If you ask me about my first encounter with a proper perfume, I will name Chinatown by Bond No 9. I was barely a teen when I sniffed it from my aunty.
Chinatown isn’t merely a beautiful aromatic fragrance to me but a bottle that retained my best days in every splash.
Hence, I thought of discovering some alternatives to Chinatown and would love to share them with you.
So, stay till the end!
What Does Bond No 9 Chinatown Smell Like?
The first splash of Chinatown releases a floral and fruity sensation of peach blossom, which blends in the fresh, white floral, and green vibe of tuberose and gardenia at heart. While drying, it radiates a vanillic smell alongside the woody and spicy accords.
Chinatown was released in 2005, and Aurelien Guichard formulated this fantastic piece.
Let’s take a look at the notes profile of Chinatown:
Top Notes: Peach Blossom, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Tuberose, Gardenia, Peony, Orange Blossom
Base Notes: Cardamom, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Guaiac Wood, Patchouli, Virginia Cedar
At the top, peach blossom produces a creamy and fruity aroma. Plus, you can perceive a subtle citrusy hint of bergamot.
After a while, an intoxicating floral, green, and powdery sensation of tuberose, gardenia, and orange blossom replaces the short-lived opening.
Ultimately, it drizzles a spicy hunch of cardamom in the base, and vanilla reinforces the spicy tint with a sweetness underneath. Later, a timbering and buttery twist comes from sandalwood, guaiac wood, and cedar.
It stays for 10 hours on the skin and offers strong sillage. Also, the projection will bring you a lot of praise.
What Perfumes Are Similar To Bond No 9 Chinatown?
Chinatown was marketed around 20 years ago. It’s really amusing to see so much hype regarding this perfume to this day.
I made sure to pick the appropriate substitute for Chinatown so that none of your time or money goes to vain.
Here are the top 7 alternatives to Bond No 9 Chinatown:
1. MyOilPerfume Inspired by Chinatown Bond No 9
MyOilPerfume is a brand that makes inspired replicas of famous fragrances. Likewise, they have launched this perfume oil, an exact clone of Chinatown.
I got this from a friend and am glad that I used it. My expectations were not optimal, but I was stunned after seeing the performance. If you are short on budget to afford Chinatown, just buy this inspired version instead.
The notes have a dominance of tuberose. It creates a floral, sweet, and refreshing sensation. Plus, other floral notes infuse a powdery and aromatic vibe.
Then, a sweet and spicy aroma of vanilla flourishes with a zesty hint of cardamom.
It dries, producing a wooded aura, and it’s pretty lingering on the body.
This scent offered moderate longevity. It lasted 6 hours for me. However, it performed a little better on my friend. The projection is excellent, and it leaves an arm-length trail.
When to Wear
It is suitable for the fall and winter. I prefer using it during the spring. One can apply it at any event from day to night.
Why Should You Buy
- Exact dupe of Chinatown.
- A good option for perfume oil lovers.
- Sold in different sizes.
- Positive user review.
2. Chiffon Oriflame
Top Notes: White Flower, Geranium, Ylang-Ylang, Plum
Middle Notes: Tuberose, Cedar, Patchouli
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Orange Blossom
Chiffon by Oriflame is an outstanding substitute for Chinatown. I believe it is one of those floral fragrances you will love any day, at any time.
At the top, the Chiffon is packed with floral notes. White flowers give off a floral and sweet smell. Plus, a rosy nuance of geranium infuses a powdery aroma. Slowly, ylang-ylang creates a refreshing green twist with a fruity tint of plum.
In the middle, the floral vibe of tuberose persists due to the presence of tuberose. Also, cedar and patchouli offer a musky and woody sensation at this stage.
A creamy and timbered hunch of sandalwood flourishes in the base. Later, the musky and spicy notes unlock upon maturing.
Its longevity isn’t eternal, but it works fine for short outings. And one more thing, the sillage is good.
When to Wear
Chiffon is multipurpose. Thus, consider applying it at any time of the year and on all occasions. It’s great for the day but fits the night ambiance, too. I find it appropriate for outdoor activities.
Why Should You Buy
- Decent price point.
- Moderate longevity.
- Classic piece.
- Refreshing and soothing.
3. White Jeans Versace
Top Notes: Spices, Galbanum, Plum, Peach, Orange Blossom
Middle Notes: Tuberose, Carnation, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Gardenia, Rose, Lily
Base Notes: Cinnamon, Leather, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Patchouli
White Jeans by Versace is one of the iconic pieces of time. And if you ask me to choose any Bond No 9 Chinatown dupe, I will pick this every time.
White Jeans begins spreading a spicy hint and the fruity and sweet tinge of plum and peach. Plus, geranium unlocks a floral and powdery vibe.
The core of this perfume has overflowing floral notes. I love it because of the enriched blossomy feature.
White floral tuberose, aromatic jasmine, rich and fruity ylang-ylang, green and earthy gardenia, powdery rose, and the spicy and waxy lily collaborate to produce the most mesmerizing aroma in the heart.
It sets in, creating a woody and leathery aura. Later, a sweet and spicy sensation of vanilla merges with the smoky and spicy tonka bean and musky patchouli in the base.
This perfume is underrated, and I think it deserves more love than it received. Although there are many best-smelling Versace perfumes, this one is beloved to me.
It lasts for 8 hours effortlessly. Plus, the sillage is room-filling; you will get a massive projection from it.
