You see all these articles mentioning Burberry London – the *actual* Burberry London – perfume, cologne… there’s the women’s version, the men’s version, the “Her London Dream” (which, by the way, I personally think is kinda meh compared to the OG London). Then BAM! Out of nowhere, or maybe not so outta nowhere, you get these “inspired by” fragrances. It’s like, come on, we all know what’s going on here, right?
I mean, the OG London for Men is, like, a classic. It’s that spicy, oriental thing that just *works*. Antoine Maisondieu, that guy knows his stuff. Now, some company, probably saving a boatload on licensing fees, decides, “Hey, let’s make something *similar*! But, ya know, without, like, actually paying Burberry.” *wink wink nudge nudge*
And don’t get me wrong, I get it. Perfume can be expensive! Burberry ain’t exactly bargain-basement prices. But is it REALLY the same? I highly doubt it. It’s gotta be a compromise, right? Like, maybe they skimp on the quality of the ingredients. Or maybe the scent just doesn’t last as long. (I’ve totally bought dupes before, and let me tell you, the longevity is ALWAYS the first thing to go. Ugh.)
And then you have all these articles just casually mentioning them in the same breath! Like, Burberry is closing London Fashion Week (fancy!), and then *BAM*, right below it, “Burberry London Men (Inspired by) – From R 0.00.” It’s like they’re trying to sneak it in there, hoping you won’t notice the difference. Sneaky, sneaky.
Look, I’m not saying ALL “inspired by” fragrances are terrible. Some might be okay. Maybe they’re a decent alternative if you’re on a tight budget. But just be aware of what you’re getting. You’re not getting the real deal. You’re getting something… *inspired* by the real deal. It’s like buying a knock-off handbag. It *looks* kinda similar, but you know, deep down, it’s just not the same.
