JERUSALEM — British researchers have discovered what sensible men have always known:
Striking the right balance between revealing too much and being too conservative in how much skin is on show has long been a dilemma for women when choosing the right outfit for a night out.
However, a study by experts at the University of Leeds has come to the rescue by calculating the exact proportion of the body that should be exposed for optimum allure…
Women who revealed around 40 per cent of their skin attracted twice as many men as those who covered up.
However, those who exposed any more than this also fared worse. Experts believe that showing too much flesh puts men off because it suggests they might be unfaithful.
Psychologist Dr Colin Hendrie, who led the study, told the Daily Mail: “Any more than 40 per cent and the signal changes from ‘allure’ to one indicating general availability and future infidelity.” (emphasis added)
Although I agree with the findings of the study, there are a few issues with the methodology. Of course, it is impossible to control for the hundreds of variables that occur during interpersonal reactions in a club. There are potentially untold numbers of reasons why one woman would be approached more or less often than another.
In addition, the intention of the men observed must be taken into account — were they looking for a one-night stand or something meaningful? It would have been impossible for the researchers to discern this. (More on this later.)
Still, the forest is correct even if they were some issues with the trees. Teenage girls and women who wear extremely-revealing clothing can always be categorized as one or more of the following:
- They have low self-esteem and want interest from men to make them feel better about themselves.
- They have low self-esteem and think their looks are the only positive quality they possess.
- They are — for lack of a better term — sluts who are looking for action.
- Service-sector employees like waitresses and bartenders who are looking for good tips.
As I noted in a prior post, teenage girls and women are much more attractive when they dress modestly and conservatively — what is unseen is always more sexy and alluring than what is seen. A sense of mystery creates desire. For example, I have always thought that Israeli girls in Jerusalem — where I once lived and will shortly live again — are generally much more attractive than the “hot” women in Israel in Tel Aviv. (The picture posted above is an example of the type of clothing that modern-Orthodox Israeli girls may wear.)
In addition, a conservatively-attired woman will attract a better class of men. The British researchers in the posted article noted that women in the club who covered up too much were approached less often. The reason is obvious: drunk guys in clubs are looking for one-night stands, and they know subconsciously that a modestly-dressed girl will likely not be interested in meaningless sex. (Not one of my married friends met his or her future spouse in a bar or club.) The researchers would have found that a conservative dress was more beneficial in a dating environment other than a bar or nightclub.
The cited study reports that women should leave forty percent of their skin uncovered if they want to attract attention in a club. I would posit that women should cover more if they want to attract a quality guy anywhere.
Related: Critiques of Feminism: Arguments Against Feminism Essay, Fashionable Modesty, and The Return of Modesty.
(Hat tip: Vox Day)
