When it comes to legendary fragrances, you will be able to find a lot of dupes in the market. However, not all of them will be up to the mark.
Chanel No.5 is one such fragrance.
After being disappointed by multiple knock-offs, I did full market research and uncovered the best alternatives to this classic scent.
To my delight, I found quite a few good ones, so I jot them all down for you in this article.
So, if you are looking for a Chanel No.5 dupe, then read till the end.
What Does Chanel No.5 Smell Like?
When it comes to the concentration of aldehydes, Chanel No. 5 is the first ever perfume in the floral-aldehyde category.
Ernest Beaux formulated the iconic Chanel No. 5 for Coco Chanel in 1921, and it became a massive hit. To this day, even after 100 years, people all over the world are in love with how No. 5 smells.
I have included a note breakdown for you to understand the different layers of this scent better:
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Ylang-Ylang, Neroli, Bergamot and Lemon
Middle Notes: iris, Jasmine, Rose, Orris Root and Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Civet, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Moss, Vetiver, Vanilla and Patchouli
Chanel No. 5 starts beautifully, and the aldehyde scent kicks in almost immediately, along with bright neroli, bergamot, and lemon.
As the scent dries down, the floral plethora consumes the space with lively jasmine, iris, and a blend of other flowers.
The scent settles with amber, sandalwood, musk, vanilla, patchouli and vetiver that ground the fragrance, giving it a pleasant calming effect.
It’s a beautiful and elegant perfume with a massive sillage and remarkable longevity. All in all, I would say it’s a must-have for fragrance lovers.
What Other Perfumes Smell Like Chanel No.5?
Even though Chanel No. 5 is a brilliant fragrance that is a must-have, the price tag makes it a tough choice for most people. It’s super expensive!
However, many perfumes on the market today replicate the scent of the iconic Chanel No. 5 pretty accurately – and that too at a fraction of the price!
So, if you can get the same pleasant aroma with a decent performance at an affordable price, then why not go for it?
To make things easier for you, I have compiled the perfumes that I found to be the best dupes of Chanel No. 5 and presented them in this article!
Here is a list of the 5 best Chanel No.5 alternatives:
Arpege by Lanvin
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Lily-of-the-Valley, Peach, Honeysuckle, Neroli and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lily-of-the-Valley, iris, Coriander, Rose, Lily, Geranium and Camellia
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Amber, Vetiver, Musk, Benzoin, Vanilla and Patchouli
When it comes to choosing perfume as the closest one to Chanel No. 5, Arpege by Lanvin is going to be at the top of my list. Released in 1927, it is an absolute gem and shares most of its notes with No. 5.
Although it is somewhat heavy, it does have a clean feel about it. Arpege also shares a similar vintage feel with No. 5 because it was produced in the same general time period.
It has a very impressive sillage and projection and lasts for a very long time! I would say it’s an absolute ten on ten.
When To Wear
Since Arpege is so dense and rich, I would say it’s more suitable for the cooler seasons- fall, winter and spring. It has amazing longevity, so you can make it your signature scent and wear it every day.
Moreover, it is also suitable for fancy, formal events.
Why Should You Buy
- Close scent to Chanel No. 5.
- Affordable alternative with a similar style.
- Amazing performance, it is very long-lasting and has great projection.
- Rich, elegant, fragrant perfume.
L’Aimant by Coty
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Neroli, Peach and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Rose, Jasmine, Geranium and Orchid
Base Notes: Musk, Vanille, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Vetiver and Virginia Cedar
L’Aimant by Coty is another close scent to Chanel No. 5. Launched not long after No. 5 in 1927, it checks a lot of the same boxes as our Chanel favorite.
It’s very elegant and sophisticated. The aldehydes and florals blend beautifully, much like with No. 5.
The woody notes in this scent are much more prominent, but the added woodiness gives it a unique touch of its own which many people might like.
Even though it has a somewhat good projection, the longevity is excellent, especially given the price point. It is very affordable and a great alternative to Chanel No. 5.
When To Wear
L’Aimant is an excellent option if you want to feel classic and elegant. I would say it’s more suitable for winter and fall, but you can wear it whenever you feel like it.
You can wear it to casual outings and formal events, but I wouldn’t recommend wearing it to run errands and all since you may find it a bit overwhelming, especially during hot summers.
