Best Y Dupes & Alternatives 2026
Discover 10 affordable alternatives to Y by Yves Saint Laurent. Ranked by scent similarity with match scores, shared accords, and notes.
The best affordable alternatives to Y by Yves Saint Laurent are: 1. First Van Cleef & Arpels perfume by Van Cleef Arpels (68% match), 2. Knowing Estée Lauder perfume by Estee Lauder (66% match), 3. Paloma Picasso by Paloma Picasso (58% match), 4. Arpège by Lanvin (57% match), 5. Velvet Pure Dolce&Gabbana perfume by Dolce Gabbana (37% match).
Accord Profile
Green
100%
White Floral
69%
Earthy
66%
Woody
64%
Aldehydic
44%
Mossy
43%
Floral
40%
Fruity
39%
Affordable Alternatives
#168% matchMid-RangeIn curated similar list
Shared Accords
GreenWhite FloralWoodyAldehydicFloral
Shared Notes (13)
aldehydes, peach, hyacinth, orris root, ylang ylang +8
#266% matchMid-RangeIn curated similar list
Shared Accords
White FloralEarthyWoodyAldehydicMossy
Shared Notes (13)
aldehydes, green notes, plum, orris root, jasmine +8
#358% matchMid-RangeIn curated similar list
Shared Accords
EarthyWoodyMossyFloral
Shared Notes (10)
hyacinth, ylang ylang, jasmine, rose, oakmoss +5
#457% matchMid-RangeIn curated similar list
Shared Accords
White FloralWoodyAldehydic
Shared Notes (10)
aldehydes, honeysuckle, peach, jasmine, rose +5
#537% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
GreenWhite FloralWoody
Shared Notes (4)
galbanum, orris root, jasmine, vetiver
#637% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
GreenEarthyWoodyFruity
Shared Notes (2)
galbanum, vetiver
#736% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
GreenWhite FloralFruity
Shared Notes (5)
green notes, orris root, tuberose, rose, sandalwood
#834% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
GreenWhite FloralFloral
Shared Notes (2)
jasmine, amber
#932% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
GreenWhite FloralFloral
Shared Notes (4)
gardenia, jasmine, tuberose, amber
#1030% matchMid-Range
Shared Accords
GreenWhite FloralWoody
Shared Notes (2)
jasmine, vetiver
Community Sentiment Pulse — Y
Mixed30 opinions · Source: r/fragrance community
6.2
/10
YSL Y EDP is a polarizing fragrance with decent performance that receives external compliments but is personally disliked by many wearers. The fragrance is criticized for its sharp, piercing opening and synthetic character, though some appreciate it as a reliable, versatile everyday scent. Many recommend exploring alternatives like Dior Sauvage or trying the Le Parfum concentration instead.
Positive
- Good performance and projection
- Versatile and safe everyday fragrance
- Gets compliments from others
- Clean bottle design and decent value
Negative
- Sharp, piercing, and loud opening that can be obnoxious
- Strong apple and ginger notes feel screechy to some
- Synthetic and uninspired quality
- Highly divisive - not liked on skin by many despite external compliments
Frequently asked questions
What are the best dupes for Y?+
The top dupes for Y by Yves Saint Laurent ranked by accord-and-note similarity: First Van Cleef & Arpels perfume by Van Cleef Arpels (68% match); Knowing Estée Lauder perfume by Estee Lauder (66% match); Paloma Picasso by Paloma Picasso (58% match). Each match score reflects overlap in accord profile plus shared notes from Y's pyramid.
Are dupes of Y worth buying?+
Dupes target the same accord/note profile at a lower price. The trade-offs are usually shorter longevity, weaker projection, and simpler note development. The original Y scores 6.2/10 with 30 Reddit opinions, so you have a baseline to compare against.
How similar are these dupes to Y?+
Similarity is scored as: accord cosine (40 points), shared notes (30), curated similar-perfumes list (20), and rating proximity (10). A score of 70+ means a strong match; 50–70 is noticeable similarity with its own character; below 50 is a distant cousin.
What accords should I look for in a Y dupe?+
Prioritize these accords when evaluating a dupe: Green (100%), White Floral (69%), Earthy (66%), Woody (64%). The closer a candidate's accord strengths match, the closer it'll smell.