best considering the—ahem—exciting year we had. Here are our favourite perfume bottles of 2016, in alphabetical order.

Azzedine Alaïa

The second perfume from Alaïa was in a similar bottle to the first—but instead of black this one was clear. It was the lightening up we needed and combination of clear and gold made this a standout bottle. Alaïa Eau de Parfum Blanche, $162 (100 ml), thebay.com 

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury’s ode to glamour didn’t stop with the juice of her premiere eau—she made sure the packaging was likewise luxe. This geometric bottle wouldn’t look out of place on a vanity table in the 1920’s—but we’ll take one for our own in 2016 too. Charlotte Tilbury Scent of a Dream, $119 (50 ml), charlottetilbury.com 

Coach

While there’s nothing super extraordinary about the bottle that houses Coach The Fragrance, we love a good detail. And the coach and horse detail on this bottle is picture perfect for the brand. Coach The Fragrance, $90 (50 ml), thebay.com

Hermès

The simplicity of the latest fragrance from Hermes is part of the reason why this packaging is so successful. The shape, the slight tinge of colour to the eau, the leather accent—it’s strong and classic. Galop d’Hermès, $222 (50 ml), hermes.com

Kenzo

This is definitely the fun one of the bunch. Though not available in Canada, this fragrance captured out imagination—first with the cheeky bottle design and then with an equally quirky video. Kenzo World, €79.00 (50 ml), kenzo.com

Prada

So, yes, technically this is two bottles. But they work so well together. Prada released two scents—one for men, one for women—but asked wearers to consider switching up their perfume gender presence. This was made even more marked by the bottles—sleek and genderless, one light and one dark depending on your mood. We recommend picking up both and displayng them together—semi-circles that fit together nicely on your vanity. Prada La Femme, $85 (35 ml), and Prada L’Homme, $84 (50 ml), thebay.com

Thierry Mugler

Mugler is no stranger to interesting perfume bottle shapes. Angel’s star-shaped bottle is iconic and Alien is otherworldly. So it makes sense that the latest perfume from the brand, Angel Muse, is similarly interesting. This time, the eau gets sleek packaging that fits comfortably in your hand. It looks futuristic—definitely not like a perfume bottle. Which in this case is a good thing. Thierry Mugler Angel Muse, $102 (50 ml), thebay.com

Read more:
The best perfume of 2015
The best perfume bottles of 2015