When to Wear
White Jeans is best suited for the cooler months of winter and fall. You can wear it from dawn to dusk. Plus, it goes well in a temperature-controlled environment.
Why Should You Buy
- Popular fragrance.
- Impressive projection and sillage.
- Unique packaging.
- Premium substitute for Chinatown.
- Unisex.
4. V WIDIAN
Top Notes: Cinnamon, Peach, Lemon
Middle Notes: Tuberose, Orange Blossom, Solar Notes
Base Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Cedar
V by Widian smells similar to Chinatown Bond No 9. Although you may not find identical note profiles in both, these are actually akin to each other.
In the first sniff of V, you will receive a warm, powdery, and spicy aroma of cinnamon. Peach adds a fruity touch, and the citrusy lemon gives a refreshing vibe.
Moments ahead, the fresh, sweet, and floral sensation of tuberose and orange blossom spreads into the environment.
Finally, a transition from the floral heart to a sweet, spicy, wooded twist happens due to the presence of vanilla and cedar in the base. Plus, it has a lightly sweet tint of caramel.
My friend introduced me to this fantastic dupe of Chinatown. It’s not easy to predict how long a perfume will last. That’s why I try my level best to test each fragrance and give you authentic feedback.
It lasted 8 hours for me and my friend. The projection is tremendous.
When to Wear
V by Widian fits the cooler months most. You can wear it day or night. It has a nice, flirty vibe, so consider it for a date night.
Why Should You Buy
- Long-lasting.
- Unique note formulation.
- Pleasing dry down.
- Lovely gourmand touch.
5. Tra i Ciliegi L’Erbolario
Top Notes: Cherry Blossom, Sicilian Orange, Italian Mandarin, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Wild Rose, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Musk
Another legendary substitute for Chinatown is Tra i Ciliegi by L’Erbolario. If you are also a fan of cherry blossoms like me, don’t forget to try it out.
The first splash of Tra i Ciliegi offers a floral and green aroma of cherry blossom. Plus, Sicilian orange and bergamot create a tangy edge.
Hereafter, the sweet and aromatic hint of jasmine sambac prevails in the core. Also, powdery wild rose and creamy sandalwood generate a mood-stimulating vibe.
While drying, a spicy, sweet, and musky twist of tonka bean and patchouli circulates in the air.
My friend has been using it for a few years. According to her, it offers average longevity and sillage. As much as I perceived, the aura travels a decent distance.
When to Wear
It is suitable for a hot summer day. I will not recommend this scent for night events. My friend loves it for a brunch date in spring.
Why Should You Buy
- Cute packaging.
- A fair amount of sillage and projection.
- Reasonable price.
- Charming feminine touch.
6. You Desigual
Top Notes: Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Rhubarb, Grapefruit, Violet
Middle Notes: Tonka Bean, Benzoin, Cedar, Musk, Orange Blossom
Base Notes: Praline, Coffee, Cardamom
You by Desigual is the first perfume I bought for myself. It is a wonderful alternative to Chinatown at an affordable range.
From the very spritz of You, a sharp, zesty smell of bergamot and grapefruit hits the nose. Also, a spicy-fruity twist of rhubarb shows up.
The core produces an ambery, sweet, and spicy sensation. Plus, you will perceive a wooded hint of cedar and orange blossom’s floral aura there.
In the base, coffee and praline infuse a gourmet and bitter aroma. Later, cardamom amplifies the fizzy tint.
It lasted roughly 6 hours on me. However, the projection and sillage easily can compete with any high-end fragrance.
When to Wear
You by Desigual suits the colder months of fall and winter. You can wear it in the spring. It goes along with both day and night events. In my view, this one is office-friendly.
Why Should You Buy
- Both males and females can apply.
- Compliment getter.
- Refreshing opening.
- Eye-catching bottle.
- Brightens up the mood.
7. Sheherazade Jean Desprez
Sheherazade by Jean Desprez is an antiquated Bond No 9 Chinatown dupe. It was initially released in 1939 and re-launched in 1983 again.
This masterpiece has reigned this far due to the sophisticated and elegant vibe it offers. I got a sample of this perfume, but looking forward to buying the full size in the future.
A vibrant floral hint from carnation merges with the rich flavor of ylang-ylang and powdery rose and together, they produce a mind-boosting aura.
I got a little citrusy smell of bergamot and a slightly fruity touch of cassia in the following stage. However, they are not strong enough to sense for the nose.
Then, a sweet and spicy aroma of vanilla becomes potent.
As the fragrance slowly matures, it infuses a creamy, buttery wooded sandalwood sensation. Later, the ambery tinge of opoponax comes to light.
It lasted more than 10 hours for me. Nevertheless, my sister thinks this scent is not long-lasting enough.
I suggested she apply it to specific points on the body. This time, it was more long-lasting. Hence, it implies where you apply perfume makes a big difference in longevity.
When to Wear
It is an appropriate choice for the fall. You can pick it for the winter, too. From morning to evening, this masterpiece suffices any environment.
Why Should You Buy
- 10 hours of longevity.
- Tremendous projection.
- Good value for the price.
- Vintage vibe.
- Buildable coverage.
Final Verdict
Bond No 9 Chinatown is an incredible perfume. Although I have some emotional connection to it, many of you are also interested in the alternatives available for this piece of art.
Thus, I have done my careful analysis to sort the best-performing Bond No 9 Chinatown dupes.
Hope this article is worthwhile for you. Take Care!