Dolce & Gabbana released Sicily in 2003 as part of their early 2000s lineup, composed by Nathalie Lorson. It was eventually discontinued, which is why bottles now surface mostly at resellers like Luxury Perfume for around $60 rather than at department store counters. That scarcity is exactly why clone hunters go looking for it.
What Does Dolce & Gabbana Sicily Smell Like?
Sicily is an aldehydic white floral with one unusual signature: banana. The opening pairs aldehydes and bergamot with a soft, ripe banana note backed by honeysuckle and orange blossom. It smells clean and slightly soapy in the way classic aldehydic perfumes do, but the fruit keeps it from feeling strictly formal.
The heart moves into hyacinth, hibiscus, jasmine and rose, with a pinch of nutmeg adding a fresh spice that stops the florals from turning flat. By the drydown, Sicily settles into heliotrope, musk and sandalwood. Heliotrope gives it a powdery, faintly almond finish that wears close to the skin. Community descriptions consistently land on the same words: creamy, powdery, warm, and a little nostalgic. People who wore it in the mid 2000s recognize it instantly.
Performance
This is where expectations should be tempered. Community wear reports put longevity at roughly four to seven hours, with the first two hours carrying decent presence before the scent pulls inward. Projection is moderate to intimate. Sillage ratings from wearers skew low, meaning people near you will catch it but it will not fill a room.
For an eau de parfum that is modest, and it matters because the price reflects scarcity rather than concentration. Spraying on fabric or hair extends the life noticeably compared to bare skin. In hot summer weather the banana and aldehydes can sharpen, so lighter application works better in high heat.
Best Clone Or Alternative
Perfume Parlour Exotic Island For Women 0385 is the closest widely available match. Perfume Parlour markets it explicitly as being in the same olfactory family as Sicily, listing Sicilian bergamot, jasmine, pearl rose, sandalwood and heliotrope, which mirrors the original’s pyramid almost point for point. Pricing starts around $5 for small formats, with a 30ml EDP spray at roughly £11 and larger sizes available, against roughly $60 for surviving stock of the original.
Reviews from people who owned the genuine article are largely positive. Several say it is nearly indistinguishable, and a few report it lasts longer on their skin than the original did. One detailed comparison from a longtime fan notes the honest gaps: the banana note comes through stronger early on, and instead of the original’s musky, fresh complexity, it dries down to a softer soapy vanilla that sits fainter on skin.
If you never owned Sicily and just want the vibe, the alternative gets you there for a fraction of the cost. If you are chasing the exact vintage formula, expect about 85 percent of the experience, not a perfect copy.
When To Wear It
Sicily suits spring through fall best. The creamy floral character works for office wear, daily errands, dinners and occasions where you want something feminine that does not shout. Its intimate projection makes it safe for shared spaces. Evening use works too, since the powdery base reads warmer after dark.
Who Should Buy It
You will like this if you enjoy classic aldehydic florals, powdery finishes, and scents with a subtle fruity twist. It also fits anyone hunting discontinued favorites, since the clone market around it is active and affordable. Wearers who prefer understated, close-to-skin perfumes will find the performance profile a feature rather than a flaw.
Who Should Skip It
Skip it if you need strong projection and all-day longevity, because this will disappoint on both counts. If modern sweet gourmands are your baseline, the aldehydes and powder may read dated. Anyone sensitive to soapy accords should sample first, since both the original and the clone lean clean-floral rather than rich.
Final Verdict
Sicily is a well-built white floral with a memorable banana opening and a cozy powdery base, held back by average performance and discontinued status. At reseller prices the value case is weak unless nostalgia drives you. For everyone else, Perfume Parlour’s Exotic Island 0385 delivers most of the same experience for pocket change, making the clone the smarter first purchase and the original a luxury for devoted fans.