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Comparison

Afternoon Swim vs Symphony

Side by side. Scored honestly.

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Notes overlap

Side by side

Comparing the originals — price, breadth, listed-note depth.

Original price
$310
Afternoon Swim
$360
Symphony
Season coverage
2/4
Afternoon Swim
3/4
Symphony
Note depth
10
Afternoon Swim
6
Symphony
What Afternoon Swim smells like

Bergamot and mandarin hit first — sharp, zesty, clean — with a thread of ginger adding mild bite before mint and neroli soften the opening into something airy and cool. The aquatic and sea notes land in the heart as a breezy, slightly abstract oceanic accord rather than a salty or ozonic punch; jasmine keeps it polished without turning powdery. Projection is moderate, sillage stays close to skin, and the dry-down settles into a light musk that barely lingers. Effortless and undemanding — made for warm-weather days, casual wear, anyone who wants clean and fresh without complexity.

What Symphony smells like

The opening is cool and powdery, iris and aldehydes hitting together with that slightly soapy, almost metallic lift that classic aldehydic florals are known for — refined rather than sharp. Rose steps in to soften the heart without turning sweet, keeping things restrained and slightly abstract. The dry-down is where it earns its price: sandalwood and amber build a warm, skin-close base that holds the powder without turning gourmand, while musk keeps sillage intimate and long-lasting. Projection is moderate — it announces, doesn't broadcast — best worn in cooler months by anyone who wants something quiet and genuinely elegant, whether in a boardroom or a winter coat.

How they overlap

Afternoon Swim and Symphony share exactly one note (musk). The overlap is real but narrow — most of the wear experience will diverge.

The buying decision

Afternoon Swim is the cheaper original at $310 compared to $360 for Symphony — about 14% less. Afternoon Swim is built for spring/summer; Symphony for spring/fall/winter. Pick by when you'd actually wear it.

Best dupe for each

Free: The 30 Best-Tested Dupes Under $40

A community-scored cheat sheet you can download now — 30 designer scents matched for under $40, ranked by accuracy and longevity.