How Our Copy Team Put We The Free’s First-Ever Fragrance Into Words

Here at Free People, we’ve loved dipping our toes into the fragrance world. First with our all-natural 1809 collection, then diving in completely with Neroli Water by free-est, starting summer ‘25 off with a splash. When the team was looking for the next scent-sation, the answer was obvious—an ode to our long-time, in-house heritage label, We The Free.

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of We The Free is undeniable wardrobe staples: classic tees, denim done differently, things that will last in your wardrobe for years to come. When putting that into a scent, the notes were no-brainers: a cotton dream, combining that clean, classic smell effortlessly with woodsy notes, cozy musk, and florals to form a crisp, grounding profile.

But we could go on and on and about perfume notes and other technical stuff for days, right? And telling only goes so far when you can’t experience it yourself…

So to get a realistic grasp on what you’re dealing with here (since someone has yet to invent smell-transferring technology), our team of talented writers has dedicated a half-hour of their day to douse themselves in this new fragrance and talk about it in great detail. You in? Read on to get the real low-down of We The Free’s new signature scent:

Gwen 2:06 PM
How are we smelling, ladies?

Sarah 2:06 PM
Like a cotton dream!

Gwen 2:06 PM
I feel like I can't get my wrists out of my face

Claire 2:07 PM
Same @Gwen

Jules 2:07 PM
Like I just stepped out of the shower and into fresh sheets

Claire 2:07 PM
Feeling very floral and clean

Claire 2:07 PM
Fresh laundry and flowers in the kitchen 🩷🩷

Jules 2:07 PM
YES Claire I feel like the scent is a journey -- immediately it smells super clean and musky, but eventually tapers into an almost vanilla-like gourmand scent, which I wasn't expecting

Sarah 2:08 PM
I do really like this smell, which is pleasantly surprising cause I'm very picky about my scents! I'm usually a go-to vanilla girlie

Gwen 2:08 PM
I was gonna ask--what's everyone's normal go-to, and how does this differ? Any notes you love popping out to you?

Claire 2:09 PM
Agreed on the scent being a journey! The top notes are cotton and lemon oil, which I feel like give it that clean laundry-like scent we all love
💖1

Gwen 2:09 PM
Claire with the extra Beauty Team insight 😉 shoutout!!!

Sarah 2:09 PM
I feel like this is a little warmer than the scents I usually go for, but I think that's a nice change! It'll be nice for the upcoming holiday season.

Jules 2:09 PM
I'm definitely a musky/peppery/salty/sandalwood fan! Anything clean--which is why I think I love this. Sooo interesting because I am so NOT a vanilla gal, and I get hits of vanilla with this, but I'm loving it because of how fresh it smells.

Gwen 2:10 PM
YES VANILLA my one true love

Jules 2:10 PM
I definitely get the notes of cotton, which is hard to put into words, but I think like we've all said it just smells like fresh laundry and fresh air

Claire 2:10 PM
I personally love a musky perfume, and with the base notes of cedarwood and musk, I feel like that is really part of the profile that lasts

Jules 2:10 PM
Agreed Claire!!

Sarah 2:11 PM
I love clean scents like this, it kind of reminds me of my love for that one lemony surface cleaner if that makes sense?
🤣2

Gwen 2:12 PM
It def smells different when you first spray it than when it sits on--I feel like the body heat really transforms the scent and warms it up a bit

Jules 2:12 PM
This reminds me of something I'd reach for when I was younger, in the best way. It's the perfect everyday perfume--light and airy and slightly sweet, but with a really elevated finish
‼️1

Gwen 2:12 PM
Yes, n o s t a l g i c

Sarah 2:12 PM
Yes!! That's a great way to describe it. I feel like some scents you have to wear for a while to really appreciate it.
‼️1

Jules 2:12 PM
Definitely, Gwen. It definitely transforms a bit with wear
‼️1 I feel like this is the perfect "everyone will love this" perfume. Almost similar to other “your scent but better” products on the market right now

Claire 2:13 PM
Yes! Totally makes sense that this is from We The Free, since they are all about heritage styles and nostalgic styles. Perfect daytime scent!

Sarah 2:14 PM
I can definitely see that! Very warm, nostalgic and effortless.

Gwen 2:14 PM
On a gloomy day like today, it feels like the perfect warm hug, like your favorite sweatshirt right out of the dryer
❤️2
I might need to do that when I get home
‼️2

Gwen 2:15 PM
Wait let's rewind...can we talk about the bottle?

Jules 2:15 PM
LET'S

Sarah 2:15 PM
When I'm buying perfume or any other products I'm someone who "judges a book by its cover," so I really enjoy how aesthetically pleasing the bottle is as well! It's like a vintage-inspired silhouette

Jules 2:16 PM
It's SO chic, especially with that new logo, and something I want to keep out on display for sure

Gwen 2:16 PM
like that belongs on an old perfume tray

Jules 2:17 PM
Exactly, like with your jewelry and go-to lipstick tube

Gwen 2:17 PM
I have one from my grandma at home, and I can already picture it there Just stunning, gorgeous, timeless

Claire 2:17 PM
I feel like the spray range was also very wide? Not sure how to describe it exactly, but I liked that element of it too

Gwen 2:18 PM
Omg Claire yes!!!! Like the ones with the little puff at the end

Claire 2:18 PM
You get me
🤝1

Gwen 2:18 PM
So chic

Jules 2:18 PM
Wait Claire that's SUCH a good point and not something I thought of

Sarah 2:18 PM
I totally get it Claire I always look for something that has a nice misting element to it

Jules 2:18 PM
It's the strength and sophistication of an eau de parfum but it mists like a body spray if that makes sense
‼️2

Gwen 2:18 PM
Miss me with those watergun-esque flows please
🤣1 👎1
The spritz needs to be just as special and delicate as the scent itself!!!!

Sarah 2:20 PM
Oooh yes describing this scent as delicate is perfect

Claire 2:20 PM
Yes! Making your beauty routine a fun and peaceful ritual is important!
‼️2

Gwen 2:21 PM
Omg also, I remember it was being passed around the office last week, and someone said it reminded them of a first date💌🥹
🫶1

Jules 2:21 PM
Oohhh I love that. That's such a great way to put it into words

Sarah 2:21 PM
That's so cute

Jules 2:21 PM
Familiar but new!!!
‼️1

Gwen 2:21 PM
😭😭😭 I could cry truly

Gwen 2:23 PM
Literally! I feel like perfume is so personal, and the ones you connect to can really stir things up in ya

Jules 2:23 PM
This is also something I can see myself putting on before bed or just when I feel like smelling nice because it's not overpowering or lingers in a heavy way I also think this would layer beautifully with other scents

Gwen 2:24
She truly can do it all and plays well with others...i'll bite

Sarah 2:24 PM
Yes Jules! My girlfriend loves layering a ton of scents and she always smells sooo good!
👏1

Jules 2:25
It just creates a uniquely-you scent and I think the finish of this is the perfect base for other fragrances

Gwen 2:25 PM
Seems like we have something really special on our hands, ya'll ☁️☁️☁️

Jules 2:26 PM
I fear we're going to see this perfume everywhere

Jules 2:26 PM
If I smelled it in store it would immediately come home with me

Gwen 2:27 PM
YOU'RE COMING HOME WITH ME!!!!

Jules 2:27 PM
Need a candle, body lotion, body wash, everything ASAP!!!

Gwen 2:27 PM
Beauty Team, take notes 👀