Lafayette Street Clones

"### How it Smells Game of Spades Wildcard opens with a respectable bergamot, though slightly rougher around the edges than Lafayette Street. The floral accord is present, but leans towards a generic sweetness rather than the defined bloom of the original. Coriander is noticeable, providing a needed spicy lift. The heart showcases a prominent apple note – fairly crisp, but a touch artificial. Ambroxan and vanilla attempt to mimic the smooth, creamy character of the original, but fall slightly short; there's a subtle synthetic hum. The base attempts to replicate the tonka bean and ambergris, settling into a woody drydown. Compared to Lafayette Street, Wildcard captures approximately 95% of the DNA, missing some of the refined nuances and smoother transitions. ### Final Thoughts Game of Spades Wildcard is a decent alternative for those seeking the Lafayette Street profile on a budget. While it lacks the depth and refinement of the original, the core elements are present. If Lafayette Street costs ten times as much, this is a reasonable substitution if you're okay with a slightly less polished presentation and shorter lifespan. Recommended for casual wear, especially for those newer to fragrances or those who prioritize cost-effectiveness. ### Performance Reality Check Longevity is moderate. I observed around 6 hours on skin with moderate projection for the first 2 hours before settling closer. Lafayette Street offers superior performance in both areas."

"### The Scent Profile Rock Street opens with a bright, bergamot blast, pretty similar to Lafayette Street. You get a hint of floral sweetness mixed with coriander. It's not quite as smooth; there's a *slight* synthetic edge compared to Bond No. 9's higher quality ingredients. The apple and ambroxan heart is where this shines, lending a modern, crisp vibe. As it dries down, the vanilla and tonka bean create a warm, ambery sweetness. This is where it deviates most from Lafayette Street; it's sweeter and less woody overall. I'd say it captures about 87% of the original's DNA, but the dry down leans a little more gourmand. ### The Performance Stats Performance is decent . I get about 6-7 hours on skin, with moderate projection for the first 2 hours. It settles closer to the skin after that, becoming a pleasant, subtle scent. It's definitely office-friendly and won't offend. ### Conclusion Rock Street is a solid alternative if you like the Lafayette Street vibe but can't stomach the price tag. It's a great daily driver for someone wanting a clean, modern, and slightly sweet scent. It's versatile enough for almost any occasion. If you're a fragrance snob, you might notice the slight differences. But for the average person, Rock Street offers excellent value and is a worthwhile pickup."

"### Notes & Nuances Avenue New York aims squarely for Bond No. 9's Lafayette Street. The opening gets close – you get the bergamot and that floral-coriander blend. However, it's immediately apparent this is a budget version. There's a slight synthetic "zing" that the original avoids. The heart introduces apple and vanilla, which are present in Lafayette Street, but the ambroxan here leans harsher. Where the original has smooth depth, Avenue New York is a bit flatter. The drydown shifts to tonka, ambergris (a synthetic version, obviously), and woody notes. It’s a decent attempt, landing around 87% similar to the original. The main difference is in the quality of ingredients. ### The Performance Stats Longevity is surprisingly respectable. I get about 6 hours on my skin with moderate projection for the first 2 hours. It then sits closer to the skin, becoming a pleasant skin scent. It's not beast mode, but it outperforms expectations. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? If you're curious about Lafayette Street but can't stomach Bond No. 9's price tag, Avenue New York is a viable option. It captures the general vibe . However, be aware of the synthetic edges, particularly in the opening. Is Lafayette Street ten times better? Objectively, yes, due to the quality. But is it ten times *worth* it? That's a personal decision. If you're on a tight budget and want a reasonably close approximation, this is a solid cheapie."

"### To Buy or Not to Buy? Z6 by Zoghbi offers a very respectable take on the usually very expensive Lafayette Street. It's a great option for the guy who wants to project an approachable confidence without breaking the bank. It's perfect for casual wear, dates, or even the office. If you crave the richer, smoother base and higher quality ingredients, invest in the original. But if you're content with a darn good impression and want to skip the financial sting, Z6 is worth a try. You'll smell good. You'll feel good. And your wallet will thank you. ### Notes & Nuances Z6 opens with a bright, bergamot-driven burst. It's quickly followed by a floral sweetness and a hint of coriander's spice. The original Lafayette Street has a sharper citrus, whereas Z6 softens the edges immediately. The apple note in the heart is noticeable, adding a youthful, almost candied touch alongside the ambroxan's modern musk. The dry down is where this fragrance shines, and stays closest to its inspiration; warm tonka bean mixes with ambergris and dry woods, creating a comfortable, slightly addictive base. However, a slight synthetic edge creeps in here that is absent in Bond No. 9's offering, giving it a 'scratchy' feel. I'd say it captures about 89% of Lafayette Street's vibe. ### Longevity & Projection Longevity is decent. I get a solid 6-7 hours on skin, with projection being moderate for the first two hours before settling closer. It's noticeable, but not overpowering. On clothes, it lasts much longer, easily making it through a work day."

"### How it Smells Rue Lafayette from Montagne is a pretty good attempt at cloning Bond No. 9's Lafayette Street. It's about 90% there. The opening is a bright, slightly floral bergamot with a hint of spice from the coriander. It’s pleasant, but the original has a smoother citrus blast. The heart develops with a noticeable apple note alongside the ambroxan. This is where it deviates a bit. Lafayette Street has a richer vanilla presence earlier on; Rue Lafayette's vanilla is more subdued until the drydown. The base is a familiar mix of tonka, ambergris, and woody notes. It's a touch synthetic in the opening, but this dissipates quickly. ### Longevity & Projection I get about 6-7 hours of wear from Rue Lafayette with moderate projection for the first 2 hours. After that, it sits closer to the skin. Not beast mode, but decent for a daily wear. It projects a respectable arm's length. ### The Verdict Overall, Rue Lafayette is a solid fragrance . If you like Lafayette Street but can't justify the cost, this is a worthy alternative. It's a versatile scent, good for the office or casual outings. This clone captures the essence well enough for most people. A great grab for those who enjoy sweeter amber fragrances. Buy this if you appreciate a good clone, but don't expect niche-level blending."

"### Notes & Nuances Z6 nails the Lafayette Street vibe pretty well. You get that bright, slightly floral bergamot opening with a herbal kick – coriander is definitely there. The heart leans into that sweet apple and vanilla combo, just like the Bond No. 9, but Z6 has a noticeable ambroxan push that gives it a sharper, more synthetic feel. The drydown is where it differs most. It's got a woody-tonka thing going on, but the ambergris isn't as refined or prominent as in the original. I'd say it's about 85% there, but the differences are noticeable up close. ### Projection Power Longevity is decent. I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first hour, creating a nice scent bubble, then it settles closer to the skin. It's definitely a workday appropriate level of performance. Won't fill a room but people standing close will notice. ### Final Thoughts Z6 by Zakat is a solid alternative if you're into Lafayette Street but don't want to drop the big bucks. Yes, it has a slightly synthetic edge, especially in the mid, but it captures the overall feel nicely. If you're looking for a spot-on dupe, this isn't it, but it’s a great daily driver. Grab Z6 for everyday wear and save your money for something else."