Have you ever loved a vintage perfume so direly that you became obsessed with it? It’s an amazing feeling until you can’t find it in any stores or websites anymore.
One such vintage fragrance that many ladies fell in love with is Dolce & Gabbana Red by the famous brand.
Their original D&G perfume with a red cap was a sensation and is still remembered by people from different parts of the world. However, it may be difficult to find in this day and age.
This is why I have decided to gather similar perfumes to the Red Dolce and Gabbana and list them all out for your convenience.
So, read till the end to find out the top alternatives to this vintage classic scent.
What Does Dolce and Gabbana Red Smell Like?
Launched in the early 90s, Dolce and Gabbana (red) was the first-ever perfume by the brand, and Jean-Pierre Mary and Martine Pallix created it.
The white floral aroma of Dolce and Gabbana Red is regarded as delicate and feminine. Neroli leaf freshness and papaya flower introduce the composition’s heart, which is dominated by white amaryllis, narcissus, and white water lily.
Overall, it is a fragrant aldehyde and floral fragrance that beautifully blends a range of different citruses and florals.
The opening of the scent is quite strong, with an assertive scent of citruses. The base creates a silky aroma, grounding the whole fragrance with musk and sandalwood.
For your convenience, I have included a breakdown of the accords present in this perfume:
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Basil, Citruses, Ivy, Mandarin Orange, Freesia and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Carnation, Marigold, Coriander, Orange Blossom, Lily, Jasmine, Bulgarian Rose and Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk and Tonka Bean
It is a luxurious, feminine scent suitable for formal and semiform evening occasions. It has remarkable sillage and lasts for a very long time, lasting up to 11 hours at times.
Which Perfumes Smell Like Dolce and Gabbana Red?
Since this beautiful fragrance has been discontinued by the brand and newer perfumes have been launched with the same name, it is very difficult to find D&G red at a reasonable price (or even find it at all).
This is why I have made a list of the best similar perfumes to the red D&G and broken each of the perfumes down for you.
So, to find the best D&G alternate for yourself, keep reading.
Here are my top picks for perfumes similar to Dolce and Gabbana red:
Zanzibar by Mahogany
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Petitgrain, Basil, Freesia and Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Carnation, Tagetes, Rose, Orange Blossom, Coriander, Jasmine and Lily
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Vanilla and Tonka Bean
Zanzibar by Mahogany is an Amber fragrance for women, with beautiful Floral notes that give it the same aura as D&G red.
If you notice the notes in the scent, you will see plenty of overlap between the two perfumes.
In fact, Zanzibar is one of the closest dupes of D&G Red. Moreover, it performs exceptionally well. Even when you compare it to D&G, it lasts very long.
So, if you want a very close dupe of D&G red, you should give this one a try.
When To Wear
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Dolce and Gabbana Red.
- Less expensive than D&G Red.
- Very long-lasting.
- Strong sillage.
- Beautiful scent.
Gaby by Paris Elysees
Top Notes: Mimosa and Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Jasmine
Base Notes: Sandalwood and Vanilla
Launched at a similar time to D&G Red, Gaby by Paris Elysees smells divine and quite similar to the vintage former. Even though they may not have all similar notes, the resemblance between the two perfumes is uncanny.
Gaby opens beautifully with citrus orange and tangy mimosa. As the scent develops, jasmine plays out at the heart of the scent before settling on warm notes of vanilla and sandalwood, giving a touch of sweet creaminess.
This perfume has remarkable performance for its price, and I would definitely suggest opting for this if you want a solid D&G alternative.
When To Wear
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Dolce and Gabbana Red.
- Less expensive than D&G Red.
- Versatile fragrance.
- Very long-lasting.
- Strong sillage.
Sweet Sour Classique by Linn Young
Sweet Sour Classique by Linn Young is a fantastic, cheaper dupe of D&G Red. It has a beautiful fragrance, delicious fruitiness, and a sophisticated floral aroma.
However, Sweet Sour doesn’t have as prominent layers or complexity as D&G Red, it is quite straightforward and simple in comparison.
It’s super cheap and ideal if you want an inexpensive dupe of D&G red to wear on the go.
When To Wear
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Dolce and Gabbana Red.
- Very affordable.
- It can be used as an everyday scent.
Mariella Burani by Mariella Burani
Top Notes: Brazilian Rosewood, Tarragon, Bergamot and Lemon
Middle Notes: iris, Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, Sandalwood, Benzoin, Musk, Patchouli and Vetiver
Launched in 1993, Mariella Burani by Mariella Burani is a beautifully feminine fragrance that encapsulates a blend of different floral hues.
It has quite a lot of overlaps with D&G red, starting from the pleasant citrus notes to the warm tones of vanilla, sandalwood and musk. The scent is potent and performs excellently.
Overall, it is an amazing option if you are looking for a perfume that is similar to D&G red but still not exactly the same.
When To Wear
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Dolce and Gabbana Red.
- Less expensive than D&G red.
- Excellent sillage.
- Great longevity.
Rose Oud by Illuminum
Top Notes: Lily-of-the-Valley, Jasmine, Coriander and Basil
Middle Notes: Moroccan Rose and Geranium
Base Notes: Agarwood (Oud), Castoreum and Patchouli
Rose Oud by Illuminum was created by Michael Boadi and released in 2011. While it’s much spicier and more exotic than D&G red, it has some positive similarities that make it a pleasant alternative to what we are looking for.
Rose Oud is a delightful scent with a mix of different white florals combined with the grounding notes of oud, castoreum and patchouli.
It is a great scent and an excellent alternative for D&G red.
When To Wear
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Dolce and Gabbana Red.
- Less expensive than D&G red.
- Excellent sillage and longevity.
Conclusion
Finding a decent knockoff or imitation for your chosen designer smell can be quite hectic, especially if the perfume has been discontinued.
But if the classic Dolce and Gabbana red is your favorite scent, don’t worry—these perfumes are among the best D&G knockoffs on the market.
Whether you prefer something fruitier, more floral, spicy, or a precise replica, you can find one that matches D&G red in my list at a very low price.
Tell me which perfume you’d like me to cover next so I can decide which scent I should evaluate next.
