Love Chanel N°5? Here Are 5 Alternatives To Buy On A Budget

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The iconic Chanel N°5 requires no introduction. It is more than just a perfume, it is a symbol of refinement that has existed since the founding of the iconic house of Chanel in 1921. Imagine being the 'it girl' of the fragrance world for more than a century, such is the charisma and peak of desire for this perfume.

Whether it's Marilyn Monroe making it a myth by admitting she only wore a few drops in bed or Andy Warhol printing it out as a pop art icon, the luxurious status of this fragrant liquid gold isn't going away anytime soon.

Now while we're all for retail therapy, INR 13,125 seems like a lot to pay for a 100ml perfume bottle. So we set out to find dupes with a similar scent—think floral, spicy, musky, and woody notes. To be honest, finding an identical alternative for something as nuanced as perfume is impossible, but we have delivered keeping in mind similar notes.

The Body Shop Wild Jasmine Eau De Toilette

₹1995

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You know when the internet discovers a dupe and the whole world goes crazy over it? This is exactly what happened with the The Body Shop fragrance that's a gorgeous blend of wood and florals similar to the Chanel N°5. The top notes of the jasmine and base notes of the iris mimic the signature Chanel perfume which is slightly less nuanced and great for people who find the Chanel N°5 a little aggressive. It's not as long-lasting as Chanel as it's an eau de toilette (EDT) whereas Chanel N°5 is an EDP (Eau De Parfum) but we have to commit, the staying power is quite impressive in comparison to other EDT's in the market.

Pro-Tip: Confused between EDT and EDP? Read about out the different types of perfumes here.

Marks & Spencer Amber Eau De Toilette

₹999

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Another affordable alternative (priced at only INR 999) is the Marks & Spencer Amber Eau De Toilette which has more of a woody touch to it than the florals because of the spicy citrus notes that sit on a base of amber and sandalwood. If you don't incline towards floral scents, then this one's the best option! What's more to love is that Marks & Spencer's fragrances are vegan while Chanel's aren't. Since it's an EDT, you will have to reapply every three to four hours to refresh the fragrance, but otherwise, it is a phenomenal woody scent.

Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau De Parfum

₹9300

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This luxurious fragrance is a massive fan favourite, thanks to the irresistible notes of jasmine sumbac interplaying with tonka bean and cocoa for that vanilla-like sweetness. The notes are pretty much the same honestly; the zesty citrus punch from the high notes of the lemon, the floral middle notes of the jasmine, tuberose and Bulgarian rose, and the base notes of tonka bean and sandalwood for that whiff of subtle but sweet woodiness. Also, the packaging is super stylish and would be a highlight to add to your vanity.

Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau De Toilette

₹8800

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Honestly, there's only a thousand rupees difference between this Tom Ford fragrance and Chanel N°5 but the reason for including it on the list is that it has the same jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood, lemon and amber nuances to it, but is more on the spicy side because of its truffle, gardenia, white musk notes. A lot of people feel the Chanel N°5 is a little too complex for their liking, so this one's a more pronounced and clean scent that won't be confusing to the nose. The TF Black Orchid plays well with oxidisation after application, unlike the Chanel one which gets little powdery after long hours at times.

Armaf Club De Nuit Eau De Parfum

Armaf Club De Nuit Eau De Parfum For Women

₹3700

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Made in the UAE, the land of exquisite ouds, this fruity-floral fragrance has the same floral meets woody fragrance sensibility. With overlapping notes like bergamot for the top notes, orange substituting for the citric of the lemon, and rose and jasmine in the middle notes along with musk, patchouli, vetiver and vanilla for the base notes, it pretty much gives you the same scent as the Chanel No° 5 at a lower price point. Also, the top notes have peach and grapefruit notes that give it a fruity soul which not only adds a breeze of lightness to the fragrance, but also makes it appropriate for daily wear.

Pro tip

Looking for dupes of other Chanel bestsellers? Check out our list of the closest alternatives to their most iconic products here.

Written By Siya Chopra

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An opinionated Gen-z beauty enthusiast who knows about a beauty product even before it goes viral, watch this space for the best recommendations :)