Few fragrances say autumn quite like Maison Margiela's Replica By the Fireplace. Launched in 2015, it smells of a crackling log fire, roasted chestnuts and warm vanilla, and it has become a cult favourite every time the evenings draw in. The catch is the price: a 100ml bottle of the eau de toilette is listed at around £120 at UK retailers such as Cult Beauty, which is a lot for a scent you might mainly reach for from October to March.
What does By the Fireplace actually smell like?
Based on retailer and community note listings, the structure is roughly:
- Top notes: pink pepper, clove and orange blossom
- Heart notes: chestnut, guaiac wood and juniper
- Base notes: vanilla, Peru balsam and cashmeran
The overall effect is smoky, woody and gently sweet, with a cosy, comforting feel rather than anything sharp or loud.
Why people look for a By the Fireplace dupe
This is a seasonal, mood-driven scent, and many people would rather not spend £120 on a bottle they will mostly wear in colder months. An "inspired by" alternative lets you enjoy the same warm, woody-vanilla direction at a fraction of the cost, or try the style first before deciding whether to invest in the original.
Introducing Winter Warmer — Insp by Maison Martin Margiela By The Fireplace
Winter Warmer is our own take on the cosy fireside family: warm woods, spice and a soft vanilla-balsamic base. It is available as a 50ml Extrait de Parfum at £44.95, a 30ml at £34.99, a 15ml at £19.99, a 12ml oil roller at £19.99 and a 5ml sample at £14.99, so you can start small. It suits autumn and winter evenings, bonfire nights, and anyone who likes a comforting, slightly smoky vanilla.
Being upfront about the comparison
No "inspired by" fragrance is an exact clone or replica of the original, and we would never claim Winter Warmer is identical to By the Fireplace. Different ingredients and concentrations mean differences in detail, sweetness and development. What you can expect is a similar mood and fragrance family at a much friendlier price.
Longevity and projection
Winter Warmer is an Extrait de Parfum, so it is made to sit closer to the skin for longer than a typical eau de toilette. As a realistic guide, expect several hours of wear, with performance varying by skin type, climate and how you apply it. Spraying onto moisturised skin and clothing helps it last, and the roller is handy for topping up through the day.
The verdict
If you love the idea of a smoky chestnut-and-vanilla fireplace scent but not the £120 price tag, Winter Warmer is an easy, low-risk way to try the style. Start with the 5ml sample if you want to test it first.
Shop Winter Warmer — Insp by Maison Martin Margiela By The Fireplace
Enjoyed this guide? Follow us on TikTok at @defragrances26 for a new dupe guide every day, and share this post with a friend who loves fragrance.
Maison Margiela and Replica By the Fireplace are registered trademarks of Maison Margiela / its trademark owner. D&E Fragrances is an independent UK fragrance brand and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Maison Margiela. "Winter Warmer" is our own original composition, inspired by the popular fragrance family that By the Fireplace helped define.