By now, it's public knowledge that my fellow beauty editors and I are self-proclaimed fragrance freaks. From this ode to Frédéric Malle's $255 stunner, Portrait of a Lady, to my reveal showcasing the perfumes that consistently earn me the most compliments, we pretty much consider ourselves the dream team of perfume wearers and reviewers. We love doing deep dives into beloved perfume brands (Tom Ford, YSL, Dior, Chanel, or Gucci, anyone?), but we've been saving one special fragrance line for a rainy day. And today's that day!
I might have expensive taste when it comes to perfume, but Maison Margiela's cult-loved line of eau de toilettes called Replica is the rare breed of fragrance that smells worthy of a $300 price tag but is actually less than half of that. The cozy, time- and place-inspired collection features some of the most beloved scents in the industry (ahem, By the Fireplace will always be a classic), but at just $165 a bottle, it's also one of the most cost-effective ways to smell really, really good without sacrificing your bank account's well-being. Think about it this way: If you were to give yourself one healthy spritz per day, that breaks down to just 45 cents per wear. I mean, how can you resist that?
As an ode to our love for Replica, we reached out to Maison Margiela HQ for an official ranking of the most popular Replica perfumes to date. Curious to see which bottle is taking home the gold? Keep scrolling! Plus, discover the nine runners-up you also need on your fradar. (Fragrance plus radar—get it?)
#10: Maison Margiela Replica From the Garden
Top notes: Green Mandarin Essence, Grapefruit Essence, Blackcurrant Accord
Middle notes: Tomato Leaf Accord, Geranium Bourbon, Madagascar Rose Accord
Base notes: Indonesian Patchouli, Cristal Moss, White Musk
Don't get it twisted. Just because this juicy, vibrant perfume isn't number one on our list doesn't mean it isn't dreamy. You know that calming, zen-like feeling that envelopes you as you stroll through a fragrant garden or farmers market? Yep, this is the spritzable equivalent of that.
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#9: Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break
Top notes: Pepper Essence, Orange Flower Petals Firnat, Patchouli Prisma
Middle notes: Cypriol, Tonka Bean Absolute, Benzoin Siam Resinoid
Base notes: Vanilla Absolute, Cedarwood Entrainé, Vetiver
Coffee lovers, this one is for you! As someone with an unhealthy love for my morning cup of joe, I can easily admit that this is one of my favorite fragrances of all time—and not just within the Maison Margiela Replica set. Yes, the smell hints at a glorious caffeine buzz (blame mouth-watering notes like vanilla, lavender, pepper, patchouli, and orange flower petals), but it's not overdone or obvious. In other words, no one is going to smell you and think you spilled coffee all over yourself that morning. Instead, they're simply going to ask why you smell so dang divine.
#8: Maison Margiela Replica Springtime in a Park
Top notes: Pear Accord, Bergamot Essence, Blackcurrant Accord
Middle notes: Lily of the Valley Accord, Jasmine Grandiflorum Absolute, Rose Damascena Absolute
Base notes: Musks, Vanilla Accord, Ambrox
We aren't actually experiencing the onset of spring right now, but Replica's Springtime in a Park just hits different. Pack your picnic basket, grab your sunglasses, and call a friend—after just one sniff of this delicate fruity-floral concoction, you'll be in the mood for a stroll in the park ASAP.
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#7: Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day
Top notes: Aquatic Accord, Aldehydes Accord, Juniper Pure Jungle Essence
Middle notes: Coriander EO, Iris Absolute, Rose Superessence
Base notes: Red Seaweed Pure Jungle Essence, Ambergris Accord, Orcanox
"You smell soooooo good" is the automatic verbal reaction people have whenever I wear this enchanting perfume. It's preppy, it's nautical, and it's exactly how I imagine the Gossip Girl cast would smell atop a $100k sailboat, crisp with sea salt. Cheers!
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#6: Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees
Top notes: Kalamansi Flavor Accord, Petitgrain Essence, Cardamom Essence
Middle notes: Coriander Essence, Mate Absolute, Green Tea Extract
Base notes: Cedarwood Essence, Musks
Prepare yourself because all you'll be able to think about after dousing yourself with this perfume is limoncello ice cream, sunny days in the Mediterranean, and a rush of fresh-cut herbs. So yes, it's the quintessential summer scent you should snap up right this second.
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#5: Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning
Top notes: Pear Accord, Ambrette Seeds, Clean Accord
Middle notes: Iris Accord, Rose Petals, Orange Flower
Base notes: Patchouli Indonesia, White Woods, White & Creamy Musk
Who doesn't love a lazy Sunday morning complete with wisps of sunlight and freshly crinkled linen sheets? The correct answer is absolutely no one. Perhaps that's why Maison Margiela HQ told us that this cult-loved perfume is its fifth best seller. It's easy, it's breezy, and it's got this intoxicating "yep, I just woke up like this" vibe that's unequivocally unbothered and cool. In a word, it's beautiful.
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#4: Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath
Top notes: Crushed Leaves Accord, Freesia
Middle notes: Sambac Jasmine From India, Infusion of Egyptian Jasmine, Infusion of Tuberose, Rose From Grasse
Bases notes: Peach, Cedarwood, Oakmoss
Considering that Bubble Bath launched relatively recently in 2020, the fact that it's already reached number-four status in our ranking speaks oodles to its smell appeal. I'm personally obsessed, and as someone who grew up in the '90s and early 2000s, the sudsy, freshly powdered blend of coconut, soap bubble accord, jasmine, freesia, musks, and patchouli reawakens my wildest dreams of channeling Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. (You know the scene I'm talking about—someone, get me a Walkman!)
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#3: Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk
Top notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Lemon
Middle notes: Transluzone, Ylang-Ylang, Coconut Milk
Base notes: Musk, Cedar, Benzoin
I'm already dreaming of being on a beach in Malibu this summer. In the meantime, salty, sun-kissed skin; granules of sand in between my toes; and a creamy, coconut-spiked cocktail via this vibrant perfume will happily do.
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#2: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club
Top notes: Primofiore Lemon, Pink Pepper, Neroli Oil
Middle notes: Clary Sage Oil, Rum Absolute, Java Vetiver Oil
Base notes: Styrax Resin, Tobacco Leaf Absolute, Vanilla Bean
If there's anyone out there (like me) who thinks they're currently reincarnated but lived their absolute best former life in the smoky, shimmering haze of the roaring twenties, this best seller will become your fragrance cocktail of choice. Beads! Cigar smoke! Fringe! Jazz! The heady nature of Jazz Club is like a soul-warming pour of rum in the best way possible.
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#1: Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace
Top notes: Pink Pepper, Orange Flower Petals, Clove Oil
Middle notes: Chestnut Accord, Gaïac Wood Oil, Cade Oil
Base notes: Vanilla Accord, Peru Balsam, Cashmeran
Ah, you've made it! Say hello to Replica's best-selling perfume, By the Fireplace. While it might incite cozy thoughts complete with a crackling fire, roasted chestnuts, toasty marshmallows, and a floppy cocker spaniel shrouded in plaid fleece (I'm having fun with this—can you tell?), it's surprisingly perfect all year round. It is, in fact, obsession-worthy.
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This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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