The 10 Best Niche Fragrances to Own Before Everyone Else

If you love to smell really, really good—like, strangers-chase-you-down-the-street-to-ask-what-you’re-wearing good—you’ve come to the right place, especially if you want that status of olfactory charm without sharing it with the rest of the perfume-wearing masses. Of course, we love well-known signature scents from designers like Dior, Gucci, and Tom Ford, and we stand by our statement that every person who wears perfume should own at least one bottle of Chanel in their life (pick your poison here). But there is nothing chicer than finding the ultimate niche perfume that doesn’t hail from a super-famous designer label. If you’re looking for a unique, signature scent, you’re better off trolling the niche perfume market to find your fragrance soul mate. 

Unlike more mainstream perfumes, niche fragrances are produced on a much smaller scale, unavailable in the popular retailers you might spot at the mall, and aren’t household names. (Although, a few on our list may well get there.) Instead, you’ll typically find the best niche perfumes at a fancy fragrance boutique, a perfume specialist, or exclusively through their websites. Some might offer limited selections at super-upscale retailers like Saks, Neiman Marcus, or Bergdorfs. These scents are rare, *usually* expensive, and sometimes even a little bizarre in their inspiration. For example, one brand on our list, Serge Lutens, offers a fragrance inspired by the scent of teeth called Dent de Lait. Yes, really.