Christopher SheldrakeThe nose · 94 fragrances · also made Feminite du Bois (1992)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Serge Lutens · Sold as unisex
Bois Oriental
The scent of an old spice shop, where cinnamon and cardamom blend with the rich earthiness of sandalwood and cedar.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Bois OrientalPremium · $100–250
51%Similar accords, often for lessVibrant Leather Metal · ZaraBudget tier, under $40 · shares spices8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
NotesAs listed
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 1992 by Serge Lutens, Bois Oriental is a composition that marries woody and warm spicy accords with aromatic and powdery notes. Perfumer Christopher Sheldrake crafted this scent to evoke the essence of an oriental bazaar, where rich woods mingle with spices and the faint trace of incense. The fragrance opens with a fresh aromatic touch before descending into a heart of powdery warmth and finishing in a base that is both woody and spicy, creating a sense of depth and complexity.
Apply this fragrance to pulse points for a more intimate experience — it reads best close to the skin rather than in the air. The powdery heart requires some time to develop fully on the skin, so a few minutes before stepping out can enhance its depth.
Fig. 01 — Bois Oriental, Serge Lutens
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Christopher Sheldrake
From Serge Lutens' shadow to Chanel's spotlightChristopher Sheldrake is a British-born perfumer who studied art history before extensive travels sparked his interest in fragrance.
Designer Serge Lutens
More from the house · France
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalBois OrientalSerge Lutens · Premium · $100–250Zara · 2020Vibrant Leather MetalShares Spicesunder $40★ 3.98 (84)40%Match
Rabanne · 2024Million GoldShares Spices$40–100★ 3.60 (1,648)40%Match
Zara · 2018Brass DreamShares Virginia cedarunder $40★ 4.22 (18)
With Lancôme Ôff Now
Adds citrus and fresh; shares four accords.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 34%, disliked or hated by 6%.