What are scent families?

Scent families group perfumes according to their key characteristics – e.g. woody, floral or spicy. With so many products around and new ones always being launched, these classifications help you navigate the market and identify fragrances which best align with what you or the person you’re buying for love to wear.

In a nutshell, understanding the scent families makes it easier to focus your choices. After all, most of us gravitate towards some scent types more than others, every time.

Sometimes, fragrance families are further broken down into subfamilies, allowing for more specific descriptions.

Scent families at DIALECT Fragrances

At DIALECT, we offer high-quality duplicate perfumes – i.e. those which are based on and inspired by top-name designer scents without directly copying them, at a fraction of the original price tag. 

Here are our main scent families:

Ambery 

This ambery scent grouping’s aromas are characterised by rich, warm and sensual fragrances, frequently with notes of vanilla, spices like cloves, nutmeg or cinnamon, amber, resins (myrrh, frankincense or others) and woods such as sandalwood and cedarwood. While the vanilla adds a creamy sweetness, the amber adds a warm, resinous quality and the woods provide depth.

These perfumes often have layered, intricate formulations, bringing together varied notes, and are long-lasting.

Our ambery products include Amber Infusion, based on MFK’s Baccarat Rouge 540, and Aromatic Reverence, inspired by YSL’s Libre.

Floral 

This is one of the most popular, instantly recognisable fragrance families. These floral scents replicate those of fresh-cut flowers, from lily and jasmine to orange blossom and rose. Notes range from light and delicate to the more intense and complex. These scents are also often (although not always) associated with femininity. Floral fragrances can be further subdivided into, for example, soft and fruity florals.

Our flower-based perfumes include Sweet Bouquet, inspired by Lancôme’s La Vie Est Belle. Meanwhile, Blooming Passion replicates Gucci’s Bloom.

Woody 

This scent woody scent family is characterised by notes including sandalwood, cedarwood and patchouli. These warm, earthy perfumes have associations with both nature and luxury. They can also be dry, smoky and slightly sweet or resinous. There’s great potential for pairing with other fragrance notes, including citrus, spicy, leather and floral, to create complex, diverse products.

You can subdivide woody scents further into floral and aromatic subfamilies, among others.

At DIALECT, our woody fragrances include Flower Powder, inspired by Daisy from Marc Jacobs. 

Fruity

These fruity fragrances evoke the aromas of various fruits, characterised by juicy, sweet and frequently vibrant notes, such as citrus, tropical and stone fruits (e.g. peach and apricot) and berries. Scents are bright, sweet and juicy and can be combined with different fragrance families including floral and others, to add a vibrant, playful element.

Among our fruity fragrances are Peach Brulee, inspired by Tom Ford’s Bitter Peach, and Vibrant Woods, replicating Creed’s Aventus.

Citrus

Citrus fragrances are based on scents derived from these fruits, including grapefruit, bergamot, lemon and orange. Expect them to be fresh, bright and uplifting. There are also often tangy, sparkling notes, plus they’re ideal for daytime and warmer seasons or places.

You’ll love Citrus Untamed, based on Dior’s Sauvage, or Basil Lemonade, inspired by Jo Malone’s Lime Basil & Mandarin.

Vanilla 

Vanilla scents are mainly associated with ambery perfumes, but can also be part of the gourmand family, which evokes food-based scents including coffee and chocolate. They also intensify woody aromas, increasing their warmth and depth. So this intriguing ingredient transcends myriad fragrance families.

From DIALECT, try Spicy Vanilla Obsession, duplicating Black Opium from YSL.

Spicy 

The spicy family is warm, vibrant and intense, with long-lasting scents evoking energy plus a hint of mystery. Think cinnamon, clove, pepper, and cardamom or nutmeg and pepper. ‘Hot’ spices include black pepper, ‘cold’ ones pink pepper and ginger. These scents often contrast with or enhance woody or floral scents.

Check out our Tobacco Opulence, based on Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille.

Gourmand

This gourmand family evokes edible, sweet-smelling or savoury treats, from chocolate, honey and caramel to coffee, and can have feminine or masculine notes. Sometimes spices like cinnamon are incorporated into these warm, comforting aromas, which are versatile and often complex.

Within this category, we offer Amber Dream, which recreates Mugler’s Alien. 

Fougere

Fougere is a classic, popular family famous for its masculine personality. These scents evoke freedom and sophistication. Its name comes from the French word for fern, and key notes include lavender, geranium, vetiver and bergamot. Their aromas are often described as grassy, ferny or woody.

Sniff out Aromatic Reverence, our take on YSL’s Libre. 

Aquatic

The aquatic fragrance family captures water’s essence and the freshness of lakes, oceans and rain. Notes are clean, crisp and often have hints of seaweed and salt. They’re for men and women, while their refreshing lightness makes them ideal for warmer months. Sound good? Check out our version of Wood Sage & Sea Salt by Jo Malone, Aromatic Sagewood, representing the salty spray of a mineral autumn. 

Musky 

This musky scent family of sweet, rich scents adds depth and longevity to fragrances as a base note. Musk is often combined with other notes like floral, woody, or spicy elements within the broader amber family. 

Sniff out our Flower Powder, based in Daisy by Marc Jacobs. 

Aromatic

The aromatic group is all about botanical notes, especially those you’d find in kitchen herbs or gardens. They’re fresh, energising and clean – think rosemary, thyme, basil, mint and lavender. They’re often female fragrances, although they also have a masculine quality.

Ours include Basil Lemonade, inspired by Jo Malone’s Lime Basil & Mandarin.                

Powdery 

Last, but not least, powdery scents recall baby and talcum powders or make-up, so they’ll feel soft and comforting but also have a timeless, almost vintage appeal. Notes include iris, violet and vanilla, among others. This family is subtly elegant and versatile.

Sound like something you’d like? Take a look at Floral Harmony, whose inspiration is Chloe, by Chloe.

There are so many reasons it makes scents to choose DIALECT for all your duplicate fragrances! For starters, we’re passionate about quality ingredients, ethical production processes and fair prices. We also offer prompt delivery, no-quibbles returns and free, 24-hour delivery on all orders worth over £49.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get 10% off your first order. We also run regular offers such as 30% off when you use the code Payday 30.

Browse all our fragrance families, and get in touch if you have any questions.