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These 7 Quiet Luxury-Coded Perfumes Prove Wealth Whispers
They smell like old money and a house on Nantucket.
I love a bag plastered with Gucci logos as much as the next person. But there’s just something so chic about a person who looks expensive, not “rich.” Their manicure is always fresh, their skin is glowing and natural, and their shirts are pressed and made of 100 percent cotton. Quiet luxury, as they say. But the perfect complement to the look is an expensive-smelling perfume.
What makes a perfume quiet luxury, you ask? These scents whisper rather than scream. They’re subdued. They don’t need to be #beastmode or in your face with strength and longevity to prove that they’re worth the high price tag. They could have a variety of notes—vanilla, bergamot, musk, pink pepper, jasmine—but they’re always smooth and well-rounded.
Need some help finding the best perfume for you? Read on for Cosmo editors top picks for smelling like you’ve got a house in the Hamptons.
Why we love it: Not only is this bottle adorable and chic as hell, but the scent inside is playful without veering too youthful.
Cosmo editor's review: “The ad for this fragrance was all over my Netflix (yes, I pay for the cheapest option), and I instantly was drawn to the carefree, yet sophisticated vibes. The scent mirrors the campaign completely: it’s grown-up smelling but still playful and light and the floral notes feel modern and fresh.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
| Notes | Strawberry, vanilla, gardenia, brown sugar |
| Scent family | Fruity and sweet |
| Sizes available | 0.34, 1, 1.7, and 3.4 oz |
Why we love it: When you put on Merit Retrospect, you don’t smell like anything in particular. Not marshmallows and flowers or a banana split. You smell just plain good. Like your skin naturally smells like a rich person is supposed to.
Cosmo editor review: "You know when you finally find the perfect (but slightly expensive) white T shirt and you’re like: “holy shit this is worth every dollar—I’ll wear this all the time and a million different ways?” That’s Retrospect. It’s indulgent, but good for everyday and the clean, skin-like scent easy to wear, whether you’re a perfume novice or full-on nose."—LB
| Notes | Bergamot, pear, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, orris, violet, vanilla, musk |
| Scent family | Floral and musk |
| Sizes available | 0.32 and 1 oz |
Why we love it: Yes, the citrus in here is strong and bright (and beautiful), but it backs up into an airy floral scent. There’s a reason the queen of quiet luxury, Sofia Richie Grainge, is such a fan.
Cosmo editor’s review: “News flash: Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom was the signature scent of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding, so if that's not enticing enough to make you wanna try it, maybe its gorge notes are: Clementine flower, white lilac, and vetiver come together to create the freshest and floral perfume that’s truly unique—and, ahem, fit for royalty.”—SIENA GAGLIANO, FORMER ASSOCIATE EDITOR
| Notes | Clementine flower, white lilac, orris wood |
| Scent family | Floral |
| Sizes available | 1 and 3.4 oz |
Why we love it: I mean, what is luxury without Chanel? But this underrated gem feels more, well, understated than the house’s traditional lineup.
Cosmo editor’s review: “When people talk about Chanel perfumes, the conversation usually starts with the icons: Chanel No.5, Coco Mademoiselle, maybe Chance Eau Tendre. Meanwhile, Jersey Les Exclusifs Eau de Parfum sits quietly on the sidelines being an absolute gem of a juice. But tbh, that’s part of the appeal. Jersey is one of those insider fragrances that beauty people, perfume lovers, and women with excellent taste (ahem!) tend to discover and keep to themselves.
One of the first things you need to know about Jersey is that it’s named after the fabric (one of Coco’s favorite textiles), not the state. The dominating notes are lavender, vanilla, white musk, tonka bean, and rose. Literally a combo that feels feminine, cozy and mysterious in all the right ways — from first spritz to the dry down. It’s the fragrance I reach for on low-key date nights or a business meeting where I want to be memorable without trying too hard. It’s my fragrance equivalent of confidence and grace. So again, in a lineup of full of legends, Jersey remains the understated legend. But maybe not for long.”—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
| Notes | Lavender, bourbon vanilla, white musk |
| Scent family | Fresh and sweet |
| Sizes available | 2.5 and 6.8 fl oz |
Why we love it: Nothing is more “quiet luxury” than smelling like a hotel lobby. And this one is actually the signature scent of the Edition hotels. It’s smooth and sexy.
Cosmo editor's review: "I go feral for fig notes in a perfume, so I'm not shocked that this spicy, black-tea fragrance is one of my top favorites from Le Labo. It's fresh and crisp, thanks to the bergamot and fig, but has a smooth, warm finish from musk and cedar. And ooooh, the tobacco note gives it a deep, smokier finish. I wear this when I wanna be wrapped up in a cozy cashmere blanket (or smell like I'm at the Edition—IYKYK)."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
| Notes | Fig, bergamot, cedar, vetiver, musk, tobacco |
| Scent family | Warm and spicy |
| Sizes available | 0.5, 1.7, 3.4 oz |
Why we love it: Coconut milk, almond, vanilla, tonka, and créme brulee—you’d think this would smell like a dessert, but it doesn’t. It’s yummy without smelling like food, thanks to some added jasmine and musk.
Cosmo editor’s review: “Gourmands have a tendency to smell juvenile. And in certain situations, love that. But this one is the most sophisticated vanilla I’ve ever smelled. It goes on my skin warm and soft, like I’m just coated in a Lola blanket, but it’s still light enough for all-year-round wear.”—BG
| Notes | Mandarin, coconut milk, almond, hazelnut, vanilla, tonka bean, jasmine, créme brulee, white amber, sweet musk |
| Scent family | Gourmand |
| Sizes available | 1.7 oz |
Why we love it: Devil Tender smells like a dewy floral. It’s not tropical or garden-like—just like you have a bed of flowers outside your home. Bc you’re rich! Of course you do!
Cosmo editor’s review: “I think quiet luxury is about nuance, and Ex Nihilo’s Devil Tender definitely got that memo. It opens with pink grapefruit, pink pepper, and peach. It's bright, juicy, and just flirtatious enough to keep things interesting. Then the rose steps in, but not your grandma’s rose. This rose is fresh, velvety, and polished, but far from boring. Like someone who loves a bougie brunch with her girlfriends, but spends the whole time dissecting messy celebrity breakups. Did I just describe myself? Yup.
What really seals the deal for me in this perfume is the suede accord layered with sandalwood and cedar. It gives up the vibe of a skin scent, but with pizazz. This is one of the five to six fragrances in my collection that is complemented every single time I wear it. Devil Tender is for the person who knows being memorable doesn’t mean being loud. They’re not posting their every move, probably not tagging brands in their OOTD post, and definitely not explaining themselves. This scent is so chic, so modern, and quietly devastating. Perfection.”—JW
| Notes | Pink grapefruit, pink pepper, peach, rose water, sandalwood, suede accord, white cedarwood |
| Scent family | Floral |
| Sizes available | 1.7 and 3.4 oz |
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing fragrance stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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