If you've ever spritzed Sì and wondered how something so soft could leave such a lasting impression, you're not alone. That distinctive combination of tart blackcurrant, warm rose, and a creamy vanilla-musk base turned it into one of the most recognised women's fragrances of the last decade. The problem is the price tag. At £70 or more for a mainstream bottle, it's not something most people reach for every morning. That's exactly the gap Inspired by Sì - 42 from The Essence Vault was built to fill.
What makes Sì so distinctive?
Sì sits in the floriental category, meaning it blends floral and oriental elements in a way that feels neither too sweet nor too sharp. The opening is where it makes its first impression: blackcurrant buds give it a slightly sharp, almost tart fruitiness that feels modern rather than sugary. That freshness fades into a rose-forward heart with a touch of freesia, keeping things feminine without going full florist. Then the base takes over, and this is where most people fall in love with it. Warm vanilla, patchouli, and a smooth musky accord settle on the skin and stay there for hours.
The result is a fragrance with real presence. It projects without being overpowering, works year-round, and sits close enough to the skin in its drydown that it becomes genuinely personal rather than performative. That balance is difficult to replicate, which is why so many alternatives fall flat by leaning too hard into either the fruit or the vanilla.
How does Inspired by Sì - 42 compare?
The Essence Vault's No. 42 is built around the same structural idea: a tart berry-fruit opener, a soft floral heart, and a warm musky base that anchors everything. Below is a side-by-side that shows where the two sit relative to each other.
| Feature | Sì (original) | Inspired by Sì - 42 (TEV) |
|---|---|---|
| Top notes | Blackcurrant, freesia | Blackcurrant, bergamot |
| Heart notes | Rose, freesia, neroli | Rose, jasmine |
| Base notes | Vanilla, patchouli, musk, ambroxan | Vanilla, musk, sandalwood |
| Fragrance family | Floriental | Floriental |
| Strength | Eau de Parfum | Eau de Parfum |
| Longevity | 6-8 hours | 6-8 hours |
| Typical price (100ml) | £70+ | Fraction of the cost |
The TEV version reads slightly warmer in its opening because of the bergamot alongside the blackcurrant, which gives it a touch more roundness before the rose takes over. The base is closely aligned: vanilla and musk do the same skin-hugging work you'd expect, with sandalwood adding a subtle creaminess in place of patchouli. For most wearers, the difference is minimal and mostly academic — the emotional experience of wearing both is very similar.
Who is this fragrance best suited for?
No. 42 suits women who want something feminine and warm without crossing into full gourmand territory. It's comfortable enough for daily wear but has enough warmth and sillage to hold its own in the evening. I'd reach for it in autumn and winter particularly, when the vanilla and musk feel most at home against cooler air, though the fruit-floral combination makes spring a strong contender too.
If you tend to favour warm, seductive fragrances over bright or citrus-led ones, this profile will feel immediately familiar. And if you've been drawn to similar bestsellers in the sweet-floral space, you'll likely find it sits comfortably alongside them.
A few alternatives worth considering
If No. 42 doesn't quite match what you're after, or you want to explore a few different directions before committing, here are three other options from the same fragrance territory.
Inspired by La Vie Est Belle - 144
No. 144 shares the warm iris and vanilla base of one of the most popular sweet-floral fragrances of recent years. Where No. 42 leans slightly fruity and rosy, this one is creamier and more powdery. A good option if you find the blackcurrant in the Sì profile a touch sharp.
Inspired by Flowerbomb - 14
No. 14 goes bigger in its floral-oriental delivery. It opens with a peppery-citrus note, then floods into a multi-floral heart before settling into a warm, slightly sweet base. Stronger projection than No. 42 and more of an evening feel, but it shares that warm femininity that makes Sì so popular.
Inspired by Good Girl - 81
For something slightly darker and moodier while staying in the same warm-floral family, No. 81 brings a jasmine-led heart over a coffee and tonka base. It's richer and more dramatic than No. 42, and works well for evenings when you want a little more presence.
Not sure where to start?
If you've never bought from The Essence Vault before, buying a full bottle without trying the scent first is a reasonable concern. The Discovery Set lets you sample a range of fragrances — including warm-floral profiles like No. 42 — before deciding which ones earn a permanent place in your collection. All fragrances are UK-made, vegan, cruelty-free, and backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's very little risk involved.
You can also browse the full best sellers for her collection if you want to see what other women are reaching for most.
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