We’re going bananas for this scent

Bananas are an appealing motif in popular culture. Andy Warhol gave it iconic status in 1967 with his cover design for The Velvet Underground and Nico’s debut album. Nineties kids will remember the anthropomorphic, pyjama-wearing cartoon version. Prada’s 2011 spring-summer collection featured a widely popular print, then revived it in the form of a flavoured lip balm in 2025.

And now, banana-scented perfumes are having a moment. Our pick of the bunch this summer is Miami Split by all-natural fragrance brand Abel, which has a top note of upcycled green banana, with a light white oud at its heart and a balancing base of woody labdanum. Hard to imagine it working, but it absolutely does.

Others include the tropical-leaning Banana Rush by Juliette Has A Gun, Daisy Murakami Green by Marc Jacobs and Zara’s Sun Kissed Banana.

Miami Split Eau de Parfum £160 for 50ml, abelfragrance.com