You have to do more than just outshine the other bumbling bar patrons to impress a woman.
You see, attraction for females is weird and confusing and complicated. But there’s some good news: To win them over, you don’t have to be disarmingly good looking, have an eight-pack—or millions of dollars in the bank. Science proves there are some unexpected—even weird—behaviors, traits, and characteristics women find oddly charming in a man.
Check out 10 research-backed examples.
10 of the weirdest studies reveal what makes you attractive to women
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1 of 10
You’re Brooding
First, know that research published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology found females do find men who smile most attractive, but only if they’re looking for a long-term relationship. Makes sense: You’d want a warm, happy wife, too. But researchers also found women who want short-term relationships are most attracted to men who have “neutral” expressions (a.k.a. probably skulking in a corner at a bar) because, for some reason, this translates to greater masculinity.
2 of 10
You’re Older
Apparently women, for the most part, really do gravitate toward the George Clooney’s of the world, per research published in Evolutionary Psychology. A lot of it has to do with evolution: Men, unlike women, have a larger window of fertility. Plus, the older you get, the more time you’ve had to build independence, status, and become financially independent (something you’ll need if you do have kids)—all of which are hugely alluring to women.
3 of 10
You’re Rocking Some Facial Hair
Let’s be clear, when we say facial hair, we mean stubble and full beards: Mustaches will never be panty droppers. But, according to research published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, how you style your face fuzz can make you more attractive to women—depending on what they want. Females seeking flings are into stubble, while women who want long-term relationships are most drawn to full beards since they give the lumberjack vibe of I’m-a-manly-man-who-can-help-you-survive-and-provide-you-with-babies. Clean-shaven men were seen as less masculine and attractive. Try these 5 beard styles.
4 of 10
You’re a Distance Runner
Forrest Gump may not be your movie icon, but, according to a study from the University of Cambridge, you might want him to be. Distance runners are more apt to have a higher sex drive, sperm count, and be more attractive to women. In hunter-gatherer times, endurance was a desired trait, the researchers explain. (You know, to out-run all the sabertooth tigers…)20 things that 20 real women say make you manly
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You’re Charitable
You can’t change your face, but you can change your hobbies and be a more decent human being, which in turn can land you a wife, according to a new study in Evolutionary Psychology. When women were given the choice to choose a long-term partner who was altruistic or incredibly good looking, they opted for the charitable gents. Selfish dads and husbands aren’t desirable, FYI. And the opposite’s true for flings; women on the prowl for one-night stands couldn’t care less.
6 of 10
You’re a Saver, Not a Spender
Frugality probably isn’t the characteristic you’d expect women to find especially attractive in a guy, but that’s precisely what a study from the University of Michigan discovered. Women, no matter how old, value and are more drawn to men who aren’t big spenders. And the type of saver you are heightens or hurts this level of attraction. Experimental savers (i.e. someone who puts money aside for a trip abroad in the next few years) and investment-oriented savers (i.e. the guy saving for a down payment on a house) are leagues beyond materialistic savers (i.e. the dude saving to soup up his Jeep). Your ability to save speaks to your level of maturity, sense of control, and priorities.
7 of 10
You’re Musically Talented
A woman is more inclined to give you her number if you’re toting a guitar—even more so than if you were slinging around a gym bag, according to a study published in Psychology of Music. Of the 300 women who were approached by the same attractive man, over a third gave up their digits when the guy was carrying a guitar case, 14 percent responded positively when he was empty handed, and only 9 percent shared their number when a gym bag was in sight. If you’re musically gifted, women see it as a genetic advantage; you have an intellectual leg up on other guys. It doesn’t hurt your aura of coolness either.
8 of 10
You’re Risky (in a Good Way)
A University of Alaska at Anchorage study suggests you should take more “hunter-gatherer risks,” like handling a fire or dangerous animals (we’re not suggesting you seek out these experiences, but rather do your part should you end up in such a situation.) Women find a man to be more attractive when he engages in this type of “risk,” rather than engaging in low- or no-risk behaviors, or modern risks, such as driving without a seatbelt or lying at work.
9 of 10
You’ve Got a Bit of a Dad Bod
Okay, so this isn’t a study per se, but it is rooted in science. A big takeaway from the new book How Men Age is that when men experience a gradual physical decline after parenthood (meaning they’ve put on a few pounds) they’re actually more attractive to women and more likely to live longer than their skinnier counterparts. 12 real women on the least attractive body part on a man
10 of 10
You’re Wearing Deodorant
In a complicated dating world, something as simple as swiping on some antiperspirant can make you more alluring to women, according to a study published in Evolution & Human Behavior. Men who were regarded as having less masculine faces were deemed more confident after they rolled on the good-smelling stuff. There’s a catch, though: This isn’t the case if you’re already a hunk. Deodorant won’t ramp up your manliness or attractiveness, researchers found.
