These subtle 'Quiet Luxury' scents will leave you smelling expensive—without breaking the bank

Right now, the world seems to be obsessed with all things 'Quiet Luxury', from fashion to jewelry, the concept of subtle expense is everywhere—and now, it's coming for our best perfume arsenal...

The premise of 'quiet luxury' effectively refers to timeless pieces that look expensive or designer but lack obvious branding or the mega price tag and we can apply the same parameters to our favorite floral perfumes. Think classic perfume notes like rose or jasmine, with hints of more complex, niche aromas of wood and musk—the sort of fragrance that isn't glaringly obvious but still makes you smell effortlessly sophisticated.

So, if you're looking to capture that subtle bougie vibe with a new signature scent, here's what makes a scent, quiet luxury according to the experts—plus our own chic perfume picks...

Quiet Luxury perfumes: our picks of refined and chic scents

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’68 Beija Flor™ Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

RRP: from $24 for 3.04 fl oz

Of course, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume deserves a spot on this list, but with its heft price tag, it's another scent that toes the line of being overtly luxury. That being said, this Sol De Janeiro body mist is widely regarded as a Baccarat 540 dupe for the chic perfume! A few spritzes of this and no one could tell it came out of a pink plastic bottle.

Glossier You Eau de Parfum

RRP: $68 for 1.7 fl oz

Glossier You is another iconic scent that just oozes chic. It's a skin scent that smells a little different on everyone, making its blend of pink pepper, iris and abrox a true signature in your collection.

ZARA Rose Gourmand Eau De Parfum

RRP: $29.90 for 2.71 fl oz

This classy scent has been dubbed a dupe for Chloe, with its botanical blend of jasmine, peony and rose, interlaced with sweet caramel, vanilla and hints of rich and musky amber. A perfectly complex but soft fragrance.

Maison Margiela ’REPLICA’ Lazy Sunday Morning

RRP: from $85 for 1 fl oz

This scent is light and soft, like a literal Sunday morning, with its makeup of lily of the valley, iris and white musk. It's powdery and floral but subtle and intimate. It won't fill a room, but it will have heads turning.

CHANEL N°5 L’EAU

RRP: from $105 for 1.2 fl oz

Of course, a Chanel scent had to be on the somewhere as the brand itself is the epitome of elegance. This perfume has notes of rose, jasmine, citrus, mandarin and ylang-ylang, finished with warm cedar and cottony musk. It's soft and graceful, with jasmine especially, being a scent Webber says to look for.

For an even more mature and expensive moment, opt for the OG Chanel N°5 also at Sephora.

ESTÉE LAUDER Bronze Goddess Eau de Parfum

RRP: $85 for 1.7 fl oz

For a summery option, this fragrance brings all those Italian vacation vibes with its blend of bergamot, amber, tiare flower, jasmine, vanilla, cashmere wood, mandarin, musk and coconut.

Le Labo Another 13

RRP: from $99 for 0.5 fl oz

We suppose Le Labo is more on the loud luxury spectrum, but their scents just smell so expensive and are the true definition of a signature scent. Another 13 itself boasts a blend of ambroxan, jasmine petals, musk, moss and amber notes. Santal 33 is another great option and P.S. there are plenty of Le Labo Santal 33 dupes available too.

Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne

RRP: from $80 for 1 fl oz

This classic Jo Malone perfume features those floral and musky hints that Webber says are common attributes of a 'quiet luxury' fragrance. Its combination of bluebell, persimmon and  white musk is light, powdery and clean

Le Labo Fleur d'Oranger 27 Eau de Parfum

RRP: from $99 for 0.5 fl oz

This is another expensive-smelling scent from Le Labo, with its warm and floral mixture of bergamot, lemon, petitgrain, orange blossom, jasmine, vetiver and musk. Ideal for both a sophisticated Office perfume and a chic, everyday fragrance.

What is a 'Quiet Luxury' perfume?

A 'Quiet Luxury' scent is timeless but understated, these scents aren't spritzed for attention, but they do exude confidence and sophistication. As Jonny Webber, PerfumeDirect.com's fragrance expert explains: "Quiet luxury in fragrance choice represents a refined and understated approach to selecting and wearing perfumes that exude sophistication without being overtly flashy or attention-grabbing. It embodies a shift away from ostentatious displays of wealth and a preference for more nuanced and discerning tastes.

"Instead of choosing eye-wateringly expensive perfumes or aftershaves because of the ‘label’ and what the aroma ‘says’ in terms of wealth, consumers are selecting quality fragrances, that have all the necessary benefits of a well-produced perfume, but that subtly say ‘confident class’."

Webber adds, wearers of these refined, high-quality perfumes, "appreciate the subtle nuances of a fragrance and understand that true luxury lies not in flashy displays but in the discerning choices they make."

What are 'Quiet Luxury' perfume notes?

Webber says floral perfumes are often attributed to affluence, as well as more rare and niche scents like woods and spices. He notes: "The fragrance notes associated with quiet luxury often lean towards classic and timeless profiles, avoiding excessive trend-chasing.

"They may include elegant floral notes like rose, jasmine, or iris, combined with subtle hints of woods, musks, and delicate spices. These fragrances are designed to evoke a sense of sophistication, refinement, and a touch of exclusivity."

It's all about intentionally crafted scents, that feature quality ingredients and are multi-dimensional, rather than generic. Webber also adds that long-lasting perfumes and notes also evocate a more luxurious vibe.

Think of soft scents that just give elegance with every whiff and keep you coming back for more.