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My Imperfect Life
My Imperfect Life
Naomi Jamieson

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

'Quiet Luxury' perfumes from Jo Malone, Le Labo and Chanel on a pink, purple and blue textured template

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

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.

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