I mean, let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to smell like they just strolled outta a fancy NYC boutique without actually *spending* the price of a fancy NYC boutique trip? It’s the dream, people. The DREAM.
So, I’ve been digging around, and honestly? The world of perfume dupes is WILD. You got your straight-up copycats, and then you got stuff that’s “inspired by,” which is basically code for “we smelled it, and we made something kinda like it, but legally different.” *winks*
I saw some chatter ’bout Dua Fragrances doing a whole “Inspired by Bond No. 9” collection. Now, I haven’t personally tried them all (yet!), but that definitely sounds promising. Like, if they’re specifically targeting Bond No. 9 vibes, that’s a good starting point, ya know?
Then there’s the whole individual scent thing. Like, if you’re obsessed with, say, TriBeCa (which is apparently a popular one), there are, like, *lists* of “similar fragrances.” Amour Nocturne gets a shoutout on one of ’em. I haven’t smelled it myself, but the online perfume community is a force, so it’s probably worth checking out.
And speaking of specific Bond No. 9 scents, apparently West Side is a musk and rose kinda deal. I saw someone saying it’s “aldehydic” which… okay, fancy perfume talk. But the gist is, it’s a musky rose that might not be worth the hefty price tag for everyone. So, the hunt for a cheaper alternative is ON!
Honestly, finding a true *exact* dupe is tough. Perfume is so subjective, and plus, Bond No. 9 uses some seriously high-quality ingredients, probably. But the goal isn’t necessarily to find a carbon copy, right? It’s about finding something that gives you a similar *feeling*. A similar vibe. That luxurious, sophisticated, “I’m-ruling-the-world-from-my-Manhattan-penthouse” energy. Even if you’re actually ruling the world from your couch in sweatpants. No judgement.
Someone mentioned Bond No 9 Greenwich Village being an amber floral with powdery, aquatic, tropical, vanilla notes. That’s a lot going on! But it gives you an idea of the scent profile to look for in alternatives. Don’t be afraid to use that as a guide when browsing!