Any outfit can be improved by adding lace. Lace makes an outfit look ornate, eye-catching and more feminine. I have yet to meet a man who doesn't find it more attractive. Next time you buy something new, consider getting it with a lace fringe or overlay - or wearing one with it. I think you will be surprised by how much more attention you get because of it. If lace isn't possible, flowered patters are a close second.
(And no she isn't hotter on the left only because she is wearing hoop earrings - though she looks good in both pictures partially due to her heels and hair.)
Here is another example:
I realize there are probably instances when lace is inappropriate or excessive, but the point here is that you are probably not wearing enough of it, especially if you live in a sexually de-polarized country like the United States.
(And no she isn't hotter on the left only because she is wearing hoop earrings - though she looks good in both pictures partially due to her heels and hair.)
Here is another example:
I realize there are probably instances when lace is inappropriate or excessive, but the point here is that you are probably not wearing enough of it, especially if you live in a sexually de-polarized country like the United States.
Interesting...
ReplyDeleteI disagree on both examples.
In the top example the lace does nothing to counter the badly unfeminine hairdo and the boring, boyish, unflattering top. And frankly: lace on short pants looks like frilly knickers which makes me think "forgetful" and not "sexy"
The bottom example pitches "elegant" against "seductive" and in this case sexy elegance wins.
Seems to be a matter of taste rather than objectivity...
For the record: yes, I’m male and no, I’m not weirder than the next man.
Interesting.
DeleteI am WAY more into the shorts on the left and the dress on the right. Admittedly these aren't the best examples (it was extremely difficult to find "parallel" pictures), but I stand by the underlying point.
On this point I agree with YACV, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteLace can be incredibly 'sexual' and a woman needs to really know how to wear it well without disastrous consequences. In this case, context is everything.
In both the examples you give, the non-lace alternative is way better.
But this should not detract from your main point, of course, which is that feminine style trumps all.
I'd just be careful about whether lace is the material to do it with.
I remember when I was still a teen my boyfriend at the time bought me a black v-neck top with a lace trim at the "v". I lent it to my sister once..I think she was around 24-25 at the time and she came to me the next day and said.."oh I'm lending that top from now on, it's fantastic, I never got more men coming up to me"..I'm not sure whether it was to do with the cleavage exposure or the lace or I'd say a combination of both but it was certainly a top that was a go-to if you wanted attention. Maybe lace reminds men of lingerie.
ReplyDeleteKind of a stupid question, but what if a man's mother is quite unfeminine in demeanor/dress? Does that put a skew on his own preferences or expectations for women and what he finds attractive?
ReplyDeleteProbably, but I am not sure how.
DeleteWore a sweater with an overly flowery pattern. Got an above average level of attention from random guys on the street today. Not sure if its the sweater or the constantly opening jeans zipper....hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteThe lace do look great on the woman. But they also show more skin. That part do make them more appealing. More skin = less clothes to remove ;)
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend, a very manly guy, prefers girly girl outfits on me. Short frilly skirts, high heels, low cut shirts and yes, lace! Lace undies, bras, skirts. My ex husband preferred jeans and a tshirt. Men have different tastes. It's nice to embrace my femininity and I appreciate that my man la so attracted to it! Good post!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, what are your thoughts on pencil skirts?
ReplyDeleteA guy who appreciates lace? Wow :)
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of fabrics, would you classify leather as 'masculine'? I wear leather pants/leggins quite a bit, and my impression is that men like it. Like this http://bellemel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/RosieHuntingtonWhitelyleatherLeggings11.4.jpg
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan. Not sure what men in general think about that one though. I suspect it can be made to look good, but it has always seemed a little bit tacky to me.
DeleteInteresting. Since the blog advertises hoops, I am a bit surprised there is anything you label 'tacky'. I will ask around for other male opinions. I see female celebrities wear them all the time, but maybe I am influenced by a fashion fad.
DeleteFunnily enough, I watched a silly dating program tonight and the guy (English & Russian background - very good-looking)who picked the girl, didn't pick her (here I am sure) because she was wearing big hoop earrings. He said he thought they were scary. He also said he liked an intelligent, educated girl.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, when he posts, he post one man's opinions. Just because Andrew finds it attractive doesn't mean all men do. Take all of this with a grain of salt. Men are not some monolith who all grunt out exactly the same desires. I agree with him to an extent though, one should always make an effort to look nice. If you are wearing yoga pants and a tshirt with your hair in a bun every day, don't expect to get a lot of attention.
Delete...Though prime male staring ground is outside of my fitness studio, lots of women wearing lululemon tights walking in and out on the hour.
This was supposed to be under the big earring topic btw.
ReplyDeleteFlowered patterns seem a little grandma-esque though - do you disagree? Like when I think of flowered patterns and lace, I immediately think of my grandmother and cats.
ReplyDeleteMen will find lace more attractive because it gives them the illusion that they are getting a peek at something that isn't intended to be seen. It is about the tension between *intentionally* being shown something (not that sexy, because EVERYONE gets access to the view, big deal) and *accidentally* seeing something MORE than everyone else sees (hyper sexy, because access is VERY LIMITED). Robert Stoller explains this in detail in his book 'Sexual Excitement: Dynamics of Erotic Life'.
ReplyDeleteExamples: hyper-sexy/iconic: Jennifer Lopez's iconic Grammy's dress, and Marilyn Monroe in her white dress that flies up to show a bit of leg (and that teensy bit of undies). Conversely, what wasn't sexy: Janet Jackson's 'wardrobe malfunction'.
This principle can be applied to all sorts of clothing choices. A button up blouse that shows a sneaky bit of breast at the correct angle, sheer paneled clothing, etc. Stoller's theory is not mentioned enough, and it extends so much further into game theory as well... I think it's likely another element to why men find 'the girl next door' (i.e a good girl) more attractive for long-term relationships. They are getting access to something that not everyone can have, that not many have had, and that is psychologically more gratifying/rewarding to them than someone who they have seen be around the block.