With a soul deeply rooted in New York’s fashion scene, Donna Karan has always been synonymous with sophistication. The brand’s foray into perfumes began in 1992 and each scent is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, embodying the spirit of the brand’s fashion lineage. Donna Karan perfumes aren’t just fragrances: they’re an extension of her philosophy – empowering, intimate, and designed to take a woman from day into night with ease.
What makes Donna Karan perfumes truly amazing is the brand’s timeless appeal. Today, with over 177 perfumes to its name, it’s a pioneer in the fragrance world, offering scents that are both luxurious and accessible, perfect for the everyday woman who appreciates the finer things in life.
Not sure where to start when it comes to the best Donna Karen perfumes? We’ve rounded up all of our top picks from the brand.
Be Delicious by Donna Karan
Is there any scent quite as quintessentially DKNY as Be Delicious by Donna Karan? Sweet, fresh, and deliciously apple-scented, this lighthearted fragrance is a top choice from the brand for the spring and summer months. Blending heavy green notes with a fruity, aquatic array of top notes, it wows with its violet leaf, apple, grapefruit, and magnolia.
Recommended related fragrances: Angel by Thierry Mugler, L’eau D’issey (Issey Miyake) by Issey Miyake, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana
Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan
Cashmere Mist might just be one of the most sophisticated scents around and is perfect for the working week. Spritz this scent on days when you need a suave finish to your look without overpowering everyone within close vicinity. Musky and powdery with a white floral undercurrent, its most prominent notes include bergamot, suede, lily-of-the-valley, and jasmine.
Recommended related fragrances: 273 by Fred Hayman Perfume, Ellen Tracy by Ellen Tracy, Touch by Fred Hayman Perfume
Dkny by Donna Karan
Zesty, bright, and crisp: Dkny by Donna Karan is a staple from the brand and it’s easy to understand why. Blending citrus and aromatic notes, this endlessly popular scent works on a year round basis to add the finishing touch to all kinds of outfits. While it opens with the unusual combination of green tomato leaves, red orange juice, and cold vodka, it softens into something a little more familiar with notes of water lily, orchid, and daffodil.
Recommended related fragrances: Narciso Rodriguez by Narciso Rodriguez, Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani, La Vie Est Belle by Lancome
Be Delicious Fresh Blossom by Donna Karan
Loved the original Be Delicious by Donna Karan and now looking for a complimentary scent to add to the collection? Give Be Delicious Fresh Blossom by Donna Karan a try. While the original leans into green fruits, this softer, feminine scent is all about the pink and red hues. Blending grapefruit with rose and jasmine petals, this soft, gentle scent is perfect for spring days or date nights.
Recommended related fragrances: Deep Euphoria Perfume by Calvin Klein, Envy Me Perfume by Gucci, Cool Water Perfume by Davidoff
Be Extra Delicious by Donna Karan
Not so big into fruity perfumes but love the idea of Be Delicious? Try Be Extra Delicious by Donna Karan. Imagine the original scent but doused with a heavy coating of caramel and sweet notes and you’ll begin to understand exactly why this newer release is so popular. With its impressive longevity and delicious array of notes including pear, black currant, freesia, bergamot, and caramel, this is a fragrance you’ll fall in love with each time you spritz it.
Recommended related fragrances: Passion Perfume by Elizabeth Taylor, Realities Perfume by Liz Claiborne, Rive Gauche Perfume by Yves Saint Laurent
Cashmere Aura by Donna Karan
Cashmere Aura by Donna Karan leans heavily into the musky end of the spectrum, making it a sophisticated choice for the woman who wants to hold her own in the room. Woody and soft, with a musky, slightly citrusy undertone, this stylish fragrance offers a blend of delicate flowers and blonde woods with an impressively elegant finish. Wear with an all white outfit for a timeless finish.
Recommended related fragrances: Bright Crystal by Versace, Jimmy Choo by Jimmy Choo, Crystal Noir by Versace
Golden Delicious Dkny by Donna Karan
Golden Delicious Dkny by Donna Karan is one of those scents that probably doesn’t feel like a must-buy if you’ve already got the original…until you’ve breathed in its soft, apple-heavy notes and realized it’s now a firm contender for a new signature scent. White floral, fruity, and sweet all at once, it shimmers with white roses, Casablanca lilies, lily of the valley, and vanilla orchid notes.
Recommended related fragrances: Demeter Green Tea by Demeter Perfume, Notebook Citrus & Green Tea by Selectiva SPA Perfume, Alyssa Ashley Green Tea Essence by Alyssa Ashley
Now that we’ve taken you through the best Donna Karan perfumes, head on over to perfume.com and choose your favorites. Shop our best sellers here.
Georgie Darling is a freelance lifestyle and travel writer from London, England. Her work has been published in ELLE, Yahoo, Red, Grazia, and Tripadvisor, amongst others. When she’s not writing, Georgie spends most of her time travelling to new countries and scuba diving. She’s been an avid fragrance lover since a young age and considers Alaïa by Alaïa Paris to be her signature scent.
