"Smells expensive" isn't only about the price on the box. Certain fragrances read as luxurious because of what's inside them: rich, unusual materials, notes you won't find on the high street, and a smooth, blended quality that feels considered rather than cheap. Many of those scents come from niche houses where a bottle can cost well over £150. The happy truth is that the character which makes them smell expensive can be captured for a fraction of the outlay. Here are our inspired Eau de Parfums that punch far above their price.
What makes a perfume smell expensive?
A few things, mostly: quality-feeling materials like oud, ambergris, saffron and resins; an interesting, unexpected twist rather than a generic "fresh" accord; good longevity and projection, so it lasts and radiates; and a seamless blend where no single note sticks out awkwardly. Get those right and a fragrance feels luxurious whatever it cost to buy.
The scents that smell like a small fortune
ZAG Zodiak 543 BR
Inspired by Baccarat Rouge 540, perhaps the most "expensive-smelling" fragrance of the modern era: a glowing amber of saffron, jasmine and cedar that people stop you in the street to ask about. Unisex. 543 BR, inspired by Baccarat Rouge 540
ZAG Zodiak 251 AV
Inspired by Aventus, the fruity-smoky benchmark that became a status symbol in its own right. Pineapple, birch and oakmoss, polished and quietly confident. our Aventus-inspired 251 AV
ZAG Zodiak 563 PL
Inspired by Portrait of a Lady, a lavish, incense-laced rose adored by fragrance connoisseurs. Rich, dramatic and unmistakably high-end. 563 PL, inspired by Portrait of a Lady
ZAG Zodiak 427 ON
Inspired by Ombre Nomade, a smoky oud with a jammy raspberry heart; the kind of deep, resinous scent that reads as pure luxury. 427 ON, inspired by Ombre Nomade
ZAG Zodiak 551 EP
Inspired by Erba Pura, a sparkling fruity amber from a celebrated niche house, brighter and far more refined than its cheerful character first suggests. our Erba Pura-inspired 551 EP
ZAG Zodiak 554 BA
Inspired by Bal d'Afrique, a chic, airy blend of neroli, violet and vetiver with real minimalist cool. Effortlessly expensive-smelling. 554 BA, inspired by Bal d'Afrique
ZAG Zodiak 593 AR
Inspired by Attrape-Rêves, a plush peony-and-cocoa floral that feels indulgent and comforting at once. 593 AR, inspired by Attrape-Rêves
ZAG Zodiak 362 ME
Inspired by Elixir des Merveilles, a warm amber-orange with a salted-caramel glow; distinctive, grown-up and hard to place, which is exactly why it reads as costly. our Elixir des Merveilles-inspired 362 ME
Warm, woody and gourmand luxuries
ZAG Zodiak 366 TV
Inspired by Tobacco Vanille, opulent pipe tobacco and vanilla; a byword for cosy luxury in the colder months. 366 TV, inspired by Tobacco Vanille
ZAG Zodiak 415 OW
Inspired by Oud Wood, a smooth, refined oud that made the note wearable for everyone. Understated and expensive to the nose. our Oud Wood-inspired 415 OW
ZAG Zodiak 432 AS
Inspired by Angels' Share, a rich cognac-and-cinnamon gourmand with a decadent, boozy warmth. 432 AS, inspired by Angels' Share
ZAG Zodiak 553 BP
Inspired by Bitter Peach, a juicy, over-ripe peach wrapped in rum and vanilla; indulgent and full of character. 553 BP, inspired by Bitter Peach
The bottom line
Smelling expensive is about the quality and creativity of a scent, not the label on the bottle. Every fragrance above is a full-strength inspired Eau de Parfum made to capture exactly that luxurious character for a fraction of the price. Explore our best-sellers, browse women's and men's, or, if you're not sure what suits you, start by finding your scent family.
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