First, know that research published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology found females do find men who smile most attractive, but only if they’re looking for a long-term relationship. Makes sense: You’d want a warm, happy wife, too. But researchers also found women who want short-term relationships are most attracted to men who have “neutral” expressions (a.k.a. probably skulking in a corner at a bar) because, for some reason, this translates to greater masculinity.
You're Older
Apparently women, for the most part, really do gravitate toward the George Clooney’s of the world, per research published in Evolutionary Psychology. A lot of it has to do with evolution: Men, unlike women, have a larger window of fertility. Plus, the older you get, the more time you’ve had to build independence, status, and become financially independent (something you’ll need if you do have kids)—all of which are hugely alluring to women.
You're Rocking Some Facial Hair
Let’s be clear, when we say facial hair, we mean stubble and full beards: Mustaches will never be panty droppers. But, according to research published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, how you style your face fuzz can make you more attractive to women—depending on what they want. Females seeking flings are into stubble, while women who want long-term relationships are most drawn to full beards since they give the lumberjack vibe of I’m-a-manly-man-who-can-help-you-survive-and-provide-you-with-babies. Clean-shaven men were seen as less masculine and attractive. Try these 5 beard styles.
You're a Distance Runner
Forrest Gump may not be your movie icon, but, according to a study from the University of Cambridge, you might want him to be. Distance runners are more apt to have a higher sex drive, sperm count, and be more attractive to women. In hunter-gatherer times, endurance was a desired trait, the researchers explain. (You know, to out-run all the sabertooth tigers…)
You can’t change your face, but you can change your hobbies and be a more decent human being, which in turn can land you a wife, according to a new study in Evolutionary Psychology. When women were given the choice to choose a long-term partner who was altruistic or incredibly good looking, they opted for the charitable gents. Selfish dads and husbands aren’t desirable, FYI. And the opposite’s true for flings; women on the prowl for one-night stands couldn’t care less.
You’re a Saver, Not a Spender
Frugality probably isn’t the characteristic you’d expect women to find especially attractive in a guy, but that’s precisely what a study from the University of Michigan discovered. Women, no matter how old, value and are more drawn to men who aren’t big spenders. And the type of saver you are heightens or hurts this level of attraction. Experimental savers (i.e. someone who puts money aside for a trip abroad in the next few years) and investment-oriented savers (i.e. the guy saving for a down payment on a house) are leagues beyond materialistic savers (i.e. the dude saving to soup up his Jeep). Your ability to save speaks to your level of maturity, sense of control, and priorities.
You're Musically Talented
A woman is more inclined to give you her number if you’re toting a guitar—even more so than if you were slinging around a gym bag, according to a study published in Psychology of Music. Of the 300 women who were approached by the same attractive man, over a third gave up their digits when the guy was carrying a guitar case, 14 percent responded positively when he was empty handed, and only 9 percent shared their number when a gym bag was in sight. If you’re musically gifted, women see it as a genetic advantage; you have an intellectual leg up on other guys. It doesn’t hurt your aura of coolness either.
You're Risky (in a Good Way)
A University of Alaska at Anchorage study suggests you should take more “hunter-gatherer risks,” like handling a fire or dangerous animals (we’re not suggesting you seek out these experiences, but rather do your part should you end up in such a situation.) Women find a man to be more attractive when he engages in this type of “risk,” rather than engaging in low- or no-risk behaviors, or modern risks, such as driving without a seatbelt or lying at work.
You've Got a Bit of a Dad Bod
Okay, so this isn’t a study per se, but it is rooted in science. A big takeaway from the new book How Men Age is that when men experience a gradual physical decline after parenthood (meaning they’ve put on a few pounds) they’re actually more attractive to women and more likely to live longer than their skinnier counterparts.
In a complicated dating world, something as simple as swiping on some antiperspirant can make you more alluring to women, according to a study published in Evolution & Human Behavior. Men who were regarded as having less masculine faces were deemed more confident after they rolled on the good-smelling stuff. There’s a catch, though: This isn’t the case if you’re already a hunk. Deodorant won’t ramp up your manliness or attractiveness, researchers found.
