Burberry Summer for Women 2011 Burberry 2011 female 23

The Verdict

Burberry Summer for Women 2011 is a limited edition entry in Burberry's annual Summer fragrance series, designed to capture the atmosphere of an English summer morning. With its fresh, sparkling, floral-fruity-green composition, it achieves that goal in its opening moments. The fragrance is pleasant, well-balanced, and appropriately light for warm weather. Unfortunately, like many fragrances in the Burberry Summer line, it struggles with staying power that undermines the overall experience.

Released as a one-year limited edition, the 2011 version has found a small but devoted following among those who wore it during its original release. However, its ephemeral nature, both in terms of availability and on-skin performance, limits its broader appeal.

What It Smells Like

The opening is a sudden, sharp burst of fresh apple, pomegranate, and orange, accented by green leaf notes. This is not an artificial fruit cocktail; reviewers note the citrus comes across as natural and noble rather than synthetic, with a refreshing sparkle that feels genuinely summery.

As the top notes settle, the heart reveals a pretty floral bouquet of rose, freesia, and lily of the valley. The apple note blends harmoniously with the rose and freesia, creating an interesting yet accessible combination. The florals are soft rather than heady, maintaining the light, airy character established by the opening.

The base of cedar, sandalwood, and white musk provides a gentle woody undertone that keeps the fragrance from floating away entirely. A subtle vanilla sweetness enters in the dry-down, adding a pleasant warmth without becoming sugary or cloying. The overall impression is of a balanced, fresh floral that prioritizes lightness above all else.

When to Wear It

As its name suggests, this is strictly a summer fragrance. It was designed for warm weather and works best on sunny days when you want to feel fresh and light. Casual daytime activities, garden parties, weekend brunches, and outdoor strolls are its ideal settings.

The fragrance is too delicate for evening wear or cooler months, where it would feel insubstantial and quickly disappear. It is a daytime-only proposition that asks to be paired with light clothing and sunshine.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is the 2011 Summer edition's most significant weakness. Fragrantica community ratings show a longevity score of 2.45 out of 5 and sillage of 1.97 out of 4, placing it firmly in the weak performance category. Most reviewers report the fragrance fading within 2-3 hours, with some noting it becomes undetectable even sooner.

Projection is minimal from the start and becomes virtually nonexistent after the first hour. The lovely top notes create an initial impression that promises more than the fragrance ultimately delivers. This is a scent that stays very close to the skin, requiring frequent reapplication for any sustained presence.

The Community Says

Community reviews are split between appreciation for the scent itself and frustration with its performance. Fans describe it as their favorite summer fragrance, noting they wore it daily during summer 2011 and still cherish it. They praise its natural, citrusy character and the pleasant, balanced blend of flowers and fruits.

Critics focus squarely on the longevity issue. Multiple reviewers note that while the top notes are lovely, the fragrance fades far too quickly to justify even its modest price point. A minority also detect a synthetic or plasticky quality, particularly compared to other Burberry fragrances, though this appears to be a skin chemistry issue rather than a universal observation.

Who Should Buy This

Burberry Summer for Women 2011 appeals to women who prioritize a beautiful scent experience over lasting performance. If you enjoy light, fresh, fruity-florals and do not mind reapplying throughout the day, the scent itself is genuinely pleasant. Collectors of the annual Burberry Summer series may also seek it out for completeness.

However, as a discontinued limited edition with weak longevity, it is difficult to recommend over widely available alternatives that offer similar fresh-floral profiles with better staying power.

The Bottom Line

Burberry Summer for Women 2011 is a charming but fleeting evocation of English summer gardens, delivering fresh pomegranate, orange, and rose in a light, natural-feeling composition. Its lovely opening and balanced heart deserve a better delivery system, as the frustratingly short longevity prevents it from fully realizing its potential as a summer signature.