Why Should You Buy
- Similar scent to Chanel No.5.
- Much more affordable than Chanel No. 5.
- Long-lasting, with good projection.
- A beautiful aldehyde, floral, woody, feminine scent.
Caleche By Hermes
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Cypress, Bergamot, Neroli, Orange Blossom, Lemon and Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: iris, Ylang-Ylang, Rose, Gardenia, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar, Musk, Amber and Tonka Bean
Caleche by Hermès is a brilliant scent released in the early 1960s, it’s very feminine, sophisticated and classic. It is very similar to Chanel No. 5 but with intensified floral scents, but it feels much more powdery.
With the iris and a lovely neroli note, Caleche has a strong opening that has a fresh feel. As it dries down, it becomes softer, leaving behind a tasteful, vintage perfume scent. Sometimes, the scent is woodier, but it also feels creamy at times.
Although it’s not a direct replica, it has depth and a lot of accords in common with Chanel No. 5.
And I would say that it’s a very good alternative to No. 5. Moreover, it has brilliant sillage and longevity like the previously mentioned fragrances in the list.
When To Wear
Caleche is more suitable for winter, fall, and classy occasions than casual outings. It’s very feminine and gives you a sophisticated aura.
Why Should You Buy
- Simialr scent to Chanel No. 5.
- Much more affordable.
- Lovely floral notes, more prominent than in Chanel No. 5.
- Good performance and great value for the price.
Calandre by Paco Rabanne
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Green Notes and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Rose, Lily-of-the-Valley, Orris Root, Geranium, Hyacinth and Jasmine
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Vetiver, Musk, Sandalwood and Amber
Calandre by Paco Rabanne, launched in the late 1960s, is a very pleasant floral aldehyde fragrance and another close alternative to Chanel No. 5.
Given that both Calandre and Chanel No. 5 are categorized as floral aldehyde perfumes, they are very similar to one another.
Additionally, they share notes, especially the grounding, woody base tones, and the top and middle notes.
Calandre, on the other hand, is distinct from No. 5 because it is a little more earthy and sensual. But it’s a brilliant feminine scent with excellent performance!
So, I would highly recommend giving this a try if you are looking for a more toned-down, earthier alternative to Chanel No. 5.
When To Wear
Calandre is a great choice for the cooler seasons, like fall and winter, but it is also a good option for summer and spring. So you can pretty much wear it throughout the year.
However, as opposed to the perfumes previously mentioned, I would recommend wearing Calandre to casual occasions and outdoor events instead of formal events due to its woody and earthy scent.
Why Should You Buy
- Similar fragrance to Chanel No. 5.
- Affordable alternative to No. 5.
- More sensual and earthy alternative.
- Great performance.
Topaze by Avon
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Coriander, Peach, Bergamot and Lemon
Middle Notes: Carnation, Ylang-Ylang, Rose, iris, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Civet, Amber, Sandalwood, Benzoin, Vetiver and Tonka Bean
Last but not least, Topaze by Avon, which was also launched in the mid-1900s, is another perfume that smells very similar to Chanel No. 5.
Topaze is also a floral aldehyde scent like Chanel No. 5, but it has an interesting addition of peach. It gives it a peachy initial accent along with the aldehyde and citruses.
Moreover, it also has an added spiciness that makes the scent very complex.
The floral mid notes are very similar to Chanel, and the final base notes also have an uncanny resemblance. It is much cheaper than Chanel No. 5, but the performance of Topaze is no less than a super-expensive scent.
So, if you want the smell of Chanel No. 5 but with an interesting touch, you should try this one.
When To Wear
Topaze is a great option for fall and winter, but you can also wear it during summer and spring. It’s an excellent choice for daytime and nighttime events; you can wear it to casual and formal occasions.
Why Should You Buy
- Close scent to Chanel No. 5, but with a twist of its own.
- Much more affordable.
- Good overall performance.
- Pleasant scent.
Wrapping Up
Finding a good alternative or dupe to your favorite designer perfume may feel tedious.
But if your favorite is Chanel No. 5, then there’s no need for you to worry because the perfumes mentioned in this article are the best dupes of No. 5 in the market.
Whether you want something spicier, more floral or the exact same replica, you will find one that suits your taste and matches No. 5 in this list at a very affordable price.
So, let me know which one you decide to go for and which perfume you’d like for me to cover next!
