Chanel No 5

Chanel No 5, inspired by Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum (1986)

Aldehydes are synthetic materials that smell clean and effervescent, a little like a freshly snuffed candle or starched linen, and they give N°5 its unmistakable first impression. Under that sparkle, rose and jasmine form a dense floral core with a faint citrus edge. Over time the fizz recedes and the flowers turn powdery. Vanilla rounds off the finish without making it sugary.

About the original

Ernest Beaux created N°5 for Gabrielle Chanel in 1921, and she named it after the fifth sample he presented. It was one of the first perfumes to make prominent use of aldehydes. In 1986 Jacques Polge reworked the composition as a fuller Eau de Parfum, which is the version this page refers to. A Parfum and an Eau de Toilette also exist, and they smell noticeably different.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Chanel stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Formal occasions and settings that call for something composed rather than playful are where it fits. Its powdery, aldehydic character reads as classic; wearers who associate that style with an older generation may prefer to look at N°5 L'Eau, a separate flanker.

Related scents

• Chanel No 5 L'Eau
• Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere
• Chanel No 19

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Notes: Aldehydes, Citrus Notes, May Rose, Jasmine, Vanilla

The top is effervescent and slightly soapy, with citrus notes lifting the aldehydes.

May rose and jasmine take over the heart, close-knit and rich, with a powdery texture that builds as it wears.

The drydown is rounded by vanilla; perfume databases also list sandalwood and vetiver in the base.

Which version of Chanel N°5 is this based on?

The Eau de Parfum from 1986. The 1921 Parfum and the Eau de Toilette are related but smell different, and N°5 L'Eau and Eau Première are separate flankers.

What are aldehydes?

Aromatic materials that give a clean, sparkling, slightly waxy lift. In N°5 they are the first thing most people notice.

Is N°5 powdery?

Yes, moderately. The rose and jasmine heart turns powdery as it settles, and the base is smooth rather than sweet.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Chanel and Chanel No 5 are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Chanel in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.