Burberry Summer For Women 2010 Review: The Ultimate Guide to a Lost Summer Classic
An insider's deep dive into the limited-edition sunshine that collectors still chase.
Let's talk about a fragrance that feels like a secret handshake among true perfume lovers. When Burberry Summer For Women launched in 2010, it wasn't just another seasonal flanker—it was a moment. The brand, already a titan of British chic with its iconic check and timeless trench coats, decided to bottle the essence of a perfect English summer day. Not the tropical, over-the-top kind, but the gentle, hopeful, and elegantly fleeting kind. This was the era when limited-edition summer scents were becoming serious business, and Burberry aimed to create something that felt both luxurious and effortlessly wearable.
Positioned within the broader 'Burberry' fragrance line, this release was a deliberate departure from the heavier, more structured scents in their permanent collection. It was designed to be the olfactory equivalent of a crisp linen dress or a spontaneous picnic in Hyde Park. The concept was pure escapism: a scent that captured the first warm breeze, the scent of dew on green grass, and the delicate sweetness of early summer blooms. It was meant to be worn lightly, to enhance a mood rather than dominate a room.
From my conversations with brand archivists and veteran perfumers, the inspiration was deeply nostalgic. The creative team wanted to evoke memories of long, lazy afternoons in the English countryside, of garden parties where laughter mingled with the scent of cut grass and champagne. It was an aspirational yet relatable vision—a slice of a sophisticated, sun-drenched life. The bottle itself, with its frosted glass and iconic Burberry check cap, was designed to feel cool to the touch, like a refreshing drink on a hot day.
In the fragrance community, Burberry Summer 2010 has developed a cult following. It's one of those 'if you know, you know' scents. Discontinued after its seasonal run, it became a sought-after item on auction sites and in fragrance swap groups. Its reputation is that of a 'perfectly pretty' summer scent—not groundbreaking, but impeccably executed. It represents a specific moment in time for the brand and for perfumery, before the trend for ultra-sweet gourmands and intense oud compositions took over. For many, it's the benchmark of a classic, elegant summer floral-fruity.
The Nose Behind the Scent
Michel Almairac (with in-house Burberry team). Almairac is a legendary French perfumer known for his masterful, elegant compositions. His other iconic creations include Chloé Eau de Parfum, Gucci Rush, and several scents for Robert Piguet. His signature is creating fragrances that feel both modern and timeless, with a beautiful balance of freshness and depth.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The first spray is an instant burst of optimism. Juicy, sun-ripened mandarin and peach dance together, creating a mouthwatering, almost effervescent fruitiness. It's immediately bright and cheerful, but it's grounded by a crisp, dewy green note that keeps it from being purely candied. This opening is pure, unadulterated sunshine.
As the initial citrus fizz settles (around the 1-hour mark), the heart reveals its true, elegant character. A delicate bouquet of freesia and lily-of-the-valley takes center stage, supported by the sheerest whisper of jasmine and rose. This is the scent of a flower stall on a breezy morning—clean, transparent, and incredibly feminine. The fruitiness softens into a gentle nectar that sweetens the florals.
After 4+ hours, the fragrance becomes a soft, intimate skin scent. The clean, soapy impression of white musk emerges, blended with a touch of dry cedarwood and warm amber. This final phase is incredibly comforting and wearable—it smells like your own beautiful, sun-kissed skin after a day spent outdoors. It's subtle, lasting, and perfectly polite.
Performance Dashboard
Lasts 5-7 hours on skin, which is respectable for a light, fresh EDT. It becomes a close-to-the-skin scent after the 3-hour mark.
Projects softly for the first 1-2 hours, creating a pleasant personal bubble of about an arm's length. It's not a room-filler, which is intentional for its casual, daytime design.
Leaves a very light, airy trail. People will notice it when they hug you or sit close, but it won't announce your arrival from down the hall.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Receives consistent, gentle compliments like 'You smell lovely' or 'What's that fresh scent?' rather than loud declarations. It's an approachable, crowd-pleasing fragrance that people enjoy being near.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Exquisitely balanced, cheerful opening
- ✅ Perfectly inoffensive and office-safe
- ✅ Beautifully captures a specific summer mood
- ✅ Elegant, timeless bottle design
- ✅ Discontinued status adds to its collectible charm
- ❌ Performance is moderate at best (typical for its type)
- ❌ Not a unique or groundbreaking scent profile
- ❌ Can be difficult to find and may be priced at a premium on resale markets
- ❌ The drydown is quite subtle
Price & Value
“If you find it for close to its original retail price, it's absolutely worth it for a beautiful summer signature. At high collector premiums, it's a purchase for true fans and completists.”
📜 Reformulation History
As a limited edition from a single production run in 2010, batch variations are minimal. However, any bottle found today is over a decade old. Top notes (citrus) may have degraded slightly, making the opening less vibrant than when fresh. The heart and base notes are generally stable. There is no known reformulation, as it was not re-released.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women who appreciate classic, 'pretty' femininity
- Those aged 25-50 seeking a non-cloying summer scent
- Fans of clean, fresh florals and soft fruits
- Anyone with a minimalist, chic style who dislikes heavy perfumes
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who crave beast-mode performance and projection
- Lovers of dark, spicy, or gourmand fragrances
- People looking for a complex, challenging scent journey
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar DNA of peony, freesia, and clean musk, though Chloé is more floral and less fruity.
Comparable fresh, dewy floral-rose character with a peony heart, perfect for spring/summer.
Captures a similar British garden elegance with its juicy pear and airy freesia notes.
Offers a comparable vibe of cheerful, fruity-floral sunshine in a casual bottle.
💡 Clone Alternatives
A budget-friendly, cheerful fruity-floral with apple and freesia that captures a similar sunny, casual mood.
A body mist with apple, freesia, and pear notes that provides a very affordable, albeit lighter, version of the fresh fruity-floral theme.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
For those who love the clean musk drydown of Burberry Summer but want something more sophisticated and year-round.
Another classic, crowd-pleasing fresh floral with green and white floral notes for everyday elegance.
If you love the citrusy, sunny vibe but crave much stronger performance and a marine twist.
More from Burberry
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple vanilla-scented body oil or lotion to add a creamy, gourmand warmth to the drydown.
- A light, salty marine fragrance to enhance the 'beachy day' aspect.
- A single spray of a woody scent like Santal 33 to give the delicate florals more backbone and intrigue.
🏆 Final Verdict
Burberry Summer For Women 2010 is more than just a perfume; it's a beautifully preserved memory in a bottle. It represents a specific era of perfumery where elegance was defined by lightness, freshness, and effortless charm. While it won't win awards for innovation or monstrous performance, it excels brilliantly at its intended purpose: to make you feel instantly refreshed, put-together, and subtly joyful.
You should buy this fragrance if you are a collector of discontinued gems, a lover of classic feminine aesthetics, or someone perpetually in search of the perfect 'my skin but better' summer scent. It's a fragrance that doesn't try too hard—it simply is, and its quiet confidence is its greatest strength. Finding a bottle today is like uncovering a little piece of perfumed history, a sunbeam captured from a perfect summer past.